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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter II
Section 12
Driving Schools and Establishments
Licensing of Drivers of Motor Vehicles
Fine: N/ACompoundable: N/AEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make schemes providing for the establishment and recognition of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles, and such schemes may include provisions — (a) for the recognition of such schools or establishments by the licensing authority; (b) for the recognition of certificates of proficiency in driving issued by such schools or establishments; and (c) for such other matters as may be necessary.
Simplified Explanation
Section 12 empowers State Governments to establish and regulate driving schools as an alternative pathway to obtaining a driving licence. The 2019 Amendment significantly strengthened this provision — accredited driving schools under Section 12 can now issue certificates of driver competency that are accepted as an alternative to the RTO driving test. This was a major policy shift: previously, the RTO driving test was the only pathway, creating bottlenecks and corruption opportunities. Accredited driving schools must meet prescribed standards for training facilities, instructors, vehicles, curriculum, and safety. The scheme creates a market-based quality improvement mechanism — schools compete for business by maintaining standards that earn continued accreditation.
Historical Context
Unregulated driving schools have operated across India for decades with highly variable quality. The 2019 Amendment's push to accredit driving schools as alternative testing authorities was inspired by successful models in developed countries where certified driving schools play a central role in licensing.Critical Changes
Accredited driving schools can now certify driver competence as alternative to RTO test — MVA Amendment 2019.
National standards for driving school facilities, instructors, and curriculum prescribed.
Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) model promoted nationally.
Practical Scenarios
"An IDTR (Institute of Driving and Traffic Research) in Delhi — a Section 12 accredited driving school whose certification is accepted by Delhi RTO."
"A private driving school without accreditation — cannot issue certificates in lieu of the RTO test."
Common Queries
Under Section 12 as amended in 2019, accredited driving schools can issue certificates of competency that are accepted by RTOs in lieu of the standard driving test. However, only schools specifically recognised/accredited under the state scheme qualify — not all private driving schools.