CAG Audit Uncovers Systemic Flaws in Karnataka's Driving License Issuance
A comprehensive audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed alarming practices at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Karnataka. The investigation found that these offices routinely issued driving licenses far beyond their prescribed daily testing capacity, raising significant questions about the integrity and safety of the licensing system.
Automated Testing Tracks Exceeding Operational Limits
The report highlights that even RTOs equipped with automated driving testing tracks (ADTTs), which are specifically designed to ensure standardized and objective evaluation of driving skills, have a maximum operational capacity of conducting 200 driving tests per day. However, the audit discovered that several centers were conducting between 252 and 495 tests in a single day, clearly violating these established limits.
The Electronics City RTO emerged as a particularly concerning example. This facility conducted more than 200 tests on 109 separate days, strongly suggesting that licenses may have been granted without proper scrutiny of applicants' actual driving abilities. This pattern indicates a systemic failure to adhere to capacity constraints designed to maintain testing quality.
Widespread Irregularities in Manual Testing Systems
The situation appears even more problematic in the majority of RTOs that lack automated testing systems. With only 12 centers equipped with ADTTs across Karnataka, 55 RTOs continue to rely on manual testing methods. The audit uncovered widespread irregularities in these manual testing processes, with multiple applicants often being tested simultaneously under minimal supervision.
Even at the automated testing tracks, the audit identified significant lapses. Despite the installation of sensors and cameras intended to provide objective assessment, multiple candidates were frequently evaluated at once. This practice increases the likelihood of errors and substantially dilutes the effectiveness of what should be technology-driven, standardized testing procedures.
Smart Card Dispatch Delays and Regulatory Violations
The audit also exposed serious issues with the dispatch of smart cards for driving licenses. At the time of the investigation, RTOs were charging applicants Rs 212 for a smart card along with an additional Rs 50 for postal delivery. Analysis of Vahan MIS data revealed that between May 24, 2022, and March 31, 2024, out of 12.3 lakh smart card applications across nine RTOs, 11.6 lakh (94%) were approved.
However, the dispatch status of 8.2 lakh cards (71%) remained pending despite collection of postal charges. This represents a significant failure in service delivery after payment collection.
Between November 2021 and May 2022, RTOs collected Rs 7.1 crore for 3.6 lakh vehicles, but no smart cards were issued during this period. Instead, the offices issued laminated cards without chips, which constitutes a clear violation of established rules and regulations governing driving license documentation.
These findings from the CAG audit paint a troubling picture of systemic deficiencies in Karnataka's driving license issuance process, encompassing both testing procedures and documentation delivery. The revelations suggest urgent need for reform and stricter oversight to ensure road safety and regulatory compliance across the state's transportation system.
