Residents of the state capital can now hope to get learner’s driving licence at the click of mouse.

The transport department is in the final stage of developing a portal, which would all-ow applicants take an online test and get learners’ licences without even visiting the district transport office once.

“The department is working on a project to develop an online system for application and issuance of learner’s driving licence to simplify the existing procedure. The new process would allow us to get rid of touts, who get hold of the applicants once they reach the district transport office. The software for the online system has been developed by National Informatics Centre ,” a transport department officer said.

On the procedure to be followed on the upcoming portal, the officer said: “Once an applicant visits the web portal, he or she has to fill up a form and furnish personal details. After submitting the form, the applicant has to take an online test. The test will comprise 100 questions related to driving. Most questions are likely to be of multiple answer type and the applicant has to select the correct option. If the applicant answers 60 answers correctly, a certified copy of the learner’s licence having a unique number would be generated. The applicant can take a print-out of the copy and use it for six months.”

Sources said the new system was likely to get rid of the touts once the new system was in place. According to sources, the office at present issues around 150 learners’ licences a day. “Initially, we would launch the service as a pilot project for areas covered under the jurisdiction of the district transport office, Patna. We are trying to launch the portal in October. The learners’ licences would be initially issued for two-wheelers and light motor vehicles. We may launch the service in major districts of the state by December depending upon the response in Patna,” the transport department officer said.