Panel moots driving licences for 16-year-olds

Visakhapatnam: The Group of Ministers’ Committee on Road Safety has recommended the government to lower the age limit to 16 years in case of issuing licences for driving non-gear motorcycles.

Speaking to the media here on Friday on the sidelines of national workshop on road safety, Rajasthan Transport Minister and the chairman of the GoM Yunus Khan informed that the committee had made 69 recommendations to the Centre, requesting it to incorporate the same in the Central Motor Vehicle Bill, 2016.

The said Bill is likely to be passed in the ensuing Parliament session, and it was approved by the Union Cabinet on August 3.
The other recommendations of the committee include: ease of transport; licensing system using modern technology; increase in penalties.

punishment to parents in case of hit-and-run cases where minors are accused and harsh punishment those involved in drunk-and-driving. The committee further suggested the need to enhance the compensation for victims of hit-and-run cases to Rs 2 lakh from existing Rs 25,000. Strengthening rural transport, last mile connectivity and public transport, automation and computerisation and enabling online services were also recommended by the committee, Yunus Khan said.