Pune: Citizens in Pimpri-Chinchwad are facing prolonged delays in obtaining learner's driving licenses due to limited staff and a restrictive quota system.
Applicants now have to wait eight to nine days to complete the driving test, a situation attributed to the inadequate number of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors available to conduct these tests.
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pimpri-Chinchwad, which caters to various services such as the issuance of learner’s and permanent driving licenses, has been receiving a high volume of applications daily. However, the limited quota for learner’s licenses has caused significant bottlenecks, leading to a backlog of applications pending for up to ten days.
Officials at the RTO have acknowledged the delays, citing the shortage of staff as a major factor. Currently, only four Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors are tasked with conducting the driving tests and distributing the licenses. This understaffing has resulted in an increased workload and extended processing times.
Both applicants and the Motor Driving Association have expressed their frustration with the delays and are calling for an increase in the quota for learner’s licenses. They argue that this will help reduce the waiting period and prevent further inconvenience.
In addition to the delays, applicants are also facing longer waiting times during the driving test itself, with some spending up to two and a half hours just to complete the test. This has led to a call for more efficient scheduling and the possibility of conducting driving tests closer to the RTO, as was previously the practice.
Adding to the applicants' woes, the e-KYC process mandated by the RTO for license applications has been fraught with issues. Frequent changes and technical difficulties in the e-KYC system have left many applicants frustrated, with some preferring to submit their applications in person at the RTO office.
Deputy Regional Transport Officer Rahul Jadhav has indicated that discussions on increasing the license quota are expected to take place by the end of the month, after which further action will be determined.