16 year's old might get license for two-wheelers

In one of the sensational news, now an Indian can ride their favourite bike even before they start voting. According to the recent reports, centre is planning to reduce the minimum age of having a license from 18 to 16. the reduction of two years from the limit has been suggested by the expert committee appointed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) last year under the former road transport secretary S Sundar to closely examine amendments to the Act.

In addition to the plan, the foreign national living in India don't have to wait for the international driving license but can get Indian one to have a safe and secure ride on the Indian roads. These are some of the proposed amendments to be made in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in sync with the changing times.
The committee has come to the conclusion after a survey conducted in various cities. Through the survey, ministry sources found that in almost all these cities, teenagers start riding there two wheelers in very early years of their teens. Hence a plan is made to reduce the minimum age of holding a two wheeler license. Sources also said that the reduction in age for the private cars was considered by the committee but unfortunately it did not find support and is now not on the agenda.

 

The committee has also proposed amendments to include required provisions for the disabled people. One of the senior member from the committee said, “We see some people with 80% hearing loss applying for driving licenses and getting them. We need to strengthen these provisions to include basic physical requirements for applying for a licence.” Exact physical conditions required to drive a motor vehicle would be mentioned soon.

The usual format of the license is also expected to change. presently a licence document mention nine broadly divided categories of vehicles. This list will be altered and the licence would now include the specific type and class of the light, heavy or passenger vehicle. In case of passenger vehicle, the licence will mention if the license holder can drive any vehicle carrying school children or the passenger capacity — would it be a mini bus or any six or eight axle truck. Makerefresher course will be made mandatory.

Now plans are also made to streamline the process of granting and renewing driving licences. A grace period of at least six months would be given for renewal. There would now be regulations for private drivers’ training schools. A committee member added, “at present, there are a number of drivers’ training schools that have mushroomed without adequate infrastructure and badly maintained cars. There is a need to check these and set some minimum standards for operation.”

A new penalty system is also included in the amendments. Penalties for most offences like rash and negligent driving and using mobile phones or I-Pods while driving have been enhanced manifold. Other offences like drunk driving have a graded system of punishment, which means that the penalty would depend on the amount of alcohol in the blood.

MoRTH is now in on the way to writing down the final report.