Hyderabad has achieved the highest driving test pass percentage in India, with nearly 98% of applicants succeeding. This remarkable figure places the city far ahead of other major metros like Mumbai and Delhi, where pass rates typically range between 80% and 90%.
Record Success Amidst Suspensions
In 2025, an impressive 2.25 lakh out of 2.3 lakh applicants passed their driving tests on the first attempt in Hyderabad. Even those who failed initially found near-certain success upon reappearance. Only 78 out of over 5,000 applicants failed their second attempt.
Despite this high pass rate, authorities suspended more than 10,000 driver's licenses in the city last year. This contradiction highlights potential issues within the licensing system.
Experts Point to Systemic Flaws
Road safety experts express serious concerns about Hyderabad's unusually high success rate. They attribute it to excessive involvement of middlemen and poor enforcement of driving test protocols by the Regional Transport Authority.
Vinod Kanumala from the Indian Federation of Road Safety stated, "Our driving tests are completely flawed. A motor vehicle inspector should assess an applicant's driving skills for at least 10 to 15 minutes. That does not happen. Nearly 95% of applicants come through agents or driving schools and obtain licenses without proper training or skills. They then take to the roads, endangering other people's lives."
Middlemen Bypass Testing Procedures
Sources from driving centers reveal that agents facilitate licenses for applicants with minimal driving skills. They charge fees ranging between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 per person.
"They bypass all standard testing procedures and guarantee licenses for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers," a source explained. This practice directly compromises road safety standards.
RTA Acknowledges Loopholes
Regional Transport Authority officials admit to certain loopholes in the current system. They confirm that steps are being taken to reduce the pass percentage and improve transparency.
K Ilambarithi, commissioner of the transport department, told TOI, "Our aim is to reduce the driving test pass rate to around 70% through fully automated driving tests using sensors and cameras. This will eliminate human intervention. We are identifying suitable land on the outskirts to establish four automated driving test tracks."
Infrastructure Challenges
The poor condition of existing driving test tracks presents another concern. Currently, six driving test tracks operate within Greater Hyderabad limits:
- Kondapur
- Uppal
- Nagole
- Bandlaguda
- Medchal
- Ibrahimpatnam
Half of these tracks lie in bad shape, further complicating proper driving assessments.
Hyderabad's exceptional driving test pass rate raises important questions about road safety standards. While the numbers appear impressive, experts warn that compromised testing procedures could have dangerous consequences on the city's roads.
