Latest news with #TransportCommissioner
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Kerala HC strikes down select provisions for licence test
The Kerala High Court has struck down a few provisions from a circular that the Transport Commissioner issued in 2024 for conducting the driving licence test in the State. The provisions include the one that only motorcycles with leg-gear selection and an engine capacity of more than 95 CC ought to be used for the test. The prohibition on the use of vehicles with automatic transmission and electric vehicles for the LMV (light motor vehicle) driving test too was struck down. The Bench of Justice N Nagaresh went on to uphold some provisions in the circular that had been prescribed for improving the quality of driving. They include the requirement that road tests for two-wheelers should be conducted on roads with traffic. The inclusion in ground rest of light motor vehicles of angular parking, parallel parking, zig-zag driving, and gradient tests and the limiting of the number of driving tests conducted per day by one motor vehicle inspector (MVI) and one assistant MVI to 40. It also upheld the qualifications specified for driving school instructors. The order was issued following a batch of petitions filed by the All Kerala Motor Driving School, Instructors and Workers Association and others challenging the circular and the subsequent government orders that introduced changes in the conduct of driving licence tests. The petitioners said that as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the power to make rules relating to the licensing and regulation of schools or establishments that imparted instruction in driving motor vehicles vested with the Union government and that the State cannot encroach upon the legislative domain exclusively assigned to the Centre. Upholding the contention, the court said that neither the State government nor the Transport Commissioner cant usurp the powers vested with the Centre in this regard.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Transport dept. to give work order to roll out advanced smart cards for driving licenses and vehicle registrations
In a major technological upgrade, the Karnataka Transport Department has finalised a vendor to design and produce next-generation smart cards for driving licences (DLs) and vehicle registration certificates (RCs). These cards will feature embedded chips and QR codes, offering improved durability, enhanced data security, and easier verification processes. Transport officials revealed that the selected firm is expected to receive the official work order within 15 days. The new smart cards will replace the current polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cards that have been in use for years. These advanced cards are seen as a leap forward in modernising transport documentation, combining robust materials and secure data storage methods. 'The smart cards will be manufactured using polycarbonate, a high-grade material renowned for its strength and resilience. In addition to an embedded chip and a QR code, the cards will include laser-engraved text to prevent the wear and fading commonly seen in PVC cards. This approach ensures that the cards remain legible and tamper-resistant over their lifespan,' a senior transport department official told The Hindu. Officials highlighted that Karnataka is aligning itself with several other Indian States, such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, which have already introduced similar smart card systems for their transport documents. 'The smart DL will store up to 25 distinct data fields, including the licence holder's name, photograph, date of birth, blood group, mobile number, address, licence validity, and emergency contact. Similarly, the upgraded RC will display essential vehicle-related data such as registration number, registration date, validity, chassis and engine numbers, and owner details on the front. The back will carry a QR code that provides extended information, including the vehicle's make, model, type, seating capacity, and financing details,' official added. The embedded QR code will allow quick digital access to basic user information by police and transport officials during inspections, eliminating the need for manual document checks. For more detailed data, authorised personnel can use a dedicated chip reader, thereby simplifying procedures in cases of traffic violations, accidents, or document theft. To maintain consistency and quality across all cards, printing and production will be centralised at the Transport Commissioner's head office in Bengaluru, according to officials. 'This centralised approach will help ensure all smart cards adhere to uniform security and design standards. It will also streamline logistics, reducing delays and ensuring faster delivery to applicants across the state,' the official explained.
