Car dealers may soon register new vehicles; validity of licences may be extended to 60 years

Registrations of new vehicles may soon be done by automobile dealers and the validity of driving licences may also be extended to 60 years, as per recommendations of a group of state transport ministers.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the group, headed by Rajasthan’s Yoonus Khan, held its first meeting on Friday and suggested extending the validity of driving licences to 60 years, to be renewed every 10 years thereafter.

At present, a licence is valid for 20 years from the date it is issued or till the holder turns 50, whichever comes earlier. After that, it is renewed every five years.

“The idea is to make the process customer-friendly and save people from the harassment they face at RTOs. It will also check corruption,” said Khan.

Other recommendations on passenger safety include GPS and CCTVs on all public transport vehicles. Khan said that no vehicle should be registered if the safety devices are not present.

The group of ministers has also sought tougher punishment for those involved in traffic offences such as drunk driving, underage driving and speeding.

The report said that the recommendations also include, issuing learner’s licence online, punishment for parents of juvenile drivers, accident insurance cover for transport vehicle driver etc.