Training certificate must for heavy vehicle licence
The drivers appearing for driving test seeking licence of the heavy motor vehicles and those applying for renewal of heavy vehicles driving licence post
- The Ministry of Road Transport and National Highways has issued a notification in this regard and will apply after April 1, 2018
- This decision is taken in view of change of driving habits of drivers to conserve petroleum and HSD, says an official
- Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union raises a stink over the move
Hyderabad: The drivers appearing for driving test seeking licence of the heavy motor vehicles and those applying for renewal of heavy vehicles driving licence post April 1, 2018, should have to submit a certificate issued by the training institute following the notification issued by the Central government.
According to RTA officials, the Ministry of Road Transport and National Highways have issued Gazette notification in this regard. The officials said that the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) had submitted a report to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas that country’s estimated requirement of High Speed Diesel (HSD) is likely to increase from 69.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2014-15 to 86.76 million metric tonnes in 2017-18. The major consumption of diesel (approximately 43 per cent) is accounted for the heavy commercial vehicles (trucks and buses). Hence PCRA felt that the change of driving habits of the drivers offers a good scope for petroleum conservation, said the official.
The Centre issued gazette notification Regd D.No.33004/99 dated February 2017 notified amendment in Central Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989. In the rule 14 after sub-rule (1), after April 1, 2018, an application for a license to drive a heavy goods vehicle or a heavy passenger motor vehicle should be accompanied by a certificate in Form 5A issued by the school or establishment from where the applicant receives instructions. Similarly, the rule is also applicable for the drivers who come for the renewal of their licenses. A senior official said that they will have to follow the directions as the Centre had issued gazette notification.
However, the auto unions have opposed the government’s move stating that this will impose additional financial burden on the drivers to get the certificate. Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union General Secretary M Dayanand said that this is nothing but imposing financial burden on the drivers. “No training institute will give the certificate free of cost and will demand money. Put aside the type of training they would give, he doubts if the drivers would undergo training,” said Dayanand. How can the RTA authorities seek fresh training certificate at the time of renewal of driving license when they have given the driving licence to the driver earlier, he questioned.
