New Delhi: Almost every third driving licence in India could be 'bogus' with a staggering number of over five crore people driving on roads with fake documents, according to official data.
However, those found to be driving with fake licences may soon be jailed for up to a year in addition to a hefty penalty of Rs 10,000 -- up from the current penalty provision of Rs 500 and a maximum jail term of three months.
In case of juvenile drivers, the owner of the vehicle or the driver's guardian will face stricter penalties of up to three years in jail and fine of up to Rs 20,000, while their vehicle registration certificate may also be cancelled.
"In India, 30 per cent of the licences are bogus. We need to check it. We are going to start an online system where computerised tests will be conducted to obtain driving licences. Every one -- whether a politician, an official or a celebrity -- will have to take the test to get the licence.
There will be complete transparency," Indian Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told PTI.
An official said the Ministry has collated data of about 18 crore licences and an estimated 5.4 crore of them fall under the "bogus" category, which need to be checked.
An earlier government survey of about six crore driving licences had found nearly 74 lakh fake ones.
Terming the Road Transport and Safety Bill as key to make Indian roads safer, Gadkari said an estimated 1.5 lakh people die every year in the country in road accidents and the proposed law will overhaul the entire system including about issuance of driving licences.
"We are hopeful that the Bill would get passed in the next session of Parliament with states on board now on this matter as the subject falls in the concurrent list," he said.
