Ghaziabad’s new automated driving test centre to open next week

Ghaziabad: Starting next week, driving licence applicants in Ghaziabad will have to take tests at the new automated driving training centre (ADTC) in Raj Nagar Extension. The new centre, which is set to open on Jan 17, aims to improve the driving test process, officials said.
Currently, a driving test involves a simple 30-metre driving and reversing test with a 95% pass rate at the RTO office. The current manual testing process lacks the infrastructure to adequately assess driving skills. Applicants currently drive a car on a short, straight track, marked by tyres, forward and in reverse. There is no time limit, resulting in a very high pass rate.
The ADTC is expected to introduce more rigorous testing procedures, similar to those in Noida's Bisada village, and will offer training for various vehicle types. Ghaziabad processes approximately 5,000 driving licence applications, both temporary and permanent, on a monthly basis. This averages to over 160 applications daily.
Tests undertaken at the ADTC in Bisada, which was established in Aug last year, include a reverse manoeuvre within 50 seconds, navigating eight bends in 45 seconds, and completing both box parking and gradient driving, each within a 45-second time limit.
According to RTO PK Singh, the state govt had issued an order in April 2023 for the opening of an ADTC in Ghaziabad. The govt also issued an SOP for the setting up of this centre, which outlined requirements including a driving track, simulator, reception area, and parking facilities for the centre.
"D-Pak ATS Centre Pvt Ltd, a private company, has been contracted by govt to operate the Raj Nagar Extension ADTC for five years. This centre is licensed to conduct training for two-wheelers, light motor vehicles, heavy motor vehicles, and e-rickshaws," Singh said.
"The Ghaziabad ADTC will mirror the Dadri centre's facilities and testing procedures. The planned operational date for the Ghaziabad ADTC is Jan 17, 2025. The implementation of the ADTC is expected to increase transparency and efficiency in the driving test process," said ARTO Rahul Srivastava.
Ghaziabad has a population of approximately 46 lakh and 11.9 lakh registered vehicles. This includes 7,97,000 two-wheelers and 2,81,000 four-wheelers.