Ahmedabad: A widespread racket involving the procurement of permanent driving licences from other states after obtaining learner’s licences in Gujarat is reportedly operating unchecked, even as the state government spends lakhs of rupees on implementing AI-based driving tests.

Despite the exposure of the illegal practice, officials at the Transport Commissioner’s Office are alleged to have taken little or no action.

It is learnt that the applicants first obtain a learner’s licence in Gujarat and then secure permanent licences from other states such as Rajasthan, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, often without appearing for a driving test. These licences are later transferred to Gujarat by submitting applications for change of address at local Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). It is believed that more than 150 such permanent licences have been detected at various RTOs across the state.

Officials reportedly approve these applications after verifying address-related documents submitted along with the licences. However, in recent months, a surge in change-of-address applications involving learner’s and permanent licences issued in other states raised concerns among transport officials, who flagged the issue to the Transport Commissioner’s Office. The Commissioner’s Office is said to have written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), stating that such practices should not be permitted. Despite this, no concrete action has reportedly been taken by senior officials.

How Licences Are Procured from Other States Through Agents

Under the prevailing modus operandi, an applicant residing anywhere in Gujarat first obtains a learner’s licence from the local RTO. Thereafter, with the help of agents, the applicant secures a permanent driving licence from cities such as Jodhpur in Rajasthan, selected cities in Madhya Pradesh, and even smaller states like Assam. In some cases, the applicant reportedly does not even travel to these states to complete the process.

The permanent licences issued bear the official insignia of the transport authorities of the respective states. Once the licence is obtained, the applicant applies for a change of address at the Gujarat RTO corresponding to their place of residence, thereby transferring the licence to Gujarat records. This process effectively enables individuals to obtain permanent driving licences without undergoing any driving test. DeshGujarat