ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have increased driving licence fees by 60 to 100pc and also made driving test mandatory for renewal of a licence.

Moreover, a category for professional motorcyclists has been introduced as the number of such professionals increased, including those who drive motorcycle cabs or hired by food outlets as delivery men.

A notification issued from the office of the chief commissioner stated that revision/amendments/addition in the fee structure of driving licence in Rule 26-B of the Wes Pakistan Motor Vehicle Rule 1969 for Islamabad Capital Territory would come to force with an immediate effect.

The driving licence fee was increased in April 2011 by 50pc when on an average 400 people for it applied per day.

The increase has been made due to a surge in the prices of material used for making the licence, said an official. The number of applicants has also increased to 600 daily.

The official said the fee for learner permit valid for six months (for each category) was increased to Rs300 from Rs200. The fee for driving licence (motorcycle or moor car) non-professional, LTV, HTV, PSV and motor cab for five years increased by 100pc - from Rs600 to Rs1,200.

The fee for professional motorcycle licence for five years is Rs1,500, digital driving licence card Rs400 and driving test Rs200. The urgent fee remained the same as Rs400.

Similarly, the fee for renewal of driving licence within 30 days also increased to Rs700 from Rs600, for renewal of learner permit for six months increased to Rs150 from Rs100, for renewal after one year within three years from the date of expiry is increased to Rs1,500 from Rs1,000, for renewal of a licence after three years from the date of expiry for five years, including expiry period, also increased to Rs4,000 from Rs2,000. But the applicant has to appear in the driving test.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2018