In a significant development for residents of Noida, obtaining a driving licence will now require a trip to Dadri starting August 1. The Transport Department of Gautam Buddha Nagar has announced that it will cease training and testing services at its Noida office. The distance between Noida and Dadri is approximately 35 kilometers. The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government transferred the responsibility of issuing driving licences to a third-party service provider. The company tasked with this duty is Shivam (Marbles) Driving and Training Centre.
Visit Dadri for Driving Tests Starting August 1
From August 1, residents will need to travel to Dadri for driving tests and training. The company has set up a new facility near Bisara in Dadri, equipped with simulators and tracks for automated and CCTV-monitored training and driving tests. Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Siyaram Verma confirmed that the Sector 33 Transport Department office will no longer handle driving licence applications after July 31. Therefore, applicants from Noida and Greater Noida must visit the Dadri centre for their tests and training starting August 1.
Transport Department to Outsource Driving Licence Processing
The district Transport Department, overwhelmed by paperwork, enlisted private companies to streamline the process of issuing driving licence. On average, the department receives 7,000 driving licence applications each month, with around 5,000 applications processed following tests and training. To manage the growing demand, a second centre operated by Sai Fire Appliances Pvt Ltd will be established in Jewar, with three additional centres planned, according to Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Siyaram Verma.
Locals Express Discontent Over New Driving Licence Centres
Many Noida residents have expressed frustration over the decision to relocate driving licence services to Dadri and Jewar, citing the impracticality of the distance. ‘If the government wants to establish centres in Dadri or Jewar, that’s their prerogative. However, discontinuing the service at the Noida office is inconvenient for residents,’ said KK Jain, General Secretary of the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA). Jain added that the association plans to meet with RTO officials to advocate for the continuation of services at the Noida office. Notably, Noida is approximately 35 kilometers from Dadri and about 50 kilometers from Jewar.
Training Fees for New Licence Between Rs 500-10,000
Shivam DTC owner Pawan Bansal reportedly said that the new Dadri centre, spanning 2 acres, features a state-of-the-art driving track, simulator, and CCTV cameras. The centre will provide training for light, medium, and heavy motor vehicles, along with specialized courses in night driving, hill driving, wet weather conditions, and handling vehicles with hazardous materials. Course fees at the DTC will vary from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000.
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