Islamabad authorities have ordered a ban on waiving the mandatory learner period for driving licenses after reports of misuse involving selective influencers and a tout network. The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) will no longer grant Learner Period Condonation (LPC) to prevent illegal financial gains.
In September, the ITP warned motorists driving without licenses to regularize their documentation or face legal action. This led to a surge of applicants, creating opportunities for influencers to demand bribes to expedite license issuance.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had previously ruled that registering criminal cases or seizing vehicles for unlicensed driving violated citizens’ rights, but enforcement pressure still drove motorists to seek quick solutions.
Under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, obtaining a learner permit is a mandatory first step with a 42-day learning period. In practice, however, some senior traffic officers waived this period through LPC approvals, often using bulk stamps during evening hours.
Between September and November, the ITP issued 79,390 learner permits, over 80% of which had the learner period waived. Of the 48,327 candidates who passed the theory and road tests, only 31,551 driving licenses were issued, highlighting misuse.
A senior police officer confirmed that restrictions on LPC were imposed due to exploitation. Several touts were identified at the ITP headquarters, with at least one case registered. Surveillance has been increased to curb illegal activities and restore integrity to the licensing process.
“The ban on LPC ensures fairness and prevents misuse by outsiders attempting to bypass the mandatory learner period,” an ITP official said.