Chennai / New Delhi — In a significant boost to road safety and licensing transparency, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has commissioned seven new Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in partnership with the Transport Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. The initiative marks a first-of-its-kind automation of driving licence testing in the state for both Two-Wheelers (TW) and Light Motor Vehicles (LMV).
The newly operational ADTTs have been set up at Regional Transport Offices in Coimbatore (Central), Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Madurai (North), Sivagangai, Dindigul, and Tiruchirappalli (West). The inauguration was carried out virtually by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, signalling the state government’s strong push toward technology-led governance.
Automation Meets Accountability
Under a Memorandum of Agreement signed with the Tamil Nadu Transport Department, Maruti Suzuki committed to automating ten driving test tracks across the state. In a notable execution milestone, all ten ADTTs were completed within 150 days. The remaining facilities at Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Marthandam are expected to become operational shortly.
The ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras, advanced video analytics, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), face-recognition systems, and the company’s proprietary Harnessing AutoMobiles for Safety (HAMS) technology. Together, these tools ensure a standardized, objective, and technology-driven testing process — effectively reducing human intervention to zero.
In simpler words, the days of “Sir, please dekh lijiye na” at the test track may soon be history.
No Human Bias, Only Driving Skills
According to Mr. Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the automated tracks are designed to eliminate bias and ensure that only skilled drivers receive a licence.
“These ADTTs enable a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent assessment process. It eliminates any human bias and ensures that only skilled drivers are awarded a license,” he said.
Test results are generated automatically, aligned with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), ensuring uniform evaluation standards across candidates.
A Larger National Vision
With the addition of the Tamil Nadu facilities, Maruti Suzuki has now commissioned 56 ADTTs across eight states, with plans to scale up to 81 ADTTs nationwide in the future. The company’s road safety CSR initiatives are increasingly focused not just on awareness campaigns, but on systemic interventions that address the root of the problem — licensing standards.
The move comes against the backdrop of sobering statistics. As per data shared by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, India recorded 1.77 lakh road accident deaths in 2024. Strengthening driver evaluation and promoting disciplined driving practices are being viewed as critical levers to curb this alarming trend.
Raising the Bar for Licence Testing
The automated tracks in Coimbatore, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Madurai (North), Sivagangai, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli (West), Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Marthandam will cater to both Two-Wheeler and Light Motor Vehicle applicants.
By embedding technology into the licensing process, Tamil Nadu joins a growing list of states moving toward objective and tamper-proof testing systems. For applicants, it means clarity and consistency. For authorities, it means accountability. And for the rest of us on the road, it ideally means fewer unqualified drivers navigating traffic.
Because at the end of the day, road safety is not just about safer cars — it starts with safer drivers.
