Mandatory 60-Hour Training for Driving Licences

The government has announced a new initiative requiring all drivers to undergo 60 hours of mandatory training before obtaining a driving licence, aiming to reduce road accidents, restore discipline on the roads, and curb both noise and air pollution.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the BRTC Training Institute in Tejgaon, Dhaka, during the inauguration of a programme under the “Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control (3rd Revised Edition)”. The initiative targets professional transport drivers and workers, focusing on skill development and awareness about noise pollution.

Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Ministry of Railways, highlighted the urgency of the programme, stating, “Death from road accidents is the greatest personal tragedy. Every year, road fatalities continue to rise, yet our efforts to reduce them have not achieved the desired impact. Bureaucratic complexity is a major obstacle, placing a heavy burden on the public and undermining the sense of human responsibility.”

Describing the current driving licence issuance process as one of the most cumbersome worldwide, he said the new regulations will verify drivers’ competence through practical training, physical fitness, vision, and other health checks to ensure only qualified individuals receive licences.

“The primary goal of this initiative is to save lives, reduce road fatalities, restore road discipline, and control noise and air pollution to make Dhaka a more livable city,” he added, urging public officials to act as servants of the people and take responsible roles for the greater good.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, described the initiative as “highly significant, marking the first evidence-based, participatory effort to address long-standing transport sector challenges over the last 54 years.” She noted that drivers are often the primary victims of noise pollution caused by indiscriminate horn use and that police will be empowered to enforce regulations and impose fines.

Regarding air pollution, Hasan emphasised that Bangladesh currently ranks among the highest globally. Black smoke from BRTC buses, in particular, is unacceptable, and rapid action is required by BRTA and BRTC to address non-compliant vehicles.

Sheikh Moinuddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, stated that despite the transport sector’s vital role in national development, it has long suffered from disorder. “Mandatory training is a key step to bring the sector under control. Drivers will learn when to use horns, safe lane-changing techniques, traffic signal compliance, and road safety regulations,” he said, noting that the programme is expected to continue in the future.

Driving Licence Training Overview

The programme reflects a comprehensive approach combining skill development, road safety, and environmental awareness, signalling a significant step forward in modernising Bangladesh’s transport sector.