A woman learns driving in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 14: Long queues to seek learner’s driving licence will be passé as the state transport department has decided to introduce online applications. Once a form is submitted online, the candidate will also be given a date to take the test.

The system will be introduced at regional transport offices (RTO) in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Khurda from May 19. The remaining RTOs will come under this scheme by May 26. The National Informatics Centre has developed the online application-cum-appointment system.

The applicants need to log in to the website https://sarathi.nic.in and select their nearest RTO office. Then they need to fill up form No. 2 online to select an appointment slot for learner’s licence test according to their convenience.

After submitting the form, the system will generate an acknowledgement slip. The applicant needs to carry the printed form along with the acknowledge slip to the cash counter for payment of fees as applicable on or before the date of the test.

Alternatively, the applicant can come to the help desk of the concerned RTO to get the learner’s licence form and pay the fee at cash counter to register his application and to get an appointment.

A transport department official said that verification of documents submitted for proof of address and age was not necessary as these would be self-attested.

“However, these documents should be verified by the concerned official within 15 days from the date a learner’s licence is issued. The final driving licence would be issued only after verification of documents,” said regional transport officer of Bhubaneswar Lal Mohan Sethy.

The applicant needs to appear for a computerised test and would be issued a learner’s licence only after passing it.

The transport department has asked all the RTOs to create awareness about the facility through banners and other media. Similarly, the transport department has asked the RTOs to install computers, along with Internet connectivity, for public use during the initial three months of introduction of the system.

At present, both the city RTOs receive more than 300 applications for learning licence everyday. For this, they have to turn up physically to fill the application forms and get an appointment for the driving test.