Auto Drivers Face Trouble as Three-Wheeler License Option Removed from New Licensing System
Auto drivers in Telangana face hardship as Sarathi portal removes three-wheeler auto licence option, forcing applicants to drive cars for licence tests.
Hyderabad: Auto drivers across Telangana are facing serious difficulties after the launch of the Sarathi portal, as the three-wheeler auto driving licence option has reportedly been removed from the new licensing system. As per the new process, auto drivers are being asked to drive a car to obtain a licence, creating confusion and hardship among thousands who depend on autos for their livelihood.
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Auto Licence Missing in Sarathi Services
Officials of the Road Transport Authority (RTA) say that under the Sarathi system, autos are not allowed during test drives, and applicants must instead drive a car. Auto drivers allege that the three-wheeler auto licence service no longer appears in the Sarathi portal.
Due to this, many auto drivers are returning from RTA offices without completing their licence process.
Car Test Made Mandatory for Auto Licence
According to drivers:
- Autos are not allowed inside RTA offices
- Applicants are instructed to learn and drive a car
- They are being issued an LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) licence instead
RTA officials claim that an LMV licence is valid for auto driving, but drivers say this has created technical and legal risks.
Fear Over Accidents and Insurance Claims
Auto drivers are worried that:
- In case of an accident, insurance companies may reject claims
- Auto showrooms are asking for a three-wheeler licence to sell new autos
- App-based platforms like Ola, Uber and Rapido also demand specific auto licences
Earlier, auto drivers underwent separate training for three-wheelers and were issued dedicated auto licences, which is no longer the case under Sarathi.
Slot Booking and Technical Issues
Drivers have also complained about:
- Difficulty in booking slots
- Multiple OTPs and captchas
- Entire process restarting if one step fails
Even after booking a slot, applicants are asked to re-enter OTPs at the RTA office, and in case of errors, they are told to return another day.
Drivers Demand Government Intervention
Auto driver Satti Reddy said it is unfair to deny an auto licence to someone who does not know car driving. Another driver Yadagiri said years of auto driving experience becomes meaningless if only LMV licences are issued.
Drivers are urging the government to:
- Restore three-wheeler auto licences in the Sarathi portal
- Simplify the online process
- Make licensing services driver-friendly and accessible
The issue has sparked growing concern among auto drivers, who say their livelihood is at stake unless the government resolves the problem soon.
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