driving tests on automated driver testing tracks

C1/5803/TC/13                                                                                  Transport Commissionerate,

                                                                                                           Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

                                                                                                           Dated 13.03.2013

                                         

                                                                   CIRCULAR No 04/13

Sub:-- Mort Vehicles Department – Driving Licenses-Conduct of test of competence through Automatic         Driver Testing Tracks-Procedures and Instructions issued-Reg.

Re:- 1)This office circular No 16/98 dated 01-06-1998

        2)This office circular No 20/98 dated 25-07-1998

                Directions were issued from this office vide circular No 20/98 that the test for LMV, two wheeler and three wheeler will be in two parts. Part I is the ground test and part II is the road test. The part I ground test for LMV shall be in H - track and in an 8 – track for two wheeler and three wheeler. The specifications of H and 8 tracks were specified in appendix A and B of the said circular.

                Due to phenomenal increase of motor vehicles on roads, the quality of driving is gaining more and more importance. It is very crucial to examine the driver’s skill and his knowledge in traffic rules thoroughly before the issue of driving license. Rule 15 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules deals with driving tests.

                With a view to improve the quality and transparency in conducting driving tests, and as a part of modernization of the department and implementation of e-governance activities the department has decided to set up Automated Driver Testing Tracks for LMV, Motor Cycles and 3 wheelers. One of such testing stations has been established and is functioning at Chevayoor, Kozhikkode.

Sub Rule (3) says that the applicant shall satisfy the person conducting the test that he is able to perform the matters prescribed in clauses (a) to (x). Clause (f) of the above sub rule read as ‘ stop and re-start the vehicle on a steep upward incline making proper use of brake or throttle and the foot brake without any rolling back, turn left and right corners correctly and make proper use of the rear view mirror before signaling’. Clause (k) read as ‘in the case of a vehicle having a reverse gear, driving the vehicle backwards, reverse it into a little opening either to the right or left under control with reasonable accuracy’. To examine the driver’s skill as specified above, a gradient track and a parking track are necessary in addition to the existing H track in the case of  LMV. Therefore the station set up Kozhikkode consists of an H - track, gradient track and parking track for conducting part I test for LMV and an 8 track for conducting part I test for two and three wheeler. The Video Analytics based monitoring system in the testing system will analyze the driving competence of the candidate objectively without human intervention and generate the recorded evidence automatically. The specifications of H -  track, gradient track and parking track for LMV is given in Annexure I and the specifications of 8 – track for two wheeler and there wheeler is given in Annexure II.

                Now for the purpose of testing the candidates in the automated track, it is decided to modify the clause 3 of the circular and the specifications of H and 8 tracks. The part I ground test for LMV shall consist of three parts namely (a) H track, (b) gradient track and (c) parking track as specified in Annexure-I. Candidates who pass the test in all the three tracks will be qualified in part I test for LMV. IF he/she fails in any of the item he/she shall be retested in that test only. If the candidate fails in test (a) he/she shall not be tested in test (b) or (c).

                In the case of two and three wheelers, the existing 8 track needs some modifications in the dimensions, so as to turn the vehicle in its minimum turning radius. Part I ground test for two and three wheelers will be in an 8-track as specified in Annexure-II.

                There is no change in part II road test specified in circular 20/98 except the items 5 and 10 in the case of LMV.

                The purpose of each test track is detailed below.           

H – Track (LMV)                                               

                The H track is for testing the ability and accuracy of a candidate to turn the vehicle left and right in forward and reverse gear in a limited space. When turning and reversing simultaneously, the front of the vehicle will swing wide and the driver should look over his shoulders for best view. This track is also intended for testing the ability in positioning of the vehicle before and after turning to the left or right.

Gradient track (LMV)

                The gradient track is for testing the ability of the driver to stop and restart the vehicle on a steep upward incline marking proper use of hand brake/accelerator, foot brake and clutch without any rolling back as specified in CMV Rule 15(k).

Parking track (LMV)

                The parking track is for testing the ability of the driver to park the vehicle in a parking area and to drive the vehicle backwards, reverse into a limited opening as specified in CMV Rule 15 (k)

8 -  Track I(Two wheeler and Three wheeler)     

                The 8 – shaped driving test yard is to assess the ability of a driver on left and right steering, sharp turning and negotiating roundabouts. The track is designed in conjunction with the minimum turning radius of motor cycles and three wheelers.

DRIVING TEST PROCEDURES      

H TRACK

1.       The candidate shall start from point A and return to point A, movement being A>B in forward gear, B>C in reverse gear, C>D in forward gear and D>A in reverse gear.

GRADIENT TRACK

1.      The applicant shall stop on the gradient within the stop lines.

2.    Re-start and drive the vehicle by using Accelerator/Hand brake, clutche and Foot brake without rolling back for more than 10 cm.

PARKING TRACK

1.      The candidate shall park the vehicle in an angular parking track by driving backwards.

8 TRACK              

1.      The candidate shall start from point A and return back to point A, movement being A>B>C>D>E>F>G>A, in forward gear.

A pictorial representation of the procedure is attached as Annexure III.

FAIL PARAMETERS

H TRACK

1.       Vehicle goes outside the track.

2.       Vehicle touches the poles fixed on the track.

3.       Vehicle stops during the course of driving.

GRADIENT TRACK

1.        Vehicle rolls back in excess to the allowance provided.

PARIKNG TRACK

1.        Vehicle goes out of track.

8 TRACK

1              Vehicle goes outside the track.

2              The candidate puts his/her foot on the ground while driving(for 2/W)

3              The vehicle stops during the course of driving.

A red dot represents the faill parameters and would be marked in the test sheets of the candidate if he/she commits a mistake. If any fail points are marked in the test sheet, the candidate will fail in part I of the test.

CANDIDATE ENTRY PROCEDURE

Stage I    Candidate appears before the officer and submits the application for driving license.

Stage II   The officer shall check the validity and other details in the learner’s license application. (The details will be fetched from the central server of the department by bar code scanning.)

Stage III   After successful verification the officer will issue a token/queue number to the candidate.

Stage IV   The candidate shall wait in the waiting room and on calling his token number, shall proceed to the driving testing track with his vehicle.

Stage V   At the entry of the track, a red signal will be displayed. The officer shall take the photo of the candidate with his vehicle using the system camera.

Stage VI   A green signal will be displayed and the candidate can proceed to the next stage with his vehicle.

Stage VII Auto rickshaws and two wheelers shall proceed to the 8 track. Light Motor Vehicles shall proceed to H track first, then to gradient track and then to parking track.

Stage VIII   After the test is completed, the test report generated by the system shall be provided to the candidates.

A pictorial representation of the procedure is attached as Annexure IV

                Only the candidates who have qualified in part I ground test in the respective class of vehicle will be eligible for Part II (Road) test. The above information shall be followed in all the Automated Driver Testing Tracks established/ to be established in the State. This will come into force with effect from 01-05-2013 onwards.

                                                                                                                                                                       Sd/-

                                                                                                                                                TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER