The Odisha government has launched an online portal for the renewal of driving licence (DL). The online service has been introduced to reduce the crowd at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State Transport Authority has enabled the following services on the Sarathi web portal:
- Renewal of Driving License.
- Change of Address in Driving License.
- Issue of Duplicate Driving License.
- Change of name in Driving License.
- Change of biometric in Driving License.
- Replacement of Driving License.
- Fixing the issue of extraction of Driving License.
- Surrender of COV (Class of Vehicle).
- Issue & Surrender of NOC.
Thus, the online computer-aided test for learner’s licence and DL skill test still stands temporarily suspended. Applicants need to schedule an appointment to visit the particular RTO office. A notice published by the State Road Transport department stated that “Odisha has suspended DL and LL tests with effect from March 18th, 2020, following the COVID-19 outbreak”.
Notably, the government had previously extended the validity of numerous motor vehicle documents including the fitness certificate, registration certificate of non-transport vehicles, driving license, learners licence lapsed or lapsing between February 1st, 2020, and June 30th, 2020. The validity of all these documents was automatically extended until September 30.
On August 1, the Odisha government decided to normalise economic activities in the state. However, a night curfew and weekend shutdown prevails in several zones. As of August 5, Odisha has reported 39,018 COVID-19 cases, of which 13,011 are active. Meanwhile, 25,738 have recovered from the disease.