As Kerala revamps licence test modalities, driving schools go on strike; all you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Several driving school unions have challenged the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government’s decision to completely revamp the driving licence test in Kerala. The test has been made more rigorous and challenging for aspirants now.

The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department is implementing the new reforms from Thursday, May 2.

Several driving school associations, including unions affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the All Kerala Driving School Owners Association have boycotted driving tests across the state for the day, according to reports.

The unions have started a state-wide strike and demanded withdrawal of the circular by the state government, PTI reported.

The union leaders have claimed that they are seeking more time for its implementation and are not against the new reforms.

They added that their main opposition was to the directives to install a dashboard camera on vehicles used for learning and testing. Besides this, they are also against the ban on vehicles older than 15 years for testing and learning.

“We have not been given any training as to how to conduct the new tests, and no infrastructure has been prepared for the conduct of the new tests,” Unni, a member of the All Kerala Driving School Owners’ Association, told PTI.

He stated that they are opposing the “haste of the government in implementing these reforms,” adding that a case in this regard is already pending before the Kerala High Court.

Earlier, the association challenged the circular in the High Court, stating their agitation would continue until the circular was withdrawn.

Interestingly, in Kerala’s Kasaragod region, the driving tests have been suspended until May 24 as applicants have received a message from the Transport Department rejecting their application citing COVID-19 as the reason, Onmanorama reported.

At the Muttathara testing ground in Thiruvananthapuram, six applications had registered for the driving test on Thursday, but none of them were able to complete it as they were blocked by protestors.

“They were blocked by the protestors, and we could not conduct the tests… The applicants could not enter the testing ground,” Venu, Motor Vehicles’ Inspector, said.

Meanwhile, the new learners have welcomed the government’s decision regarding new reforms. They have said that it will improve driving skills and road behaviour.

The circular by the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department was issued on April 4, amending the conditions for the driving licence test, the news agency reported.

As per the new rules, a candidate will be required to undergo several real-life driving challenges to secure a pass to earn a licence.

What are theChanges in driving test

The circular states that it will be mandatory to conduct the road test on a road with busy traffic. Also, the tests will be held on angular parking, parallel parking, zig-zag driving, and gradient testing before coming to the ‘H’ test on the ground.

Further, it has been made mandatory to conduct a maximum of 30 driving tests per day, including 20 new and 10 from the earlier failed batch.

To avail of a two-wheeler driving licence, an individual will be allowed to use only motorcycles with gear pedals on the leg above 95 cc during the test. Also, no electric cars or automatic cars will be allowed during the test to obtain a four-wheeler driving licence.

Moreover, it has mandated a dashboard camera and a vehicle location tracking device on the light motor vehicle that will be used for testing. These devices will have to be installed by the driving school owner.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow