Bhubaneswar, May 23: You don't need to make repeated trips to the regional transport office (RTO) to get a driving licence anymore. The system has been made easy with the introduction of the online application process.

The online driving licence application process was introduced at the RTO-II here today on a pilot basis and it would be implemented at other RTOs across the state in phases.

Even the permanent licence can now be procured through the Internet. The initiative aims to check unnecessary harassment from brokers and ensure transparency in the process.

"Today, around 22 persons applied for the driving licence online at this office. As soon as more people are aware of this process, they will apply online in greater numbers in coming days," said regional transport officer S.K. Behera.

Behera said that according to the online procedure, a person has to apply for a learner's licence online and get a web-generated copy. Then, the applicant needs to take a printout of that page and select a date for the biometric test.

"The applicant will get the learner's licence after passing the biometric test," said Behera. The online learner's licence process was started on May 19 last year in the city, Khurda and Cuttack. It was later extended to the other RTOs of the state.

After one month of receiving the learner's licence, the applicants have to apply for a driving licence within six months. Earlier, the applicants had to rush to the RTO and follow the procedure to apply for the driving licence.

The brokers there would also harass them.

"Now, the applicants just have to fill up the particular form and select a date for their driving test. Then, they would go to the driving test centre, submit the form and appear for the biometric and driving tests. After that, they are provided with the permanent driving licence," Behera said.

An RTO official said the applicants have to go to log on to orissatransport.nic.in and fill the form to to apply for the driving licence.