RTA babus under fire for slapping penalty for skipping driving test slot

​Hyderabad: Dare to skip the driving test on an allocated slot. Then penalty will be imposed on the person who skip the slot.

The RTA authorities used to collect Rs 475 for driving license of one category. For license of two categories of vehicles two-wheeler and four-wheeler it was Rs 525 and for three categories (for two, three and four-wheeler) it was Rs 625. However, after a Central notification in December 2016, the rates were enhanced for every category. The present fee for one category is Rs 1,035 and for two categories it is Rs 1,335.

The authorities allowed modification of date in case of motorists being absent or failing in the test and the penalty was just Rs 50 and Rs 100 for three categories. The authorities have now increased the penalty by five times when compared the old rates. Now if a motorist fails in a test or skips the test, he has to pay Rs 300 as penalty. If the motorist applies for two categories, the penalty to be paid will be double and for three categories the penalty is Rs 900.

On the other hand, the authorities allow modifications on permit, fitness tests and transfer of the vehicles. There are eleven RTA offices and five testing tracks in the city. They are at Nagole, Uppal, Medchal, Ibrahimpatnam, Kondapur. Everyday 250 to 300 people come for test and at most 40 persons fail to turn oup. But the authorities are cashing in on the problems of the citizens, said a motorist N Sanjay. Most of the applicants book slot for Saturday as it is a holiday for techies.

The auto union leaders are questioning the rationale behind collecting huge penalties. The unions demanded that the government withdraw measure. Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union general secretary M Dayanand said when the authorities are allowing modification in services like fitness, permits and transfer why they do not allow in the case of driving test.

“ There may be emergency which come in the way of the applicants turning up on the scheduled date. They may not intentionally skip the test but making them pay heavily would result in applicant not coming again. The authorities should not do business with citizens, they should serve,” said Dayanand. He said that for the delay in the renewal of the license is also penalised with Rs 1,000.