Automated driving test track at Pajir to be operational from August 18

Automated driving test track at Pajir to be operational from August 18

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 12, 2025: The recently inaugurated Automated Driving Test Track at Pajir near Mudipu, Mangaluru, is likely to become fully operational from August 18, according to Transport Department officials.

Aimed at streamlining the driving licence test process, the state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Transport Minister B. Ramalinga Reddy on July 13. While the officials initially had planned to commission the facility within a fortnight of the inauguration, heavy rains lashing the region made them think twice.

The tracks had become slippery, and the department was concerned about the safety of applicants giving tests, an official said. “We postponed the commissioning as there was a genuine risk of candidates slipping during the trial. The track has since been thoroughly cleaned and is now deemed safe for use,“ the official said.

Equipped with sensors and monitoring systems, the automated track is expected to reduce human error, bring in transparency and ensure a more objective evaluation of driving skills. It marks a major upgrade from the current manual testing system and aligns with the State’s broader plans to digitise and modernise transport services.

The existing driving test facility at Vamanjoor will conduct its final round of tests on August 16, after which all testing operations will shift to Pajir. Candidates who have already booked slots post-August 18 will now be required to appear at the new location, said Senior RTO and Deputy Commissioner of Transport Shridhar K. Mallad.