Scheme for learner's driving licence to students launched at four institutions

New Delhi: Delhi joined Maharashtra and Punjab by launching a scheme on Saturday that empowers institution heads for issuing learner's driving licence to students.

On a trial basis, driving licences to students of four colleges and institutes were issued in the city on Saturday. 

The scheme will be expanded to other academic centres after a successful run at the four institutions -- GB Pant Institute of Technology, ITI Pusa, Acharya Narendra Dev College, and Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, a Delhi Transport department official said. 

"It is a historic achievement for Delhi. Only Punjab and Maharashtra have done it so far," said the official. Two students each at Acharya Narendra Dev College and ITI Pusa took the learner's test and passed on the inaugural day. 

There were also 5-6 other applicants, but their documents were not complete. The tests at GB Pant and Shaheed Sukhdev will be conducted next week as admission process is on there, the official said. 

The principals and directors of the concerned institutions have been empowered as licensing authorities as per Motor Vehicle Act provision, through a Transport department notification on August 13. 

Earlier this month, Delhi Transport department had announced to start the scheme, claiming over two lakh students of 18 years and above age will be benefitted by the move. 

"Young and studying in Delhi? You can soon get your Learner's Driving Licence from your college itself. Delhi govt empowers Directors and Principals of Colleges, Polytechnics and ITIs to issue Learner's Licence. 

Over 2 lakh students will benefit each year," Gahlot had tweeted. The scheme will gradually cover all state universities and institutions, Delhi University colleges as well as polytechnic and ITIs of the Delhi government, the official said.