Nearly one year after enforcement of the new requirements for driving schools, the Traffic Department has launched a crackdown on the erring facilities and warned them of permanent closure if they continue to violate the rules.

Surprise inspections conducted by the Department at such facilities have brought to the fore several blatant violations of the rules.

A senior official of the Department has hinted that stern action is imminent against such facilities.

“There are driving schools that have not implemented the required standards and facilities even after one year of warning given by the Traffic Department. Now it is time for us to report such cases to the higher authorities for action. If they continue with the wrong practices, they may face closure in the days to come,” Brig Mohammed Marafi, head of Planning and Traffic safety at the Department told an Arabic daily.

Not only driving schools, but also car rental companies, garages and shops selling car accessories have also come under scrutiny by the Department.

The Department of late announced temporary closure of about 70 facilities mainly garages, car rental companies and car accessory shops.

Some driving schools were found to be employing driving trainers who don’t have the necessary approval from the traffic department. Some schools were using old cars (more than the permissible limit) for training.

The Department had earlier issued warnings to some driving schools for not having sufficient space and proper setup for providing training for heavy vehicles. They had been issued warnings and notices to comply with the rules in one year time, which has now expired, said the official.

Some driving schools have also been found not following the necessary training modules set by the Department. Under the new guidelines, the driving schools are required to provide 15 hours of oral (theory) classes including practice on simulators and 35 hours of practical training classes. But most schools fail to strictly with this rule, it is learnt.

Some schools are putting more than 250 students for test in one day, which is considered a big number.

There are garages in Industrial Area that were operating even without licence, said the daily. Some car accessory shops were found to be selling tinted glasses that do not meet the standards and specifications set by the Department.

The temporary closure is two types- Facilities that have been found to be violating the rules for the first time could face closure for one month. Those who repeat the violation for a second time will be closed for at least three months. Further violations could invite a permanent closure.