Telangana Transport Department Cracks Down on Driving Test Irregularities
Hyderabad: The Telangana Transport Department’s Vigilance and Enforcement Wing has initiated a statewide crackdown on driving test centers following Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) inspections that uncovered several irregularities. These include issuance of driving licenses without applicants appearing for tests, presence of private agents within transport offices, and the alleged use of secret codes to alert staff about surprise inspections.
The ACB findings revealed that in numerous instances, driving tests were either conducted improperly or bypassed entirely, enabling applicants to secure licenses without demonstrating their driving skills. Officials also found cases where licenses were issued despite applicants not being physically present at the test tracks.
Strict New Directions Issued
Taking serious note of these violations, Joint Transport Commissioner (Vigilance and Enforcement) M Chandrashekar Goud issued a comprehensive set of directions to all driving track in-charges to tighten monitoring and ensure transparency in the licensing process.
“The department received information through ACB inspections about serious irregularities at driving test tracks and RTO offices. Licenses were being issued without proper tests, applicants who were not physically present were still getting licenses, there was collusion with private agents, and even secret warning codes were allegedly being used whenever senior officers visited,” Goud stated.
Key Measures Implemented
Under the new instructions, every applicant must personally appear at the driving track on the scheduled date, and their identity must be verified using Aadhaar or any government-issued identity proof before the test begins. Candidates must complete the entire prescribed driving test and demonstrate essential skills such as starting and stopping the vehicle, reversing, maintaining lane discipline, and obeying traffic signals.
Passing candidates merely by allowing them to sit behind the steering wheel or drive for a short distance has been strictly prohibited. The Vigilance and Enforcement Wing has also ordered continuous operation of CCTV cameras during tests. Any attempt to switch off surveillance systems or interfere with recordings will be treated as serious misconduct.
Bar on Private Agents and Secret Codes
Private agents, brokers, middlemen, and representatives of driving schools have been barred from entering driving test tracks and transport offices. Employees found colluding with them or accepting payments will face suspension pending inquiry.
Another major issue highlighted by the department was the alleged use of secret codes and signals to warn staff about the arrival of senior officials or ACB teams. Goud directed track in-charges to eliminate such practices and held them personally accountable for ensuring compliance.
Record-Keeping and Compliance
Officials have also been instructed to maintain proper records, reconcile physical registers with digital data daily, and submit monthly compliance reports to the Transport Commissioner’s office. Warning of strict consequences, Goud said departmental action would be initiated against any official found violating the instructions.
