Violators cannot apply for another licence

After possession of the original licence was made mandatory for motorists, the Transport Department has instructed all the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the city, to strictly update the data on violators on this particular count.

According to transport officials, the department used to receive an average of 300 to 400 licenses per month, seized from motorists for traffic violations. However, RTO officials expect the numbers to go up in the coming days.

When asked about the different types of licences, S Velusamy, Joint Transport Commissioner (Road Safety), Transport Department, told DTNext, “There are only two kind of license. Earlier, we used to issue licences which did not have a bar code. However, licences which were issued about one- and-a- half years ago have a bar code. As far as suspension is concerned, we manually cancel the licences and update the details in our data base.” He also added that all the RTOs across the state can upload th data on thir systems.

The JTC pointed out that police personnel cannot suspend the licence on the spot and only officials in respective RTOs can do so, based on the violations.

The drivers of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), who are by and large known for traffic violations like over-speeding and signal- jumping in the city, are strictly instructed to carry their original driving licences with them. V Krishnamurthy, MD of MTC, said “A communication regarding this has been conveyed to all the drivers. Further, the drivers have also been instructed to renew their licences, if necessary or else we will mark them absent, till they renew.”

Officials confirmed that they have received the instructions from their superior officers. A senior official attached to the Ayanavaram RTO said “We have received a communication from the transport department to follow the guidelines, whereby, details of violators should promptly be updated. Since transport department has been computerised, no violators can apply for another fresh licence, in the event of it being seized by the authorities and escape the law.”

SUSPENSION: HOW IT WORKS