RTO Big Alert: If you drive a vehicle or are planning to buy a new one, there is great news for you. The government has made some changes to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) rules, the direct aim of which is to save the general public from having to visit government offices repeatedly. Now you won’t have to worry about visiting the RTO or standing in long queues to get your driving license or vehicle documents.
No need to go to the RTO for the driving test anymore
The biggest and most relieving change is related to the driving license. Now you are not required to go to the RTO to take the test for a permanent license. The government has allowed private accredited driving training centers to conduct the tests. If you complete your training at these centers and pass their test, your license will be issued based on that certificate.
Most services are now online
Now you won’t have to approach RTO agents for small tasks. More than 50 services like learning licenses, change of address, duplicate licenses, and RC renewal have now been made completely online. You can complete these tasks from the comfort of your home through Aadhaar authentication on the ‘Parivahan Seva’ website.
Heavy fines and strict traffic rules
Now, heavy fines will be imposed for overspeeding and using a phone while driving. The strictest rule is for minors – if caught, the vehicle owner may face imprisonment and a fine, and the minor will not be able to obtain a license until the age of 25. Also, repeated violations of the rules may lead to the permanent cancellation of your vehicle’s registration (RC).
New scrappage policy for fitness and old vehicles
To reduce pollution, the government has implemented a new scrappage policy for old vehicles. Now, it will be mandatory to get a fitness test done for government vehicles older than 15 years and private vehicles older than 20 years. If the vehicle fails the fitness test, it will have to be removed from the road. Scrapping your old vehicle will entitle you to a waiver on registration fees and tax concessions when you purchase a new vehicle.
Conclusion
The new RTO rules are a significant step towards ‘Digital India’. While obtaining a driver’s license has become easier, traffic regulations have also become stricter. Be a responsible citizen and keep all your vehicle documents digitally stored in mParivahan or DigiLocker so they are readily available when needed.