Punjab builds offline backup for driving licence test portal to end delays

Chandigarh: The Punjab government is developing a software backup for the Centre's Sarathi Parivahan Portal, following repeated complaints from districts that driving tests had to be cancelled when the central server slowed down or became unavailable.

The new software will function as a local alternative, receiving data directly from sensors installed at automated driving test tracks. It will record a candidate's progress even without a live connection to the Sarathi server, ensuring that tests can continue uninterrupted during technical glitches.

Punjab Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema told The Indian Express last week that the initiative aims to prevent citizens from suffering due to technical issues beyond the state's control. “People have faced a great deal of inconvenience whenever the Sarathi server goes down. This initiative is aimed at resolving that problem. We are confident it will succeed and benefit not only Punjab but could eventually help other states as well,” Cheema said.

The Sarathi portal, managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is a centralised system for issuing driving licences across India. However, districts in Punjab have reported frequent server outages or slowdowns during driving tests, leading to cancellations and long waits for applicants.

By creating a standalone backup system, Punjab intends to ensure that driving tests proceed without disruption, even if the central server faces downtime. The software will store data locally and sync with the Sarathi server once connectivity is restored. This approach minimises dependency on real-time internet connectivity for test completion.

The move is part of a broader push by the state to digitise transport services and improve citizen experience. Punjab has already implemented automated driving test tracks in several districts, which use sensors to evaluate driving skills. The backup software will integrate seamlessly with these tracks.

Officials say the system is being tested and will be rolled out across all districts in the coming months. If successful, the model could be adopted by other states facing similar challenges with the central portal.

The development underscores the importance of state-level innovation in addressing gaps in centralised digital infrastructure. While the Sarathi portal has streamlined licence issuance, its occasional failures highlight the need for redundancies to maintain service continuity.