Car dealers may register new vehicles soon, not RTOs

NEW DELHI: New vehicle registrations may soon be completed by automobile dealers in lieu of regional transport offices. Registration validity of driving licenses may be extended to 60 years from the present 50 years. These are the recommendations of a group of state transport ministers handed over by the Centre government with developing road safety and easing transport-related facilities and rules. The group, guidance  by Rajasthan’s Yoonus Khan, held its first meeting on Friday and suggested extending the validity of driving licenses to 60 years, to be renewed every 10 years thereafter. Currently, a licenses is valid for 20 years from the date it is issued or till the holder turns 50, whichever is earlier. After that, it is to be renewed every five years. In some states, automobile dealers are authorised to give out registration certificates, and the ministers said this could be replicated elsewhere. “The idea is to make the process customer-friendly and save people from the harassment they face at RTOs. It will also check corruption,” said Khan. In its first interim report to Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, the group sought stiffer penalties for traffic offences such as drunk driving, underage driving, speeding. They are yet to decide on the penalties. For the safety and comfort of those behind the wheels, the ministers sought accident insurance for drivers of transport vehicles and doing away with dress codes. “Once the ministers give their final report in June, we will discuss it with the states and start the process of amending the Motor Vehicle Act,” Gadkari said. The draft road transport and safety bill, which proposes to computerise the transport system and bring in transparency, has been stuck for over two years and will probably need more time before it is brought before the cabinet and then Parliament. In the meantime, the ministry has decided to amend the MV Act. Recommendations by group of state  Transport Minister 

• Driving licence to be valid for 20 years or till you turns 60, whichever is earlier. To be renewed every 10 years after that Vehicle registration at automobile dealer instead of RTO
• Learner’s licenses to be issued online only
• Stiffer penalties for speeding, driving drunk, underage-driving, talking on mobile phone, overloading
• Punishment for parents of juvenile drivers
• Fitness certificate renewal after three years, then every two years — instead of current practice of two years and then every year
• Accident insurance cover for transport vehicle drivers