A file image of Transport Minister Charan Boro

Guwahati, June 26: Assam's Transport Minister Charan Boro announced on Friday that the Transport Department will implement a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at enhancing road safety and addressing irregularities in the driving licence issuance process. This initiative will make driving tests compulsory for all applicants and will prohibit cross-district applications.

During his visit to the District Transport Office (DTO) in Guwahati, Boro highlighted the numerous complaints regarding the issuance of driving licences without the applicants undergoing driving tests.

He stated, "There have been numerous claims that individuals are acquiring driving licences without taking the required tests. We have also received reports of candidates who do not attend the tests yet still manage to obtain licences. Additionally, there are cases where individuals travel to different districts to secure a driving licence. We will soon enforce an SOP that mandates a driving test for all licence seekers," he remarked during his visit.

The minister emphasized that the new regulations would guarantee that no driving licence is granted without the applicant's physical presence. Furthermore, applicants will be restricted from obtaining licences from districts other than their own.

"We are addressing these concerns with utmost seriousness due to the increasing number of complaints and the alarming rise in road accidents. Despite implementing various road safety initiatives, the number of accidents continues to grow. It is crucial that only trained and competent drivers are permitted on the roads," he added.

Boro also noted that many District Transport Offices in the state currently lack adequate facilities for conducting driving tests.

"If not this year, then by next year, every DTO will feature a dedicated driving test track. I have taken personal responsibility for this initiative. Once driving test centres are established in every DTO, we will ensure that only qualified drivers receive licences," he stated.

The minister further mentioned that he would personally evaluate DTOs statewide to assess infrastructure and oversee the implementation of the proposed reforms aimed at enhancing the driver licensing process.

It is worth noting that over 1,000 individuals lost their lives in more than 4,200 road accidents in the state during the first quarter of 2026 alone.

The State Transport Department reported 4,219 road accidents and 1,008 fatalities from January to March this year, compared to 4,232 accidents and 1,035 deaths during the same timeframe in 2025—a slight decrease, yet still concerning.

Nine districts, including Guwahati City, Kamrup, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Barpeta, Dhubri, and Hojai, were responsible for nearly half of the total fatalities in the state.