You may soon get a driving licence without a test if you learn at an accredited training centre

New centres will be equipped with simulators and dedicated driving test track to provide high quality training to candidates

The road ministry on Friday notified rules for accredited driver training centres where candidates will be provided high-quality driving courses, and once test is cleared, they will be exempted from driving test at the time of obtaining driving licence.

These centres will be equipped with simulators and dedicated driving test track to provide high-quality training to candidates, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) said, adding that remedial and refresher courses, as per the requirements under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, can be availed at these centres.

The ministry has "notified rules mandatory for accredited Drivers Training Centres. These rules will come into effect from 1st July, 2021. This will help in imparting proper training and knowledge to candidates who enrol at such centres", a statement said.

The candidates, who successfully pass the test at these centres, will be "exempted from the driving test requirement" at the time of applying for driving licence, which is currently being taken at the regional transport offices.

"This will help the drivers in getting the driving licence after completing training from such accredited driving training centres," the statement said. These centres will be allowed to provide industry-specific specialised training as well, the ministry said, adding that shortage of skilled drivers is one of the major issues in the Indian roadways sector and a large number of road accidents occur due to lack of knowledge of road regulations.

Section 8 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 empowers the central government to make rules regarding accreditation of driver training centres.

According to the notification, an accreditation granted for accredited driver training centres shall be in force for a period of five years and may be renewed.

The duration for light motor vehicle driving course in accredited driver training centres is 29 hours in the span of maximum 4 weeks from the date of commencement of the course, the notification said, adding that the course will to be divided into theory and practice.

Likewise, the duration for medium and heavy motor vehicle driving course in accredited driver training centres is thirty eight hours in the span of six weeks.

"These are to be divided into two segments, theory and practical," the notification said.

Drivers will also be taught some basic aspects about ethical and courteous behaviour with other road users.

Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) senior fellow and coordinator S P Singh in a statement welcomed the notified rules for accredited driver training centres by the road ministry.

However, Singh pointed out that in the notified rules, the minimum educational qualification for drivers has been dropped, which was Class 8th passed.

"A well-educated person should be having better skill imparting and knowledge of road rules and therefore... There should be a minimum educational qualification of 12th class pass as the country has millions of educated unemployed and the road transport sector needs educated and skilled drivers for efficient and safe driving," he said.