JAMMU, JANUARY 14:The Motor Vehicle Department , under the leadership of Transport Commissioner J&K, Vishesh Mahajan, today launched the Driving Skill Test at the Institute of Driving Training and Research in Khaink, Kot Bhalwal.
The testing track, currently under construction, is being developed with advanced automation systems by Maruti Suzuki India Limited and is expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2025. The Transport Commissioner was accompanied by Joint Transport Commissioner Vinay Samotra and RTO Jammu Pankaj Bhagotra during the launch.
The decision to initiate the driving skill tests at the under-construction IDTR aims to provide driving license aspirants with a more challenging, real-life environment, helping them to better prepare for the complexities of road safety. The MVD is committed to reducing road fatalities by ensuring that individuals are better trained and equipped for responsible driving.
Transport Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan emphasized, “This initiative is a critical step towards creating safer roads by ensuring that license aspirants are tested in a modern, realistic setting. Once fully automated, the IDTR will set new standards in driving education and testing.”
Aligned with the Government’s vision of promoting technology-driven infrastructure in the transportation sector, the initiative also aims to ensure that all aspirants are trained in compliance with road safety rules. During an interaction with DL test aspirants, the Transport Commissioner urged them to strictly follow road safety regulations, warning that violators would face stringent punitive measures.
Additionally, he directed that the Driving License Test Board should not conduct tests for two-wheeler aspirants without helmets and for four-wheeler aspirants without seat belts. A Road Safety pledge was also taken by all present at the Driving Test Ground.
The event was managed and conducted by a team from MVD, including ARTO Headquarters Rehana Tabassam, ARTO Kuldeep Singh, ARTO Mudasir Iqbal, ARTO Bipen Singh Charak, and other MVD officers such as Vikas Srivats, Jasbir Singh , Jagandeep Singh , Amanish Sharma , and Tarunjot Singh .