Thiruvananthapuram: Driving schools have boycotted the driving test on the first day on Saturday after motor vehicle department (MVD) made gradient and reverse parking test mandatory for light motor vehicle driver's license from April 1. Sources at the MVD's automated test track at Muttathara said the decision was taken in February itself. However, the schools had sought time. The MVD then extended it to April 1. The decision was to utilise the automated test tracks in available places and conduct the test under the supervision of MVD inspectors at other locations.
Though the driving schools had accepted the April 1 deadline for the new rules, when it was enforced they boycotted on the first day itself, sources said. The tests are conducted at 71 places across the state including four automated ones in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Parassala. Reverse parking and gradient tests were already mandated by the rules but were not being strictly enforced. However, there was a criticism that it had an effect on the quality of drivers, affecting road safety.
