Thiruvananthapuram: Candidates appearing for driving licence tests in Kerala can now use automatic and electric vehicles under the Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) category, according to a directive from the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD). 

Officials were instructed during a recent departmental review meeting not to turn away applicants who arrive for tests in such vehicles. The decision aligns with a Kerala High Court order that had already lifted the earlier restrictions.

Despite the court’s ruling and previous departmental guidelines, several regional offices across the state continued to deny permission for automatic or electric vehicles during tests. The matter was revisited during the meeting, where concerns were raised about licence holders being legally entitled to drive mini tippers weighing up to seven tonnes under the LMV category. However, the department resolved to adhere strictly to the court order.

Since the LMV category does not differentiate between manual, automatic or electric vehicles, the test will remain unified. This means candidates presenting automatic or e-vehicles will now be able to complete their driving test without hindrance.

Driving schools in the state already have automatic cars, though these vehicles can only be used for testing once they are officially added to the school’s registered list. Officials clarified that this is purely a procedural step and within a week, such vehicles from driving schools will also be made available for licence tests.