Ullal: Automated driving test track opened in Mudipu

Ullal: Automated driving test track opened in Mudipu

Mangalore Today News Network

Ullal, July 14, 2025: After over a year since its completion, Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy inaugurated the automated driving testing track on the KIADB land in Phajir, on the city outskirts, on Sunday.

Built at a cost of ₹7.39 crore, the track will be used for testing before issuing driving licences for two-wheelers, cars and heavy vehicles by Mangaluru and Bantwal Regional Transport offices.  

There are two tracks for test-driving of two-wheelers, while one track each was for light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles.

In the track for light motor vehicles, applicants will be checked for aptitude. They will also have to ride through ‘S’ track, gradient track, ‘8’ track and three-point turn track. Applicants will also be checked for kerb parking.  

In the track for heavy vehicles too, the applicants will be checked for aptitude. They will be riding through longer ‘S’ and ‘8’ tracks and through the three point turn track. They will also be riding across the gradient track. The applicants should also will have to do reverse parking. 

The Regional Transport officials said applicants will be provided time slots, online, for driving tests. Each applicant will be given a card and also the time to finish driving on the track. After pressing the card on the machine placed at the start point, the timing gets activated. Sensors were placed all along the track. Licence will not be issued if the vehicle touches the sensors or if the rider does not complete the test within the prescribed time, officials said.

Minister Mr. Reddy said the State government wants to have at least one automated driving test track for every district in the State. As many as 42 tracks will be ready by the end of this year. Karnataka will be the only state in the country to have so many automated driving test tracks, he said.