Providing a big relief to nearly one lakh three-wheeler auto rickshaw drivers, Punjab Transport Minister Razia Sultana on Tuesday announced that from now on, the three-wheeler auto drivers can give their driving test, for getting the driving license, by using a three-wheeler auto rickshaw. Earlier, three-wheeler drivers were tested on four-wheelers.
She also directed to all the Enforcement Authorities that in case, any three-wheeler driver has Driving License of LMV (Light Motor Vehicle), he or she should not be harassed, because as per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act-1988, the three-wheeler auto rickshaw has been categorised into LightMotor Vehicle.
Divulging details, the State Transport Commissioner Dr Amarpal Singh said that instructions have been issued to the Licensing Authorities and Automated
Driving Test Tracks of the Punjab to allow three-wheeler auto drivers to give the driving test by using a three-wheeler auto rickshaw while seeking the required driving license or its renewal.
“In addition to this, all the Enforcement Authorities have been directed to ensure that no three-wheeler auto driver is harassed, if they produce Driving License of LMV (Light Motor Vehicle). As per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act-1988, the three-wheeler auto rickshaw has been categorised into Light Motor Vehicle as the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed to 7,500 Kg,” he said.
“With these instructions, more than one lakh Auto Rickshaw drivers will be benefited” he added.
The State Transport Commissioner has also issued instructions to the enforcement agencies that a person producing a digital driving license or registration certificate of vehicle and other documents in digital format on mParivahan Application of Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and DigiLocker app of Union Government, he or she is not required to produce the printed document, accordingly, all the enforcement staff should be sensitised.
Dr Amarpal added in case a complaint shall be brought to them of enforcement staff not accepting documents in digital format, a strict action would be taken against such staff. “This will dramatically reduce the scope of challaning without documents and then face unnecessary hassle,” he said.