SMS alerts to make driving licence renewal a lot easier

After rising number of complaints of fake local addresses being used for getting a local driving licence (DL), the transport authority has decided to expedite the process to clear upcountry applications.

After rising number of complaints of fake local addresses being used for getting a local driving licence (DL), the transport authority has decided to expedite the process to clear upcountry applications. It has started using an SMS service to authenticate such licences from the Ministry of Surface Transport & Highways.

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The same procedure is being followed for registering vehicles from other states.

Against 4-6 days taken for a local learner licence, renewing a DL in a different state requires an NOC from the previous issuing authority. The lengthy process would often take months.

"Earlier, we would ask the applicant to get an NOC from the respective state. It would take months and, sometimes, a reply would never come. This would delay the whole renewal process," said S Duhan, sub-divisional magistrate, Gurgaon, who heads the driving licences and vehicles registration authority.

He said that this would force applicants to use fake local addresses.

"To our shock, we found that new DLs and RCs sent to the applicants through Speed Post would return as the address would be a vacant plot. Applicants would file fake addresses to expedite the process of getting a local license. Now, we simply send an SMS at the number registered with the data base of the ministry of road transport and highways. We then get an immediate reply confirming whether the applicant's DL or RC is authentic," he added.