Pune RTO to Shift Driving Test to Advanced Track

Soon Pune residents who intend to get their permanent driving licence will have to undertake a more robust test since the city's regional transport office (RTO) has proposed to employ an advanced track for the driving test for cars. The Pune RTO currently conducts driving tests for light motor vehicles (cars) at its Alandi Road office, and hopes to move the aforementioned operations to the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) campus in Bhosari. Authorities have laid a new track there for the driving tests.

Jitendra Patil, regional transport officer, said, "The proposal has been sent to the state government. Once approved, the entire operation will be shifted to a new track. Some advanced features have been introduced in the new track to judge the driving skills of applicants. The tracks will not only test the driver's skills on reversing, driving in proper lanes, 8-shaped bend, parking of car, reversing of car and driving on gradient, but also test their knowledge about various road signs."

For now, the tests are conducted on a simple track without the use of computer-based programmes to accurately gauge the driver's skills.

While driving tests for heavy vehicles licence has already been shifted to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's advanced track in Bhosari, the RTO will continue to conduct the test for bikes at the Alandi Road office, and the deputy RTO office in Pimpri-Chinchwad.