Launch of New Smart Card Printing for Driving License and RC Starting August 21st
Pune, August 16, 2023: Revised Smart Card for Vehicle License and Registration Certificate (RC) will be launched on August 21 at three designated centers using advanced technology production.
Collectively, these centers aim to print 75,000 smart cards per day. Pune residents will receive their smart cards through the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar RTO office, with a potentially week-long waiting period for drivers.
From August 21, the increased printing capacity is expected to clear the existing backlog faster, said Jitendra Patil, Additional Transport Commissioner, Mumbai.
Amidst a statewide challenge affecting all RTO offices including Pune, a temporary suspension of the smart card system for 15 days was implemented at the Pune RTO office. Due to this ban, more than 50 thousand drivers have been left without RC and vehicle license.
The contract for smart cards has been given to Manipal Technology Company of Karnataka. The production of smart cards will begin simultaneously on August 21 at the RTO offices in Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur, leading to a daily production of around 75,000 cards across these three centres.
Earlier, smart cards were printed at local RTO offices, which caused delay in distribution. To address this, the Transport Department partnered with a new entity, thereby decentralizing printing rights from local RTO offices. As a result, smart card distribution will now operate from three consolidated centres, potentially leading to delivery delays.
Key features of the new Smart Card:
1. Introduction of laser engraving for better quality
2. High quality printing of vehicle owner details on smart card
3. Chip-free smart cards for simplicity
4. Enhanced card durability using advanced technologies
5. Better resistance against heat damage
6. New Vehicle License Fee Rs. 64. Reduction in cost of Rs. 30 as compared to the existing Rs. 94 with charges of Rs. 56 for RC.
