Transport dept. to put brakes on impersonation in learner’s licence test

Practice became common after test shifted to online mode following pandemic

The spate of complaints about impersonation becoming commonplace after the learner’s licence test shifted to online mode following the pandemic, and unscrupulous driving schools making undue gain by exploiting the new system has prompted the Transport Department to probe alternatives, to usher in the much-needed accountability in the conduct of the test.

“It has come to our notice that many driving schools are making undue monetary advantage, including by helping arrange people who are well-versed in traffic rules, to impersonate on behalf of candidates who have applied for learner’s licence. The process has been set in motion to overcome this, considering the implications on road safety when applicants who have little or no knowledge of traffic rules and vehicles take to the road,” said a senior official of the department.

He refused to confirm whether the issuance of learner’s licence will return to the pre-pandemic offline mode, when candidates had to attend the test at RTO and Sub-RTO offices under the direct supervision of Motor Vehicles Department personnel.