Hyderabad: Getting a driving licence may soon become significantly more rigorous, with authorities planning to make road safety awareness the first checkpoint—well before an applicant even applies for a learner’s licence registration (LLR). The proposal to introduce a mandatory online road safety test ahead of the learner’s licence stage is currently under consideration, following a standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Supreme Court to curb the rising number of road accidents and fatalities. The move is aimed at ensuring that applicants enter the licensing system with a basic understanding of road discipline and safety. “A proposal is under consideration following the directives from the Supreme Court to reduce road fatalities. Telangana has made steps to introduce a mandatory online road safety awareness test as a prerequisite for obtaining a driving licence. A committee has been formed, and a report is expected by late April. Based on that, the test will be made mandatory,” said joint transport commissioner (IT and vigilance) M Chandrashekar Goud. 3-stage processIf implemented, the new system will introduce a three-stage licensing process. Currently, applicants go through two stages—LLR test and the final driving test. The proposed framework will add an online safety awareness test as the first step, making it mandatory before applying for the LLR. According to sources, the online programme will consist of six modules of about 30 minutes each, totalling three hours. Designed as a mix of training and evaluation, each segment will include short assessments. Candidates can take the test remotely using a camera-enabled laptop or desktop, or at authorised driving school centres. On completion, applicants will receive a unique certificate number, which will be required to proceed with the LL application—effectively screening candidates based on their grasp of basic road safety principles. Safe driving practicesThe training will rely heavily on video-based lessons, including real-life accident scenarios, common driving errors, and safe driving practices. It will cover essential aspects such as mirror usage, safe overtaking, and responsible road behaviour, with a clear focus on preventing avoidable mistakes. The move comes amid alarming road safety data. India records nearly 1.7 lakh deaths annually due to road accidents, with states like Telangana reporting thousands of fatalities and injuries each year. Officials believe the initiative could also bring greater transparency to the licensing process by reducing reliance on intermediaries at transport offices. While the system may become more stringent, authorities maintain it is a necessary step towards building safer, more responsible drivers.
