Test to get learner’s licence to become longer, tougher

Transport dept to double the no. of questions in computerised test, drops simple questions.

From the next month, getting a learner’s license from regional transport offices (RTO) won’t be easy. Candidates appearing for computerised learner’s licence tests would have to face double the number of questions, and tougher ones too.

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The transport department has decided to increase the number of questions to 20 in place of the existing 10 questions. According to sources, the transport commissioner’s office had appointed a committee of officials to review the department’s question bank of 250 questions.

Acting on recommendations of the committee, simple questions which candidates could answer easily were replaced by tougher questions about mandatory signs, informative signs and cautionary signs, so as to prevent candidates without proper knowledge of traffic signs and rules from securing a licence.

Confirming the development, transport commissioner VN More said: “It will take another month to make the new process applicable at RTOs in Mumbai and other parts of the state.” For securing the licence, candidates will have to answer 60% or 12 questions correctly.

Transport authorities issue learner’s licences after conducting test of knowledge on road safety rules and traffic signs as prescribed in Central Motor Vehicle Rules-1989. Out of around 50 RTO and deputy RTOs in the state, computerised learner’s license test facility is available at 26 places.

A senior transport department official told HT that they recently completed successful trials for the revised computerised learner’s licence test at Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO. Trials will now be conducted at Pune RTO before introducing it at other RTOs in the state, he added.

RTO officials and experts in the field say that the move should have been taken long back. Defensive driving expert P Helekar said: “Most drivers are unaware of the traffic rules and regulations, and even traffic signs. Now, candidates will have to keenly study them before appearing for the test.”