Gone are the days when you require an agent or need to spend long hours at the Road Transport Office (RTO) for applying to get a learning licence. Now, you can apply online for the licence and even secure an appointment with the RTO inspector for the mandatory test.

The state Transport Department has started a facility on its website (www.mahatranscom.in) where applicants for the learning licence can apply online after submitting the necessary details. However, they will have to go to the RTO for the test before the licence is granted.

A senior official from the department said as compared to situations when the RTOs ran out of the forms and made people buy them at a premium from nearby shops, the applicants would be able to fill up the forms online and take a print once they have been submitted.

The people would also be able to seek an appointment from the officer concerned for the mandatory test and also get his contact details, along with information of the necessary fees and documents regarding age, address and nationality which need to be submitted. However, the old facility of applying at the offices is also available.

Minister of State for Transport Dr Satish Patil said the facility would also help reduce the influence of agents in the department. “This will be akin to the green channel set up by the Customs Department,” the transport department official said, adding that apart from helping people save time while applying for the licences, it will enable the RTO officials to plan their work in advance in addition to eliminating agents. The transport department website has a link to a mock learning licence test, which also gives out correct answers.

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