Hyderabad: Dozens of driving schools are exploiting applicants charging for substantially poor-quality instruction. There are about 200 authorised driving schools within the GHMC limits and there are currently no records showing unauthorised enterprises. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, driving schools must take theory classes for aspirants preparing for a learner’s licence. These should cover road rules, understanding signalling systems and other basics. An applicant can apply for the learner’s licence only after finishing the theory section.
M. Sunil Kumar, a former agent with the Kondapur RTA office, says most driving schools in the city don’t focus on rules and instead push on for the driving licence.
“The driving schools that have mushroomed in the city push for the licences through backchannels. They operate with four chairs, a table and a list of road signals. According to rules, driving schools must have separate classroom for theory lessons and must have cars in good condition for training,” Mr Kumar said.
P. Kishan, a retired government employee from Boduppal, admits he is still worried about driving in city despite training with three separate driving schools at Uppal.
“I learnt nothing from the first instructor, but I ended up with a permanent driving licence. I wasn’t confident so I joined two more schools. However, I’m still unable to take my car out in traffic. I paid the first institute Rs. 3,500 and I was trained in an old Maruthi 800. The two other schools charged me Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000. I complained to the RTA two years ago but I was not given a refund,” Mr Kishan says.
Driving school instructors are found to be working in collusion with staff at the RTAs.
“I appeared for an LLR test last year at Hyderabad West Zone. I did absolutely nothing with the computer test. In fact, the RTA staff answered the questions on my behalf and I passed. The test for permanent driving licence was also similar,” claims G.V. Ramana, a businessman from Mehdipatnam.
The Road Transport Officer from Central Zone, G.P.N. Prasad, says vehicle inspectors frequently inspect driving schools. “We have registered cases against a few of them for using damaged vehicles and training without a learner’s permit,” he says.
Franchise system is a violation
Driving school instructors are even sharing their licence to operate with others by offering a franchise agreement in violation of rules.
Such franchise outlets are illegal and rules require instructors to obtain Form-2 and 4 for operating a school.
An agent from the Uppal RTO’s office says these franchise outlets do not maintain records on applicants trained.
“There must night driving classes, too, but these driving schools do not follow rules. Some enterprises run by car manufacturers follow regulations,” he adds.
Central Zone RTO G.P.N. Prasad says RTAs’ vigilance teams should inspect schools regularly. “According to rules, driving school operators must register their vehicles with the RTA. We have registered cases against unauthorised vehicles,” he tells DC..
