Delhi gets its 1st Fully Automated Driving Test Centre

In November 2017, Maruti had announced that it would setup Fully Automated Driving Test Centres (ADTCs) in India. The first such test centre has been inaugurated at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mayur Vihar Phase I. Three more test centres have started operating in Vishwas Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti.

Maruti Suzuki has partnered with the Delhi Government to setup ADTCs in the city. The company has invested Rs. 20 crore in the project which aims to make issuance of driving license, comprehensive, convenient and more efficient with minimal human intervention.

The test facilities use access control equipped with biometric, RFID recognition systems to allow entry of applicants only at pre-assigned time slots. The facilities have scientifically designed test tracks and use high definition cameras to evaluate applicants for 20 driving skills. There are tracks for testing reverse parallel parking, up-gradient, Forward-8, Reverse-S, Traffic Junction, H-Track for four-wheelers and to test the overtaking skills of the applicants. The test tracks have an exit passage so that applicants who fail mid-way can exit the track.

Two-wheeler applicants are evaluated for their maneuvering skills on a serpentine track. Applicants will also be tested for emergency braking skills and skills to ride on a straight ramp. 

The ADTCs will be operated by the Department of Transport, Delhi and Maruti Suzuki will maintain it for the next 3 years. Similar ADTCs will be set up at Lado Sarai, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni, Rohini, Jharoda Kalan and Dwarka.