Driving licence on Plus Two completion: Kerala gears up to add pre-licence training in schools

Thrissur (Kerala): Similar to the state's industrial policy, Kerala will formulate a comprehensive Transport Policy, announced Transport Minister C P John during a 'Meet the Press' event at the Thrissur Press Club. Stating that it is time to launch a major Road Safety Literacy Mission, the Minister emphasised the government's belief that road safety issues cannot be resolved through laws, fines and punitive actions alone.

He stressed that the democratic and courteous use of roads is paramount. Requesting suggestions from the public, Minister C P John asked for suitable official names for this initiative, which is currently provisionally titled the 'Road Safety Literacy Mission'.

Under the proposed policy, a pre-licence training scheme will be integrated into the school curriculum, enabling students to receive their driving licence upon completing Higher Secondary (Plus Two). The Transport Department has formally written to the General Education Department regarding this proposal, the Minister informed.

Students in Classes 10, 11 and 12 will be given hands-on opportunities to inspect broken-down or damaged vehicles brought to schools to understand their mechanical workings and technical operation firsthand, he added.

Highlighting current road statistics, the Minister noted that there are currently 1.92 crore registered vehicles in Kerala, with over 1 crore actively operating on the roads. He pointed out that the vast majority of motorists entering the roads are first-generation drivers.

Furthermore, in coordination with the Health Department, a system will be set up to ensure ambulance assistance reaches patients anywhere in Kerala within 10 to 15 minutes of an emergency call.

In addition to road transport, the state's inland water transport infrastructure will be upgraded. Addressing queries on transport concessions, the Minister clarified that there are no plans to extend the Priyadarshini bus scheme to other buses, adding that further travel concessions cannot be granted to boys or male senior citizens at present.