The government will soon make at least 60 hours of training mandatory to obtain a driving licence, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

He made the announcement on Wednesday while speaking at a programme marking National Road Safety Day at the Roads and Highways Bhaban auditorium in the capital’s Tejgaon area.

The new licensing system will focus mainly on training. The existing committees will be dissolved. To get a licence, one must first be trained. We have decided that from now on, a minimum of 60 hours of training will be required before obtaining a driving licence,” he said.

Fouzul Kabir Khan added that the training programme may begin as early as next month. “The government will designate approved institutions for training. Alongside private centres nominated by the government, the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will also provide the training and issue licences,” he said.

The adviser said the training will be conducted in two phases, focusing on understanding road signs and mastering vehicle control. It will also include mandatory physical fitness assessments and dope tests.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant at the Home Ministry Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury and Bridges Secretary Md Abdur Rouf were also present at the event.