Maruti Suzuki to automate driving license test tracks in 5 UP cities 

LUCKNOW/New Delhi: India’s auto major Maruti Suzuki India Limited signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Transport Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh to automate driving license test tracks at Driver Training and Testing Institutes (DTTIs) at Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Prayagraj and Varanasi. The initiative is aimed to make the process of issuance of a driving license more comprehensive, efficient, and transparent by use of advanced technology. The MoA was signed by Shri Chandra Bhushan Singh (IAS), Transport Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Tarun Agarwal, Vice President, CSR, Maruti Suzuki.

The DTTIs will be equipped with scientifically laid test tracks, high-definition cameras, and an integrated IT system for accurate testing of driving skills. The driving license aspirants will be assessed at these advanced facilities. With a strong focus on encouraging safe driving, only aspirants with proficient driving skills will be able to secure a driving license. Under the MoA, driving license test tracks for Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV), Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and 2-wheelers will be automated by Maruti Suzuki.

Shri Chandra Bhushan Singh (IAS), Transport Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh said “We are extremely delighted to partner with Maruti Suzuki in making the issuance of driving license more scientific and transparent. Under the MoA, test tracks at Driver Training and Testing Institutes (DTTIs) at Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Prayagraj and Varanasi will be automated. This will make our roads safer, help bring down road accidents and save lives”

Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, who also attended the signing ceremony, said, “We are excited to partner with Government of Uttar Pradesh under the vibrant leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, to strengthen driving testing system in the state by deploying state-of-the-art technology. For over two decades, Maruti Suzuki has been working tirelessly towards 5Es of road safety (Engineering, Education, Evaluation, Enforcement and Emergency care) and have trained over 44 lakh people in safe driving training through our 8 Institutes of Driving and Traffic Research across India.”

He added, “The automation of driving license test tracks at DTTIs is an important reform in license issuance system as it ensures zero human intervention in testing. Driver license aspirants are comprehensively assessed in an objective and transparent manner with video analytics all within ten minutes, thus ensuring that only those with requisite skills are issued a driving license. We thank Government of Uttar Pradesh for this opportunity to collaborate towards safe and responsible driving.”

As part of the project, Maruti Suzuki will undertake automation of the driving license test track using requisite technology in line with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) to accurately evaluate essential driving skills of the aspirants. The Government of Uttar Pradesh will be responsible for the civil work & operation of the center for issuance of the driving licenses to eligible aspirants.

Maruti Suzuki’s efforts in Road Safety:

Maruti Suzuki identifies Road Safety as a key area of intervention for its CSR efforts, under which the Company has undertaken multiple initiatives. In partnership with the Transport Departments of Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar & Haryana, the Company has set up Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs), of which the Company has facilitated 100% computerized driving license testing across all centers in Delhi.

Maruti Suzuki has set up Institutes of Driving & Traffic Research (IDTRs) and Road Safety Knowledge Centers (RSKCs), where over 44 lakh drivers have been trained & evaluated since 1999. The Company has also partnered with the Delhi Government to implement Traffic Safety Management System (TSMS) where high-resolution cameras and radar systems have been placed at 13 junctions in the city, through which traffic violations have been identified, and more than 33 lakh challans have been issued between 2019 and March 2022.