Thiruvananthapuram: The State Government has issued a new order revising the conditions of driving tests. As per the new guidelines, it is not mandatory for the candidates to attend driving schools to receive a license or to appear for the driving test. They can learn to drive using their own vehicle and can use it to appear for the test as well.

Though the permission to use one's own vehicle for the test was there in earlier orders, self-learning was never emphasised in them. It is also noteworthy that the order promoting self-learning comes at a time when driving school owners and employees were opposing the change in driving test rules.

Candidates who have acquired a learner's license can now train under the guidance of a licensed person. The Government has also asserted that certified driving trainers must accompany candidates if they train in a driving school class. However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has opposed this condition, citing the absence of certified trainers in many driving schools.

The new order also includes other details that were discussed by the Minister to settle a strike, such as the requirement for each officer to conduct 40 tests per day.

The CITU has announced that a State committee meeting will be held on May 29 to address further issues which were not agreed upon by the Minister in the last meeting.