Premium

Nearly 9,000 people failed Chandigarh driving test this year

Pradyuman Singh, Director (Transport), Chandigarh, terms the driving test in the Union Territory as ‘the toughest’.

2 min readChandigarhUpdated: Nov 6, 2025 06:02 PM IST

The pass percentage of four-wheeler drivers was almost 50 per cent in Chandigarh, while the corresponding percentage for scooter or motorcycle riders was 84 per cent. failed (file Photo)

The pass percentage of four-wheeler drivers was almost 50 per cent, while the corresponding percentage for scooter or motorcycle riders was 84 per cent. (file Photo)

According to the details shared by the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA), as many as 8,973 people failed the driving test, of which 6,975 or 77 per cent are four-wheeler drivers and 1,998 or 22.2 per cent are two-wheeler riders.

A total of 26,550 people have appeared in Chandigarh till date this year for the driving test. Of this, 14,040 were four-wheeler drivers and 12,510 were two-wheeler riders.

The pass percentage of four-wheeler drivers was almost 50 per cent, while the corresponding percentage for scooter or motorcycle riders was 84 per cent.

Pradyuman Singh, Director (Transport), Chandigarh, told The Indian Express that the driving test in Chandigarh is “the toughest with international standards”.

“Our sole aim is to produce quality drivers. This is why we have kept our driving test as per the international standards. Chandigarh also has roundabouts, and one needs to know how to manoeuvre around them. The driving track has been made and designed scientifically by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune, which is the authorised agency for the same,” he said.

Singh added that many tend to lose at the gradient point as well. “At the gradient point, which is a raised platform, many tend to lose balance, and the moment the vehicle goes backwards, the person taking the test is disqualified,” he remarked.

The test

RLA officials said most candidates flunk the test while negotiating ‘reverse direction’. The applicant is tested for standard direction, kerb hit, and time taken on the track.

Story continues below this ad

Also, most cannot control the car near a gradient and a hairpin bend. With the hairpin bend, the applicant is tested for not stopping, reversing and hitting the kerb. Similarly, at the gradient point, it is seen whether the vehicle moves forward without rolling back beyond the permissible limit, they said.

A sizable chunk of candidates also fail for not being able to take a U-turn as per norms, followed by those applicants who cannot manage their vehicle at the roundabout.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
chandigarh

Loading Taboola...