By Elton Gomes
Since different states and union territories issued driving licences in its respective formats, considerable confusion prevailed among the government and traffic police. According to new data, more than 25% Indians hold more than one driving licence. The government is now working on issuing a uniform driving licence across all states and union territories, as per a report in the Times of India.
What changes are expected?
As early as July 2019, the proposed uniform driving licences issued by RTOs across India will reportedly carry the same look. This means that all Indian driving licences will have the same format, same colour, same design, and same security features. In addition, the new driving licences will also be embedded with a SIM card-like microchip and QR codes.
The Times of India report indicated that similar to metro cards, the new driving licences will be equipped with near-field communication (NFC) feature that will enable traffic cops to access the license details easily. The new licenses will also feature the National and State emblems along with the name of the issuing authority.
Furthermore, the uniform driving licenses will also feature the blood group and declaration for organ donation. Other details, which are similar to those on the current driving licences, will stay as it is, and the new licenses will include the category of vehicles for which the license is valid.
How will the new process help
The Centre’s proposed move over a uniform driving license comes soon after transport minister Nitin Gadkari’s confirmation that the Ministry of Road Transport is working on a new database. This database is said to help in reducing data redundancy of driving licenses and will reduce the multiplicity of driving licenses. Since having more than one driving licence is illegal, the database will help the government in reprimanding people holding more than one driving licence.
A report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways further confirms that more than 32,000 new driving licences are issued daily in India, while over 43,000 vehicles are registered every day. The implementation of the new process will see the issuance of new driving licences. Anyone who wishes to renew or re-register their licence will by default obtain the new driving licences and RC for their vehicles.
The Central government has already begun the groundwork to implement this new system, and it proposes to introduce the system by July 2019. The cost of shifting to the new system and issuance of the new smart driving licence will not be more than Rs 20, and it has been said that state governments will be given enough time to introduce the new process.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius