The recent launch of Screen Test Aid for Learner’s Licence (STALL) by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) was aimed at expediting the process of issuing driver’s licence to applicants. However, in the last fortnight, the pass percentage of applicants has come down from 80 per cent to merely 50 per cent.

Tough test: The Screen Test Aid for Learner’s Licence was introduced last month at the RTO. File pic

According to applicants, most of them are unaware of the new system. In addition, they allege that the descriptive questions are usually irrelevant for issuing driver’s licence. The new STALL system asks 15 multiple-choice questions out of which the applicants have to answer at least nine correctly to be eligible for licence. Every question has to be answered in less than 30 seconds.

Speaking to mid-day, Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Anil Valiv, said, “The questions are set by the National Information Centre and topics are related to basic traffic rules for the benefit of applicants. Since the system was recently introduced, it will take some time for the applicants to get a hang of it. Out of 2,500 applicants who have appeared for the test in the last 15 days, 1,250 have managed to clear it.”

In addition, the long wait in the queue for the test is another challenge that the RTO is currently facing. In order to streamline the process, authorities are planning to introduce a token system.

“Applicants will be able to sit for the test on a first-come-first-serve basis. We will also introduce a token system so that they don’t have to stand in queue for long. It will also help us increase the number of applicants appearing for the test in a day,” Valiv added.