Getting driving licence no longer a cakewalk

KANPUR: Getting a driving licence is no longer a cakewalk. Licence seekers now have to drive on the 8-shaped track separately constructed for two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers at the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Owing to this, car driving schools in the city have revised their curriculum and training module.
Till recently the RTO used to conduct driving test at an open space behind its building without any specified track.However, now precise tracks have been constructed in the shape of number ‘eight’.
Once you are issued with the temporary license, you require to clear a live driving test to get the permanent driving license.
“We are trying to incorporate some strict rules for getting driving license. The track length for four-wheeler vehicles is around 30-35 meters and its width is near about 8-feet. While the track for two-wheeler is around 25meters with the width of 4-feet. Driving on the 8-shaped track would test the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle at turns. Everyday 200-300 people give driving test, we want them to be perfect drivers keeping road safety in mind,” said assistant regional transport officer (ARTO) S K Singh.
The ARTO said that as of now, just the basic track has been made. However, in future driving track in ‘H’ shape and inclined tracks might be constructed to make the test more tough for to meet strict standars.
In future, the RTO also plans to install driving test simulators. Driving simulators are being increasingly used for training and testing drivers all over the world.
A person appearing for the test is made to sit in front of a moving screen in a planted vehicle. The driver is expected to respond as per the moving picture. For example, he has to give indicators at every diversion, use wipers if the screen shows rains etc. It is more like a video game, he informed.
Meanwhile, in the wake of increasing toughness of the driving lessons, the driving schools have also revised their curriculum and training module.
“We give 30-minute driving lesson to each learner. We make sure that they steer the wheel properly and turns and don’t take steep turns. Speed is also monitored. We also make sure that the learning driver gives proper indicators while changing the rout,” said Sushil, who runs a motor driving school.
Sapna Dixit, a local, said that it took her 35 days to learn car driving instead of the normal 30 days.
“I learnt driving at a reputed motor driving schools. I paid the fee for 30 days but they made me learn it for nearly a week extra in order to make me perfect. Driving on the new driving tracks is comparatively tough than the earlier process. You should know to take steep turns with proper gaping,” she said.