Driving license must for all above 18 years of age: Transport Minister

KHAMMAM: Telangana Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar on Friday said that driving vehicles without a license was a legal offence and all those above 18 years of age should learn driving skills and get a valid license from the transport department.

Ajay Kumar inaugurated a free driving license mela starting from Friday to September 23, 2023 for the benefit of students, small traders and unemployed youths in Khammam Assembly constituency.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Kumar expressed his concern over the recent deaths in road accidents in Telangana, involving youth riding vehicles without a valid driving license. Several youths were riding the vehicles, but none of them possessed a valid driving license, which was equivalent to suicide, he said.

Taking a serious note of the issue, Puvvada Foundation had come forward to organise a free driving license mela for young people, following the suggestions given by Health Minister T Harish Rao. The license fees of the applicants would be paid by the Puvvada Foundation. A special mee-Seva counter had been set up at his camp office at VDO’s Colony enabling the applicants to book a slot for two, three and four wheeler driving licenses.

Apart from providing driving licenses for the young, they would also be made aware of traffic signals along with driving awareness, Ajay Kumar said.

“Initially, the free driving license mela is being organised for people in Khammam Assembly constituency. Youth should make use of the opportunity. A learner’s license will be given to those who clear the test and then a permanent driving license. Motorists should seeking a driver’s licence should bring an Aadhaar card, voter ID card, bank pass book or passport for address proof and SSC certificate, PAN card or passport for date of birth verification to apply for a driving license,” Ajay Kumar said.

Ajay Kumar said that the role of intermediaries was abolished after he assumed charge as the transport minister. “We have arranged all the documents related to the vehicles online through the M-wallet application. Around Rs 70 crore revenue is generated by the department through the sale of fancy numbers of vehicles in the State,” the transport minister said.