In Chennai, the state transport department is taking decisive action against the rampant issue of fraudulent medical certificates used for issuing and renewing driving licences. Brokers and some driving schools have been found to employ unqualified individuals, or quacks, to issue these essential medical documents for individuals aged 40 and above. These certificates, which verify the applicant’s fitness to drive, were being uploaded to the government’s VAHAN portal for a mere Rs 100.
Tamil Nadu sees approximately ten lakh driving licence renewals annually, creating a lucrative racket for those involved in this malpractice. A transportation activist highlighted that applicants who arrive at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) without valid medical certificates are often directed to nearby brokers. These brokers provide ready-made certificates for Rs 100 each, signed by unqualified doctors, and upload them to the VAHAN portal without any authenticity verification.
To combat this fraudulent activity, the state transport department has introduced a mandatory one-time registration for doctors enrolled with the Tamil Nadu Medical Council. A transport official explained that registered medical practitioners can now register on the VAHAN portal using their council registration details along with information about their clinic or hospital. Verification of their identity is done through an OTP sent to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Once verified, these doctors will be authorised to upload medical certificates electronically for licence applicants. “This new system ensures that only properly registered doctors can issue medical certificates, thereby preventing the misuse of fake certificates,” the official stated.
The state transport department is also organising a practical demonstration on how to upload details and confirm registrations on the VAHAN portal. This session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, at 11 am at all RTOs across the state. Interested doctors are encouraged to participate to understand the procedures, as per an official release.
Doctors issuing medical certificates will conduct thorough evaluations of the applicant’s vision, ensuring they can read a motor car number plate from 25 metres in good daylight. They will also assess the applicant’s hearing ability, physical fitness, and check for any defects, deformities, or loss of limbs that could interfere with safe driving. Additionally, the applicant’s blood group and RH factor can optionally be recorded on the driving licence.
These measures aim to enhance the integrity of the driving licence issuance process, ensuring that only individuals who are medically fit to drive receive certification. The crackdown on fraudulent certificates is a significant step towards improving road safety and reducing corruption within the system. By enforcing stricter regulations and ensuring only qualified doctors can issue medical certificates, the transport department is working to restore public trust and ensure the safety of all road users.
