RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has amended rules pertaining to driving licences, allowing applicants who failed the ‘e-sign/road test’ to retake the exam within 15 days instead of six weeks to “facilitate” the public.

The latest amendment, however, ignores repeated requests from the public for a reduction in the licence fees.

A notification issued by the Punjab government said: “In the light of amendment, it is imperative that all candidates who have failed the e-sign/road test are now eligible to retake the test after a period of 15 days.”

It directed the traffic police officials to ensure the implementation of this revised rule within their respective districts to facilitate the public.

According to Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Police Taimoor Khan, the decision was taken to make it easier for applicants to retake the test to get the licence. A spokesman for the City Traffic Police Rawalpindi said that in light of the orders of Additional IG Traffic Mirza Faran Baig, the applicants who failed the driving and sign test would be able to retake the test at the traffic headquarters at Race Course. Before the amendment to this rule, the applicants had to wait at least six weeks before they could retake the driving test.

CTO Taimoor Khan said that testing facilities were being provided round the clock for the convenience of citizens at the traffic headquarters, adding that citizens should get their driving licences without further delay. He also warned that in case of the violation of this law, drivers would be fined up to Rs2,000. The CTO urged parents not to allow their children under 18 years of age to drive any vehicle as this was not only risky for themselves but also for others on the road. “Cooperate with the traffic police to make your life and your loved ones safe,” said the CTO.

A police spokesperson said they also reviewed the SOPs regarding the renewal of driving licences in order to “facilitate” the public.

Earlier, the driving licence was valid for five years but after reviewing the SOPs it was decided to renew the driving licences for a period ranging from one year to five years.

He said the one-year licence for motorcyclists would cost Rs1,100 while the car and motorcycle licence for the same validity would cost Rs2,450. The LTV licence for one year will cost Rs2,650 and HTV Rs2,850, he added. The spokesman said that the renewal fee for a one-year motorcycle/car/jeep licence would be Rs1,350 whereas for commercial vehicles it would be Rs2,150. These fees would be applicable to those whose driving licences have not expired.

On the other hand, the public is not particularly enthusiastic about this amendment as their demand had been a reduction in the hefty fee for the issuance and renewal of these licences. A majority of them cannot afford these rates.

They said instead of cosmetic measures, the provincial government should streamline traffic on roads and ensure checks on the performance of the traffic police which was “hardly above zero”, especially in the garrison city.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024