PUNE: The state transport department is working on a plan to make tests for permanent licence more stringent.
The plan to set up 22 automated driving test track (ADTT)s across the state has been delayed due to the pandemic said state transport commissioner Avinash Dhakne.
The decision to come up with ADTTs was taken late last year and officials had then said that the new tracks would be operational by 2022.
Another official told TOI that since the learner’s licence test has gone online, the permanent licence test needed to be stricter.
“Presently, permanent licence seekers have to manoeuvre along the test track and convince the RTO inspector that they have control over the vehicle on any road (straight or bumpy), know how to park a vehicle and get it out of a parking area and, recognize road signs and signals.
There will be certain additions to the test which are being discussed,” he said.
Sources said early discussions touched upon including a written test before anyone goes for the permanent licence test.
In March this year, there was talk of providing driving simulators at all the RTO offices across the state.
“There have been incidents where learner’s licence seekers were using dummy candidates for online tests.
There are middlemen who are contacting the examinees and offering to take the exam for money.
The transport department is developing an artificial intelligence-based system which will tighten this process.
A system is being developed wherein people appearing for the examination have to keep the web camera on and IP addresses can be checked,” the official said.
In Pune, permanent licence tests for two-wheelers are conducted at the Alandi Road RTO facility and tests for four-wheelers take place at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Pimpri Chinchwad.
“In Pune the tracks are sensor-enabled.
If more such tracks come up in other parts of the state, getting a permanent licence will not be an easy job,” a source in the Pune RTO told TOI.