Only Doctors registered with Tamil Nadu Medical Council can certify License Seekers
Chennai: The State Transport and Road Safety Commissioner has announced updated guidelines mandating that only doctors registered with the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) can issue medical certificates for individuals aged 40 and above for new driving licences or renewal of the existing ones.
The new regulations have been formed as a significant move to curb the submission of fraudulent medical certificates for driving licence applications and renewals.
As per the new guideline, the new medical certificates must be uploaded through the Sarathi portal, a centralized system for transport-related services. The Commissioner stated that applicants over the age of 40 can obtain a new driving license or renew an existing one only after securing a medical certificate from a TNMC-registered doctor, in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. This measure aims to ensure the authenticity of the medical evaluations required for driving licenses, reports DT Next.
The Commissioner highlighted that there have been numerous incidents of fake medical certificates being issued across various regions in the state. To tackle this problem, new measures have been put in place to verify the credentials of doctors issuing these certificates, especially regarding the renewal of licences.
New Verification Process for Doctors
Under the new system, doctors are required to upload their TNMC registration certificate number, along with details of their clinic or hospital on the Sarathi website. They must also provide their name and other relevant information. Once the verification is complete, doctors will be permitted to upload the medical certificates of applicants directly into the Sarathi system. This step is expected to prevent the misuse of medical certificates issued by unregistered or fake doctors, thereby enhancing the reliability of the certification process.
Training and Familiarization
To ensure that doctors are well-acquainted with the new system, Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) across Tamil Nadu will conduct demonstrations on Tuesday at 11 am. These sessions aim to educate and train medical professionals on how to use the Sarathi portal for uploading medical certificates and verify their records accurately.
The State Transport and Road Safety Commissioner believes that these new regulations will significantly reduce instances of fake medical certifications and ensure that only qualified individuals receive driving licenses, thereby enhancing road safety.
