Almost every third driving licence in India could be ‘bogus’ with a staggering number of over five crore people driving on roads with fake documents, according to official data. However, those found to be driving with fake licences may soon be jailed for up to a year in addition to a hefty penalty of Rs10,000 – up from the current penalty provision of Rs500 and a maximum jail term of three months. In case of juvenile drivers, the owner of the vehicle or the driver’s guardian will face stricter penalties of up to three years in jail and fine of up to Rs20,000, while their vehicle registration certificate may also be cancelled
“In India, 30 per cent of the licences are bogus. We need to check it. We are going to start an online system where computerised tests will be conducted to obtain driving licences. Every one – whether a politician, an official or a celebrity – will have to take the test to get the licence. There will be complete transparency,” Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told reporters. An official said the Ministry has collated data of about 18 crore licences and an estimated 5.4 crore of them fall under the “bogus” category.