Perumbavoor: Driving schools in Perumbavoor are facing serious allegations of extorting additional fees from licence applicants under the guise of ‘ground rent’. The issue has sparked outrage as there is currently no government-owned driving test facility in the region, forcing applicants to rely on a privately arranged site.

According to complaints, applicants appearing for their motor vehicle driving test are being charged Rs 500 in the name of ground rent, in addition to the standard training fees, RT office charges, and customary ‘offerings’ for driving instructors.

The Driving School Owners’ Association here is said to have rented 50 cents of land opposite the Joint RTO office in Pattal to serve as the test ground. The rent for the land is reportedly Rs 25,000 per month, yet collections allegedly far exceed this figure.

High revenue estimated from ground rent

Driving tests are conducted five days a week for two-, three-, and four-wheelers, with up to 40 applicants per batch. On some days, two batches are tested, and individuals with special permissions also attend. Local estimates suggest a daily collection of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, raising questions over the transparency and legality of these charges.

Despite the alleged high revenue, the test ground lacks basic amenities, including toilets and clean drinking water. Moreover, while rules permit only one instructor per school to accompany candidates during the test, multiple instructors are reportedly entering the premises, raising concerns over security and procedural violations.

RTO seeks explanation; warning issued

Joint RTO S. Pradeep confirmed that an explanation has been sought from the driving school operators. The RTO has also instructed driving school operators not to collect any additional fees under the pretext of ground rent and foregrounded the importance of treating all applicants with courtesy and respect.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has identified 60 cents of land in Malamury for constructing a new RT office and government-owned test ground. However, no action has been taken to develop the site.