Latest news with #DLs
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Traffic violation may earn negative points, lead to DL suspension & cancellation
Representational Image NEW DELHI: Aiming to rein in errant drivers and repeat offenders, the road transport ministry is planning to introduce a negative points system on driving licences (DLs) for offences such as jumping signals and speeding. Once the accumulated negative points cross the defined threshold, the DL can be suspended or cancelled. These negative points would be in addition to existing fines and penalties. The ministry shared the overall framework of the proposal, as a part of overhauling the DL regime, at a brainstorming session on road safety with stakeholders, including state govt representatives, experts and non-govt organisations this week. Countries such as Australia, UK, Germany, Brazil, France and Canada use a point system to track and penalise repeat offenders. Officials said the 'demerit and merit' point licencing system will be included in the Motor Vehicles Act when it seeks amendments to the law in the next couple of months. 'While demerit points will be assigned for violation of traffic rules, merit points would be rewarded for good driver behaviour and to good samaritans,' said an official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Increase in fines and penalties introduced since 2019 has not brought the desired results as road deaths and injuries have increased to more than 1.7 lakh in a year. Sources said the extended penalty which can result in suspension or cancellation of DLs would be a bigger deterrent going by the global experience. They added that with the increased electronic recording of offences now the enforcement agencies concerned can track the penalty points using handheld devices for taking immediate action. In 2011, an expert committee on 'Review of MV Act' headed by former road transport secretary S Sunder had recommended the 'penalty point system for drivers' with details of such points for every offence. It had recommended suspension of DLs for one year, if the total number of accumulated points crossed 12 in three years. If a driver whose licence has been suspended, again accumulated 12 points, his DL would be cancelled for five years. The govt's plan also includes mandatory driving test for DL holders applying for renewal before expiry of existing licence, if they have violated traffic rules. At present, driving test is exempted if one applies for DL renewal before its expiry. 'The moves are aimed at enhancing overall road safety,' said another official. The ministry will also make mandatory provision of obtaining learners licence for electric vehicles of less than 1,500 watts and maximum design speed of 25 kmph. It will introduce graded eligibility for obtaining learners' licences.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Printing of 4.5 lakh driving licences, RCs pending, Punjab informs HC
A month after the Punjab government claimed that it had purchased chip cards privately to print driving licences and registration certificates of vehicles, it told the Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday that printing of 4.5 lakh DLs and RCs was pending. Hearing the PIL on long wait for these documents in Punjab, the High Court has ordered the government to file a reply on the slow process of issuing DLs and RCs of the vehicles. Filing the petition, Mohali resident Neha Shukla told the High Court that the owner of the vehicle has to get the registration done within one month. However, people in Punjab have to wait for months for RC. The contract of M/s Smart Chip Private Limited had to come to an end in July this year. But the company exited prematurely in November last year, leaving the government and the licence and registration certificate holders in the lurch. Ever since, the government has not been able to provide the DLs and RCs on smart cards. The government tried to allot the contract twice, with tender floated twice but the process got caught up in litigation. The issue reached the High Court with another private company opposing it. The government told the HC that there was a pendency of 6 lakh RCs but due to the efforts of the government, only 4.5 lakh cases are now pending and the backlog is being cleared. The government said that 5,000 applications are being processed every day. It said that RCs that are being approved are available on platforms like Digi Locker and M Parivahan. The petitioner said that in this way these vehicles can be driven only in Punjab, there is a risk of challan if they are taken anywhere outside. The HC asked why the government is not getting this work done by people on contract. The court has ordered the Punjab government to file an affidavit regarding this matter. The pendency in printing of these DLs and RCs is an issue in the state after a company allotted the project to print these documents and conduct driving tests exited prematurely in November last year when its contract was to end in July this year, leaving the government in the lurch. Kamal Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council of the Government of India, said that pendency was not the only issue but people were waiting for the driving tests also to be conducted. 'There was a long wait. The government is unable to provide even as basic services as these to people. There is no plan to regularise this. People are suffering badly,' he said. He added that if they have been able to purchase the chip cards, what is stopping them to print fast and clear the backlog. Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said, 'We have been able to purchase chip cards as Regional Transport Authority. Now, we are printing on our own. We are printing about 6,000 to 8,000 cards every day. We have cleared a backlog of 1.5 lakh in a month's time. Also, we have now worked out a system. We will call tenders for two licence holders each for printing and conducting driving tests after learning from our bad experience. Our contractor ran away. We have blacklisted the company. They cannot apply for any tender. Also, we have withheld their payments to the tune of Rs 7 crore for ditching us,' he said. He added, 'Now with two license holders each, our work will go on even if a company exits prematurely.' Bhullar said they will only invite the tender for printing now, 'We had a rider that a company having three-years experience would be considered for the tender allotment. A private company, having a year's experience, went to the high court and git a stay. Now, we are saying we are ready to consider a company having one year experience.' Soi has been demanding that the government should award the contract to Government of India's NICSI so that the backlog is cleared. But the government asked the company to give them a security deposit. And hence, it did not proceed further.
