Hyderabad: It's official now. You can possess a driving licence for an e-scooter even if you are 16.
On Tuesday, minister for heavy industries and public enterprises Prakash Javadekar had informed the Lok Sabha that the ministry of road transport and highways has allowed teenagers in the 16-18 years age group to obtain driving licence to drive E-scooters. The move.
Currently, the same age-group are granted licence for scooters with below 50 cc although no scooters are made in this category.
On its part, the State Road Transport Authority feigned ignorance on the matter. The state RTA officials said they are unaware of this rule, as it continues to dole out licenses only to applicants who 18 and above. While the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways says that one can apply for a driving license at the age of 16 for an e-scooter, in a bid to tackle two issues-license less driving and automobile emissions-in one stroke. “We have no idea of such a proposal or rule. The state government has not informed us of any such rule,” said C Ramesh, Joint Transport Commissioner, Transport Department. Making matters worse, senior officials of the department have equated e-scooters to e-rickshaws which the state government plans on rolling out.
“We have not received a single driving licence applicant who is below 18. Even if we do receive some, they would be cancelled as the legal age to possess a licence is 18,” said the official, requesting anonymity. The official said there’s communication from the central government about the new rule. However, electric vehicle dealers in the city are not amused. They say some youngsters -below 18 - are already in possession of motor vehicles.
“There seems to be no awareness in people about e-scooters, and the government is working only to ensure it. The popularity for such vehicles has grown. If there is a new rule in place,” said V Anil of Aniraj Motors, which deals in electric automobiles.
The number of such showrooms in the city has risen from six to 25 in the last 10 years.
