Kozhikode: Driving schools are facing significant difficulties due to recurring issues with the Parivahan Sarathi website, which handles driving licence-related applications. Although the application fee is deducted from applicants' accounts, many are unable to obtain a printout of the payment receipt. Without this printout, the Road Transport Offices (RTOs) refuse to process licence applications, leaving driving school students stuck.

Complaints have surged as the website frequently experiences downtime. According to online service operators, out of every ten applications, at least two fail to generate a fee payment printout. This leaves applicants unable to complete their application process or reapply, as the system does not allow for a second fee payment.

This technical failure has led to growing frustration among applicants, often resulting in disputes with driving schools and online service providers. Driving schools have been trying to reassure applicants, explaining that while the money is deducted from their bank accounts, the system glitch is causing the delay. Although the Sarathi website offers a reprint option.

The Parivahan Sarathi website is managed by the Central Government's Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. According to RTO officials, once an applicant arrives at their office, there is little they can do to resolve the issue. Complaints about payment failures are being forwarded to the Ministry's headquarters in Delhi.

Although there is an option to register complaints directly on the website, applicants have reported that it is slow to provide solutions.

Nazar Usman, State General Secretary of the Driving School Owners Association, expressed his concern over the ongoing technical issues: “The Parivahan website's glitches are causing a crisis for driving school students. Immediate action is necessary to resolve these problems.”