Archive · 20 Aug 2026
CAG Flags Driving Licence Lapses and Road Safety Risks
India’s government auditor checked how driving licences were issued in West Bengal.
It found that some test centres did not have important features such as traffic lights, marked tracks, or enough lanes.
This could make it harder to properly test whether people could drive safely.
The audit also found 1,271 licences for larger motorcycles issued to people recorded as 16 years old.
The law allows 16-year-olds to ride motorcycles up to 50cc, but larger motorcycles generally require the driver to be 18.
E-rickshaw drivers are supposed to complete 10 days of training.
However, training details were recorded for only one of 8,517 e-rickshaw or e-cart licences examined.
The auditor said these problems could threaten road safety and break licensing rules.
The CAG found inadequate driving-test infrastructure at six West Bengal centres.
Forty-six Licensing Authorities issued 1,271 licences for motorcycles above 50cc to applicants mapped as age 16.
The Motor Vehicles Act permits motorcycles up to 50cc from age 16, but generally requires drivers to be at least 18.
Of 8,517 e-rickshaw and e-cart licences reviewed, training-certificate details were available for only one applicant.
The Transport Department’s promised response and supporting documents remained awaited by the CAG until July 2025.
- Who
- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reviewed the West Bengal Transport Department and its 53 Licensing Authorities.
- What
- The audit flagged inadequate testing infrastructure, age-mapping errors for motorcycle licences, and missing e-rickshaw training records.
- When
- The audit covered 2019 through 31 March 2024; the department’s reply was still awaited in July 2025.
- Where
- At driving-test centres and Licensing Authorities in West Bengal, including Kasba, Murshidabad, Purulia, Alipore Dwar, Barrackpore and Kalna.
- Why
- The CAG said the lapses could allow less-competent drivers to receive licences, compromise road safety and violate the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Audit period
- 2019 to 31 March 2024
- Licensing Authorities reviewed
- 53
- Centres with inadequate infrastructure
- PVD Kasba, RTO Murshidabad, Purulia, Alipore Dwar, ARTO Barrackpore and Kalna
- Motorcycle licence anomalies
- 1,271 licences issued by 46 authorities for motorcycles above 50cc to applicants mapped at age 16
- E-rickshaw licences examined
- 8,517
- Training records available
- One record; details were unavailable for the remaining 8,516 cases
- Department response
- A promised reply and documents remained awaited by the CAG until July 2025