Kerala updates driving test format for safety improvements

The state government is changing its driving test format. Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar announced this in the assembly on Friday. The traditional ‘H’ pattern will be replaced with a new format that includes reverse parking and hill-starts. This change aims to better assess driving skills and make the licensing process more effective. Minister Kumar also revealed concerns about some officials in the motor vehicles department. He claimed that these officials were unfairly failing students from KSRTC driving schools. He cited an example in Thiruvananthapuram, where nine students were failed for a minor mistake that should not have impacted their test. The minister stressed that while the testing process is getting stricter, it is important to maintain quality. The pass rate for driving tests has significantly dropped. It used to be around 80-90%, but now it has fallen to 52%. The minister emphasized that the focus is on quality testing over simply passing more candidates. Kumar also announced new safety measures for school buses. All school buses will need to install cameras inside and outside by June 1. This requirement is also being applied to fitness tests for vehicles. The government is working to create automatic testing grounds, with three already completed and more planned. He plans to take strong action against reckless driving, especially in Kozhikode and Kannur. For Malappuram, the transport commissioner will visit personally to clear a backlog of service applications. Additional officers will also be sent to help. The minister proposed using motorcycles for vehicle inspectors to cut costs and improve efficiency. These motorcycles will have cameras to ensure transparency in enforcement. Finally, he rejected changes to national motor vehicle laws that seem to benefit certain corporations, especially regarding license plates.