CTO orders crackdown on illegal, unregistered driving schools

LAHORE, Jul 19 (APP): Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Sunday ordered an immediate crackdown on illegal and unregistered driving schools across the provincial capital, declaring that no private driving school would be allowed to operate without registration and approval from the relevant authority.

According to a City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) spokesperson, the CTO directed enforcement teams to launch action against institutions operating in violation of the law and said all driving schools must strictly comply with Rule 23 of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969, governing their registration and operation.

He said only those driving schools meeting the prescribed legal requirements would be eligible for registration. Each registered institute must have dual-control training vehicles, a proper building, classrooms and qualified, certified driving instructors to ensure quality training.

CTO Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said registered driving schools would also be bound to charge only the approved fee, warning that legal action would be taken against institutions found overcharging or collecting unauthorized fees.

He said the CTPL aimed to provide citizens with safe, high-quality driving education in line with international standards so that new drivers could take to the roads with proper knowledge of traffic laws, helping reduce road accidents.

The CTO urged citizens to obtain driving training only from registered and approved driving schools and asked them to report any illegal or unregistered institutes to the CTPL. He said the CTPL was committed to promoting a safe driving culture, ensuring effective enforcement of traffic laws and continuing indiscriminate action against illegal driving schools to protect the lives and property of citizens.