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 The new-format driving licence
in a smart card formatThe central RTO plans to issue a new-format driving licence by the end of May, in a smart card format, that will get traffic offenders in trouble. It will carry a chip, with complete details of past offences committed by the cardholder.
The police will use a laser card reader to gather the exact date, number and the type of traffic offences committed by the licence holder in the past.
Those committing over three offences will have to forfeit their driving license.
The card will cost Rs 200 and will be available within a day of application to residents of Mumbai. It will carry the photograph, thumb impression and signature of the driver.
A few years back the state government had introduced a proposal for Smart Cards, which failed to take off. This time on, we began by doing a pilot project in Pune and expect to be as successful in Mumbai. Drivers will get their card on the very day they apply for it, said Shyamsunder Shinde, the state transport commissioner.
Transport officials also feel that the introduction of Smart Cards will reduce touts at RTO centres. If the person can get his licence in a single day, why will he approach touts? asks Shinde.
The contract for undertaking this project has been given to UTL, a Hyderabad-based company. We are setting up a site office at RTO (central). Thirty to 40 RTO personnel from the city will be trained to operate at the Pune RTO, said BI Ajri, deputy regional transport officer, RTO (Central). | 
