Kerala MVD ramps up driving test capacity from 40 to 50 a day, introduces facial recognition for learner’s tests

As part of a significant reform to address the growing backlog of driving licence applications in Kerala, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has increased the number of driving tests that can be conducted in Regional Transport Offices (RTO) and Sub-RTOs (SRTO) from 40 to 50 per day.

During the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, transport offices were permitted to conduct up to 60 driving tests daily before the limit was later reduced to 40.

In a circular issued by Transport Commissioner C.H. Nagaraju, all RTOs and SRTOs have been directed to conduct driving licence tests five days a week for the next three months.

With the daily test limit raised to 50, the allocation of slots has also been revised. Of the total slots, 28 will be reserved for fresh applicants, 20 for candidates appearing for re-tests after failing earlier attempts, and two for applicants requiring licences for employment, higher studies abroad or migration to other States.

The circular also directs that the number of learner’s licence test slots available each day should be equal to or greater than the total number of driving licence test slots scheduled for the particular day.

In order to avoid cancellation of driving tests due to the absence of Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs), the department has laid down a mechanism for deploying substitute MVIs from the Enforcement wing.

The department has also announced the introduction of a facial recognition-based authentication system for learner’s licence tests conducted through mobile phones within the designated examination halls.

The system will become operational once the functionality is activated in the Sarathi application by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the circular stated.

Candidates will be required to undergo facial recognition authentication before the examination and at specified intervals during the test. The examinations will continue to be conducted under the strict supervision of Assistant MVIs, and any technical issues will be reported to the Transport Commissioner’s office.

According to the circular, the department aims to ensure that fresh driving test slots are available within 30 days of booking, re-test slots within eight days and learner’s licence test slots within three days.

Based on the review, further decisions on slot strength and scheduling will be taken. Deputy Transport Commissioners have been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the drive, while Regional Transport Officers and Joint Regional Transport Officers will be personally responsible for complying with the new directions.