The time to obtain a driving licence could possibly get pushed by several weeks after many public vehicles department (PVD) offices in Kolkata and its adjoining areas decided to reduce the number of applicants for the final driving tests.
The decision to cut down on the number of applicants comes at a time when Covid cases have been rising across all the offices of the transport department.
The backlog will be cleared quickly by adding extra numbers per slot once the Covid infection curve takes a downward slope, an official said.
Against the usual average of around 100-150 applicants a day, some PVDs were bringing the number down in a way so that the driving tests would last for around 40-45 minutes and the entire process was wrapped up within an hour.
The number of applicants now is around 75.
Normally, these tests are at least an hour-and-a-half affairs with applicants waiting in a long queue.
“The driving tests have been put on hold in Howrah because many officers are down with infection,” said a senior official of the transport department.
“In other offices, we are trying to tweak the number of applicants per slot while accommodating everyone who were turning up for their tests from their previous bookings,” he added.
There are two steps to bagging a driving licence — first involves getting a learner’s licence for the lessons followed by the permanent one based on the final driving test.
Unlike before, applicants can apply for learner’s licence by taking an online test and then book a slot for the final test.
Applicants for new driving licences need to turn up physically for the final driving tests, which are held at designated spots usually in the second half of the day in presence of senior officials of the transport department.
At Beltala PVD in Bhowanipore the tests, for instance, are conducted at Maddox Square. The sprawling office compound of the PVD at Kasba serves as the venue for the tests on concrete surface.
“Across all offices, assistant regional transport officers, motor vehicles inspectors and several other senior officials have either fallen ill or have just recovered from a bout of the infection,” said a senior officer of the transport department. “We are trying our best to ensure that tests are held regularly. Even if there is a delay, it won't be more than a few weeks.”
The footfall in different transport offices has come down drastically over the last few days with many opting to stay away. Officials said the crowd at counters comprises largely those who may end up attracting a penalty for late payment of certain fees.
There are two steps to bagging a driving licence — first involves getting a learner’s licence for the lessons and followed by the permanent one based on the final driving test.
Unlike before, applicants can apply for learner’s licence by taking an online test and then book a slot for the final test.
Applicants for new driving licences need to turn up physically for the final driving tests, which are held at designated spots usually in the second half of the day in presence of senior officials of the transport department.
At Beltala PVD in Bhowanipore the tests, for instance, are conducted at Maddox Square. The sprawling office compound of the PVD at Kasba serves as the venue for the tests on concrete surface.
“Across all offices, assistant regional transport officers, motor vehicles inspectors and several other senior officials have either fallen ill or have just recovered from a bout of the infection,” said a senior officer of the transport department. “We are trying our best to ensure that tests are held regularly.”
The footfall in different transport offices has come down drastically over the last few days with many opting to stay away. Officials said the crowd at counters comprises largely those who may end up attracting a penalty for late payment of certain fees.
