PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) Dehradun division is planning to conduct an enforcement drive next week, specifically targeting individuals who are driving vehicles without a driving license or whose driving licenses require renewal. Regional transport officer Anita Chamola (Enforcement and Road Safety) informed that driving licenses are generally issued to individuals at the age of 18.
Chamola informed that, traditionally, driving licenses issued at 18 years of age were valid for 20 years. However, sometime back, the criteria for issuing driving licenses changed. Now, individuals who obtain a driving license at the age of 18 will be able to use it until they turn 40 years old. After reaching 40, individuals can apply for renewal, which extends the validity of the license until they are 50 years old. Once the individual turns 50, the driving license can be renewed every five years thereafter, she informed.
She further informed that for renewal, a medical certificate confirming that the individual is medically fit to drive must be attached to other documents, which RTO officials will verify before renewing the driving license. Chamola further said that individuals can apply for renewal up to one year before the validity of their driving license expires. If an individual applies for renewal after the validity has expired, they will be required to undergo a re-driving test. She also informed that it has been informed that some young adults are driving without a license and others have not applied for renewal of their expired licenses. In light of this, the RTO is planning to conduct an enforcement drive next week focusing on individuals driving without a valid license or those with expired licenses. During this drive, anyone caught driving without a license or with an expired license will face penalties and, in some cases,, their vehicles may also be seized. The RTO will also carry out awareness initiatives regarding the importance of having a valid driving license under this drive. Chamola urged individuals to ensure they drive with a driving license.
