The Union ministry of road transport and highways
had sent a letter to all the state governments in 2016.
The letter mentioned the point from AIIMS which said,
“Driving is primarily a visual function with little inputs from hearing.”
The Centre insists authorities must consider giving driving licence to those with Hearing Aids.
As per RTOs in Tamil Nadu, if Deaf individuals want a driving license,
they must be able to hear at least 60 decibels. Then they are qualified for a licence.
However, some people who wear hearing aids have been denied a license.
They are even denied a learner’s licence.
A few months ago, Naveen Raj Louis of Ayyapanthangal
had purchased a two-wheeler to travel to work.
He approached the RTO to apply for a license.
However, Louis was reprimanded by an official
for wanting to drive despite not being able to hear.
Louis said, "I brought the two-wheeler to go to work. Without a license it is useless."
Another friend of Louis was turned away as well.
He said, "One has to be watchful. That is why there are rear view mirrors. Let us take a test at least.”
In another incident, Santhana Mohan, had a difficult time to renew his licence.
It took him more than a year to get a new licence. The official kept denying to give the license.
Mohan who was hard of hearing kept requesting but officials denied his request.
Despite him saying that he has been driving for 20 years and they can look at his record.
He was never in an accident.
After a lot of trouble authorities finally gave him the license.
Vidya Menon, a trainer at V-Shesh, an organisation,
had a licence when she was in Australia
but when she came here she was denied it despite her hearing ability of more than 60 decibels.
She said, "I follow all road rule.
I am constantly looking at rear view mirrors, traffic signals and am very vigilant.
Many hearing individuals talk on the phone while driving and are very reckless.
They even listen to loud music while driving. Deaf people don't break rules and follow them strictly.
Deaf individuals are not like hearing people who violate rules.
The World Federation for the Deaf says studies have revealed that
Deaf drivers have been involved in fewer car accidents than the average driver.
Hearing is not a necessary sense for driving a car. It is a more visual activity.
Driving ensures Deaf individuals have access to social opportunities
and essential services for their family members.
Deny them a driving license, denies them from having such experiences.
Without a license, then won't be able to take family members to hospital.
Instead they have to wait for a rickshaw where communication is a huge barrier. License makes life easier
and they can travel to places for work or other opportunities.
An official from the RTO Chennai said,
“We do not deny license. If an applicant is found fit to drive on our roads,
we give them the license. We check if the person is fit and other factors before giving the license."