Mandatory Road Safety Course for Driving Licence Applicants in Telangana
Learner’s Licence Holders Must complete 2.5-hour course before booking driving test
Hyderabad: In a major reform, the Telangana government has made it mandatory for applicants to complete a road safety course before appearing for a driving licence test. Only those who finish the course after obtaining a learner’s licence will be eligible to book a slot for the driving test.
The course includes learning 64 road safety rules and watching 120 instructional videos. It is divided into six modules, each lasting 25 minutes. Applicants must complete all modules and pass quizzes at the end of each section to qualify.
The Transport Department introduced the initiative based on recommendations from the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety. The course, designed by Transport Commissioner Ilyambarthi after studying global practices, aims to reduce human errors in road accidents and improve awareness of traffic rules among new drivers.
During its pilot phase at the Kukatpally RTO office, 1,070 applicants enrolled, of whom 890 successfully completed the course.
The programme is available free of cost in Telugu, Hindi, English, and Urdu. It can be accessed on mobile phones, laptops, or desktops with a camera, as face registration is required. Applicants can pause and resume the course as needed.
Apart from rules, the videos cover practical driving aspects such as starting a vehicle, using the handbrake, adjusting mirrors, wearing seatbelts, and proper use of lights. It also includes guidance on safety for children and women while travelling.
Officials said around 60% of the funding for course content development was provided by UNICEF. After addressing initial gaps, the Transport Department plans to roll out the programme across the state.
Globally, driver training is more rigorous. In Australia, drivers under 25 must complete at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours at night. In the UK, learners undergo 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of supervised practice, while in the US, drivers complete classroom instruction and practical training before licensing.