HYDERABAD: The Regional Transport Authority is planning to impose a non-bailable offence on those driving without a licence, especially minors, to curb road accidents in the State. If the proposal materialises, Andhra Pradesh will be the first State in the country to make it a cognisable offence.

At present driving without a license is a non-cognisable offence and under Section 181 of the Central Motor Vehicle (CMV) Act, a person driving without licence is liable for imprisonment up to three months or a fine of Rs. 500 or even both.

The Transport Department has forwarded the proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The objective of the proposal is to restrict minors from driving vehicles and keep a tight vigil on those driving without proper driving licence, according to Joint Transport Commissioner N.V.Subba Rao.

As part of the proposal, people with driving licence too are being put under the scanner. If one is found to have caused the death of a person while driving, the licence stands cancelled and he/she cannot apply for a fresh licence for the next five years.

For a non-fatal accident, the licence will be revoked for a year, said Mr. Rao.

In case the Union Ministry does not oblige, transport officials said an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Motor Vehicle (APMV) Act could be brought about.

RTA is reportedly upgrading its software to see to it that drivers whose licences get cancelled do not get a fresh licence within the disqualification period.

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