NEW DELHI: More than 40% of applicants who appear for a skill test at one of Delhi’s 12 automated driving test tracks fail to qualify for a permanent driving licence. In view of the high failure rate, Delhi government is introducing some modifications in the different tests without compromising on its aim of bringing down the number of injuries and deaths caused by road crashes. Unlike conventional tests, automated tracks simulate tougher driving conditions where the entire range of an applicant’s skills are tested. As a result, many applicants find it difficult to clear the exacting test the first time, despite being shown videos and tutorials before it. One of the major changes that would come into effect from Monday is that “touching” the yellow line would not result in an applicant failing the test. “The touch on the yellow line is monitored through very sensitive sensors. The new criteria will mean that applicants will only be failed if they actually hit a divider or kerb, making the test more objective,” said an official on the condition of anonymity. The changes were brought through an order issued on Friday by Delhi government’s transport department. It stated that “subsequent to the observation of the higher failure driving tests at Automated Driving Test Tracks”, the department was concerned about “public inconvenience”. The department had constituted a committee and its recommendations were going to be implemented at all test tracks from August 8. Another important change is increasing the time allowed to clear a particular test. For instance, applicants would now have 200 seconds to complete a “Reverse S” test instead of the earlier 180 seconds. Similarly, the time allowed for parallel parking has been increased from 120 seconds to 150 seconds. At the gradient test, applicants would be failed in case they roll back by 18 inches, compared with 12 inches till now. Applicants for a permanent driving licence for a two-wheeler would now be allowed to touch the ground with their feet twice compared with the current criteria where a foot touching the ground resulted in failure. Also, the last circle around which applicants were expected to ride their two-wheeler used to be smaller compared with the other two circles, but now all circles would be of a similar size. “We will also be discontinuing the boom barriers as the purpose can also be served by red lights without psychologically affecting the applicant. When the automated test tracks were first introduced a few years ago, 60-70% applicants used to fail the test. The number has come down to 40-45% now, but these few modifications will help more applicants pass the test without compromising with road safety,” said the official.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/every-second-counts-why-driving-test-could-be-less-of-a-nightmare-in-delhi/articleshow/93416237.cms
