Greater Mumbai: 50 per cent drop in driving licences issued since 2012-13

“Earlier, 500 drivers’ licences would be given out in a day. We have tried to curb the practice across many RTOs by bringing in an appointment system test in such a way that five inspecting officers have to deal with forty learners at a time. We have made the process stricter so that an officer is able to concentrate better on one learner at a time. The aim is to give out 200 licences in a day,” he said.

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Also, a stricter implementation of online driving licence test along with a practical one at transport offices may also be behind the decrease. An online driving licence test was started in July 2014 to test the theoretical learning of new drivers at every RTO. Officials confirmed that at least 60 per cent marks was the criterion for clearing the test, and they recorded a daily count of at least 20-25 per cent of those who failed to pass the tests.

“Through an online appointment system, we decided on a specific quota for batches appearing for the online test on a daily basis. We test them on their basic driving knowledge and conduct document examination and alcohol tests. Such measures have also added in making the system more efficient while giving licences,” added the RTO official.

However, transport experts believe it may also be because of a demographic shift of people from the island city to the suburbs. A V Shenoy, a transport expert, said, “Over the last couple of years, there has been a gradual increase in residential spaces in Kalyan, Thane and the suburbs. Though they may still be driving to the island city, a significant portion of the population has started buying cars in these areas, which could be behind the spurt.”

According to data from the RTO, the region of Kalyan has seen a significant rise in the number of licences issued. From 7,808 in 2012-13, the number has gone up to 71,125 in 2013-14. The number in Thane has gone up from 98,114 in 2012-13 to 98,121 in 2014-15. There was a marginal dip in the number of licences issued in Thane in 2013-14.

Another transport expert, Ashok Datar, said, “This is surely a positive sign. With increasing cases of road accidents, the RTOs had become strict on issuing licences after looking at all the required details. There has been an increase in car buyers in Thane and Vashi, which could also be reasons for the same.”

Currently, there are at least 25 lakh vehicles registered at RTOs across Mumbai. According to data from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), a majority of vehicle owners have been found to live in Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and other areas. Many from these areas have been found to be using personal vehicles to travel to their workplaces around the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Transport officials however, confirmed that the process is not so strict while renewing licences of previous drivers. There has also been an increase in the number of licences issued of four-wheelers and autorickshaws than that of two-wheelers.