Chandigarh, April 24: Punjab is set to transition to an AI-driven driving test system that will allow successful applicants to receive their licences on the same day they complete their evaluation. The Punjab State Transport Society has issued a Request for Proposal to modernize 32 Automated Driving Test Tracks across the state using artificial intelligence, with the goal of making the process operational within the next two months.
The move follows a successful pilot project at the Mohali Regional Transport Authority, where the introduction of AI-based testing caused the pass rate to drop from 90 percent to 42 percent. Officials stated that this decline reflects a stricter and more transparent assessment of skills, ensuring that only competent drivers are authorized to operate vehicles on public roads.
A senior transport department official affirmed that the technological shift is essential for improving road safety and eliminating human bias. A technology-driven system will not only improve efficiency and transparency but also enhance accountability within the department, the officer declared. He maintained that the new infrastructure will be far more citizen-friendly, combining digital appointments with upgraded waiting areas.
The AI-powered system, known as Harnessing Automobile for Safety, utilizes iris scanning and facial recognition to prevent proxy candidates from taking tests. Once a candidate begins, a mounted smartphone evaluates their driving performance in real time. The official asserted that the app automatically generates a result without manual intervention, removing the possibility of manipulation or illegal fees.
