Transport Minister gives much-awaited relief to auto-rickshaw drivers

Giving a big relief to 3 wheeler auto rickshaw drivers, Punjab Transport Minister Razia Sultana, on Tuesday announced that now 3 wheeler auto drivers can give the driving test for getting Driving License by using a 3 wheeler auto rickshaw. Earlier, three-wheeler drivers were tested on four-wheelers.

            She also directed to all the Enforcement Authorities that if any three-wheeler driver has Driving License of LMV (Light Motor Vehicle), he/she should not be harassed, because as per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, the 3 wheeler auto rickshaw has been categorized into Light Motor Vehicle.

            Divulging the details, State Transport Commissioner Dr. Amarpal Singh said that instructions has been issued to the Licensing Authorities & Automated Driving Test Tracks of the Punjab to allow 3 wheeler auto drivers to give the driving test by using a 3 Wheeler auto rickshaw while seeking the required Driving License or its renewal.

            “In addition to above all the Enforcement Authorities have been directed to ensure that no three-wheeler auto driver is harassed, If they produce Driving License of LMV (Light Motor Vehicle ). As per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, the 3 wheeler Auto Rickshaw has been categorized into Light Motor Vehicle as the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed to 7500 Kg. With these instructions, more than 1 lakh Auto Rickshaw drivers will be benefited” he added.

            State Transport Commissioner has also been issued instructions to the enforcement agencies that a person producing a digital Driving License/Registration Certificate of vehicle and other documents in digital format on mParivahan Application of MoRTH Govt. of India and DigiLocker app of Govt. Of India, he/she is not required to produce the printed document, accordingly, all the enforcement staff should be sensitized.

            Dr. Amarpal further informed that in case a complaint shall be brought to them of enforcement staff not accepting documents in digital format, strict action would be taken against such staff. This will dramatically reduce the scope of challenging without documents and then face unnecessary hassle.