Sat Mar 29 10:10:21 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Cracks Down on Lax Driving Tests, Fail Rate Soars to 50%

**Thiruvananthapuram, March 29, 2025** – A crackdown on lax driving test practices in Kerala has resulted in a dramatic increase in failure rates, according to the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD). The stricter regulations, implemented to improve road safety, have seen the pass rate plummet to just 52%, with nearly half of all applicants failing.

Previously, the system was plagued by corruption, with inspectors reportedly issuing up to 60 licenses a day in a rushed process. The MVD has since capped the number of tests per inspector at 40, introduced dashboard cameras and vehicle tracking devices, and added more rigorous maneuvers like angular, parallel, and zig-zag parking, as well as gradient tests on dedicated tracks.

Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar stated that the reforms are necessary to curb the state’s high rate of fatal road accidents. He cited a previous instance where 122 out of 124 candidates passed under a single inspector in a single day, highlighting the lax standards that previously existed.

While the reforms initially faced resistance from driving schools, the MVD is moving forward with upgrading testing facilities to accommodate the new, more stringent requirements. Officials emphasize a shift towards “quality over quantity” in the testing process. The upgrades will include separate tracks for the newly added maneuvers. Several driving school venues have already been updated, with more planned for the near future.

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