Ghaziabad has taken a major step towards modernising driver training and testing with the launch of its first-ever Automatic Driving Training Centre (ADTC). The facility, situated on a 2-acre plot in Guldhar near the Delhi-Meerut Road, commenced operations on Monday, promising a technology-driven overhaul of the licensing process.
A New Era of Driver Testing and Training
Operated by the private agency D-Pak ATS Centre Pvt Ltd under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the centre is equipped to offer a comprehensive range of driving courses. Inaugurating the facility, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) PK Singh emphasised the government's goal. The PPP model aims to bring efficiency and accountability to driving tests, which will ultimately improve skills and reduce accidents on our roads, he stated.
The centre's infrastructure includes a dedicated driving track, multiple simulators, and specialised training spaces. Mayank Singh, Managing Director of the agency, revealed the high-tech core of the operation. The centre is monitored by 56 cameras and features an automated result-generation system, he explained. The process is designed for convenience: applicants apply online, pay the fee, book a slot, and are then monitored by cameras during their test for instant results.
Structured Courses and Stringent Testing Protocols
The ADTC will provide structured training programmes for different vehicle categories. The course for light motor vehicles is priced at Rs 6,000, while training for heavy motor vehicles costs Rs 10,000. Both programmes incorporate advanced simulator-based training that replicates real-world driving conditions with realistic controls for steering, gears, pedals, and indicators.
This Guldhar facility is modelled on the ADTC in Dadri, which has been functional since August last year. It follows the same strict time limits set by the Regional Transport Authority for various test modules:
- Gradient test, box parking, and the 8-digit test: 45 seconds each.
- Reverse S-turn test: 50 seconds.
- Two-wheeler 8-shape test: 60 seconds.
Candidates must bring their own vehicles for the final test, though training vehicles are provided by the centre. The overall test must be completed within a challenging 185-second timeframe, a significant shift from the previous system.
From High Pass Rates to Genuine Skill Assessment
The introduction of the ADTC marks a dramatic change from Ghaziabad's earlier testing method. Previously, with no automated tracks, applicants were tested on a simple 30-meter straight track at the transport department's campus, requiring only forward and reverse driving with no time limit. This led to an exceptionally high pass rate of around 95%.
Officials believe the new, sensor and camera-based system will ensure that only genuinely skilled and well-trained drivers receive licenses. By automating tasks like parallel parking, reverse S-turns, and gradient tests, the centre reduces human bias, standardises assessments, and improves transparency.
Beyond basic licensing, the centre will also offer specialised courses covering vehicle mechanisms, maintenance, refresher training, fire hazard management, and instructor training. With an estimated 150 to 200 people applying for driving tests in the city daily, this new facility is poised to significantly raise the standard of driving proficiency in Ghaziabad.
