Mumbai: You can fix a date for driving licence renewal online from Sept 15

The new rule is aimed at bringing transparency and providing better services to the citizens, besides keeping agents and touts at the bay.

The Tardeo RTO has made online appointments compulsory for licence renewals and issuing of duplicate ones.

The-RTO-office-in-Tardeo-wore-a-deserted-look-after-the-agents-services-were-discontinued-inside-the-RTO-premises-in-Mumbai-Anshuman-Poyrekar-HT-photo

The new rule is aimed at bringing transparency and providing better services to the citizens, besides keeping agents and touts at the bay.

After the success of online booking of appointments for learning and permanent driving licences, the Tardeo RTO is adding the existing users to the system from September 15. The users seeking renewal of licence or duplicate ones will have to compulsorily take the appointments online.

RTO officials claim Tardeo is the first RTO in Maharashtra to implement this system. “People will get better services through this system; their time will be saved. On the other hand, it will help us use our existing manpower to improve services,” said an RTO official, who did not wish to be named.

Motorists have been demanding this facility for a long time now. The system, however, has shortcomings. It will prove to be hurdle for taxi, truck and autorickshaw drivers as they may not be familiar with the technology to book online appointments.

Online appointments can be booked by visiting www.sarathi.nic.in developed by National Informatics Center. According to RTO officials, the procedure of taking appointments will be same as that of getting new driving licences.

After completing the application process, people will have to print the slip procured online and attach it with the application and produce it at the RTO on the day of appointment. The forms are also available on www.mahatranscom.inlicence.aspx.