Withdraw Driver’s Licence From Illiterate Persons: Rajasthan HC

A plea was filed by a light vehicle license holder who sought the court’s intervention to get a transport license.

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Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday, 29 May, directed the state transport authorities to revoke driver's license issued to "illiterate" persons, saying that they are a "menace for the pedestrians".

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma issued the order that said, "The license cannot be allowed to be issued for driving any kind of vehicle to an illiterate person as he is virtually a menace for the pedestrians as he would not be in a position to understand road signs and notices of caution written on boards for human safety on the highways as well as on the roads in the cities," as quoted by Bar and Bench.

The license of Light Motor Vehicles issued to the petitioner and similar persons also must be therefore withdrawn in the light of what has been stated herein above, the order said.

The order was passed after a petition was filed by a light motor vehicle license holder who sought the court's intervention to get a transport license. He has also said that he had been driving for 13 years before seeking the license.

However, when the court observed that the man is illiterate, the environment inside the courtroom changed.

The court observed, “In the opinion of this court, the Motor Vehicle Rules are required to be framed not only for the benefit of persons who seek license but also taking into consideration the public who are using the roads.”

The court directed the state transport authorities to issue appropriate instructions in this regard “laying down guidelines. Action should also be taken where licenses have been issued to persons who are unable to read and write."

(With inputs from Bar and Bench)