Owners of driving schools have not implemented the revised guidelines of having at least a 600-sq ft classroom, despite the deadline expiring on Saturday and the government warning that they would have to shut down if they did not adhere to the prescribed norms.
Only a handful of driving schools among more than 1,600 have applied for renewal of permits after carrying out necessary alterations, a senior official from the state transport authority told DC.
Transport department had earlier issued a circular directing RTO officials to follow certain revised guidelines while granting licenses to new driving schools and also for renewal of licenses for existing schools in the state.
This was aimed at producing quality drivers and ensuring the safety of road users. The guidelines mandated driving schools to have at least 1,000 sq.ft space for classrooms, adequate parking area, fire-safety measures, drinking water facility and toilets, and also prohibited training on public roads.
However, Madras HC later relaxed several clauses, including the one preventing driving schools from training in public places.
The court ordered the government to resolve the issue after consulting with driving schools. Following the directive, the authorities reduced space requirement from 1,000 sq.ft to 600 sq ft and set March 31, 2012, as the deadline for adherence to the norms.
When asked, the president of the State Driving School Owners Federation, Velusamy, said only 20 per cent of the 2,200 driving schools, that too mostly those in rural areas, fulfill the norms.