More than 3,000 individuals in the state with appointments for their two-wheeler and light motor vehicle (LMV) license tests have been unable to take the tests due to a technical glitch in the RTOs. This issue stemmed from connectivity problems between the central Sarathi server, hosted at the National Informatics Centre (NIC), and the local software used in Gujarat.
On average, around 150 tests are scheduled daily in approximately 20 RTOs across the state. However, all driving tests have been suspended since March 16, causing inconvenience to numerous applicants.
In Ahmedabad, the RTO at Subhash Bridge conducts approximately 300 tests for both two-wheelers and LMVs daily, with an additional 250 slots allocated by the RTO in Vastral. In Surat, 2,000 tests have been rescheduled over the past eight days.
An official from the Ahmedabad RTO clarified that when an individual registers for a test on the Sarathi platform, the system inputs the information into the central database and subsequently shares it with associated states. However, following recent upgrades to the Sarathi Portal, data from the central server is not being transmitted to Gujarat. As a result, tests cannot proceed. Even if they are conducted based on registration slips, there is no method available to upload test results onto the system. Consequently, the tests had to be canceled.
Efforts have been made to address the issue, but there is uncertainty regarding when the problem will be resolved.