Failed test at RTO? Take appointment to reappear

NASHIK: Candidates seeking learner’s or permanent licence, who have failed or were found absent during the examination conducted by the regional transport authority, will now have to take prior appointment before reappearing for the exam. The new rule implemented by the regional transport office (RTO) on March 24 has received mixed reactions from the citizens.
Earlier, if a candidate failed to pass the test for the learning licence conducted online, he would be allowed to reappear for it the next day. Applicants failing in the driving test would also be allowed to reappear anytime after seven days. The candidates did not need to take appointment for appearing for the tests.
However, with the fresh notification issued by the RTO, the candidates will not be allowed to appear for the examination unless the necessary formalities of booking an appointment are done. The decision came into effect from Wednesday.
Assistant regional transport officer Sudam Suryawanshi said the move was aimed to streamline the existing system and balance the workload on the officials.
“These instructions existed since September and December 2014 where the candidates appearing for the above mentioned tests had to take an appointment. But the candidates had been given some relaxation to get accustomed to the new system. It has now been decided to only allow those candidates, who book prior appointment, to take the test,” Suryawanshi said.
He further said the applicants would not have to re-enter the details and the web ID provided to them on the official website, www.sarathi.nic.in, during the application process would suffice to book a date convenient for them.
The official said, “Slots are created each day and allotted to the officials responsible for conducting tests for ‘n’ number of candidates. But, if the number of candidates is more than the decided slot, it puts more load on the machinery and affects time management. The testing process ends up getting prolonged.”
Suryawanshi said that if prior appointment is taken, the RTO would know how many candidates would appear for the day and ensure that enough time and attention is provided to the candidates.
Another official at the RTO said that around eight candidates had to be turned away on the first day of the implementation of the new rule.
Sunil Padale, a graduate student who appeared for the test for the second time on Wednesday, said it was good move by the RTO. “If a person takes an appointment beforehand it would ensure that his test finishes on time as well,” he said.
Another professional, Rakesh Gangurde, said that many a times the officials had to rush to finish the test if the number of applicants for the test was more. “If the load is limited, the officials would also attend to all the candidates. This will also help keep a check on people entering the queue in the middle,” he said.
The decision has, however, upset a few. Alka Darange, who operates a driving school, said the decision may create an issue as some appointments may be booked for months in advance.