Unique number to counter fake DLs

 The unique number in the driving licence (DL) will be a permanent one (like Unique Identity number given by Aadhaar or Unique Identity Number Authority to every citizen). It can be fed to the computers of respective Regional Transport Offices (RTO) that will be linked to a master server based in Delhi under the Union Ministry Road Transport and Highways and connected to RTOs across the country.

If a person loses his driving licence, he would get a duplicate card if he produces the unique number. As the photo and biometric details of the driving licence are stored in the computer, the person cannot hoodwink the authorities to get fake driving licence.

Details of traffic offences can also be stored in the DL and penalty points can be added to the particular licence. This can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence on accumulation of a prescribed number of points. The unique number will also prevent a person from getting more than one licence in any other state once the licence is cancelled or suspended. This means, the unique number will catch you if you committed any traffic offence.

These are some of the recommendations made by the S Sundar Committee in a bid to streamline the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. The Committee was set up by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under the chairmanship of the retired IAS officer following the suggestions by a parliamentary panel to comprehensively review the Act and incorporate the practices followed in Japan and some of the Europian countries to prevent traffic violations and improve the road safety.