June 18, 2019 / 17:59 IST
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to remove the requirement of minimum educational qualification for driving a transport vehicle.
Under Rule 8 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, a transport vehicle driver needs to have passed class 8 to obtain a commercial driving licence.
The decision comes after a recent meeting at the Transport ministry where the Haryana government requested for waiver of the educational qualification condition for drivers from the economically backward Mewat region.
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The state government said that despite having the requisite skill, people could not obtain commercial driver licence as they could not meet the educational requirements.
Removal of this requirement may open up employment opportunities for skilled youth. The decision will also help meet the shortage of nearly 22 lakh drivers in the transport and logistics sector, which is hindering its growth.
"Driving being more a matter of skill than of educational competence, the condition of minimum educational qualification acts as a hindrance for the otherwise eligible unemployed youth," the statement said.
However, the Ministry has emphasised on stringent skill training and testing along with regulation of driver training facilities.
The training imparted by a school or establishment as mentioned in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 should ensure that the driver can read signs and perform logistical duty such as maintain driver logs, inspect trucks and trailers, submit pre and post-trip records, determine discrepancies in the paperwork, and effectively communicate to report safety hazards.
Schools and establishments which provide vocational training and skill facilities are subject to regulatory control by the states.
The Ministry had already proposed the removal of the requirement for educational qualification in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill that was passed by the previous Lok Sabha.
The subject was also deliberated upon by the Standing Committee and Select committee of the Parliament. The process has been initiated and a draft notification will soon be issued.
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