Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
Jalandhar, October 1, 2026: Applicants visiting the Automated Driving Test Centre near Jalandhar Bus Stand faced lengthy delays after a technical problem in the online server disrupted several licence-related services for nearly three hours.
The technical issue developed around midday, affecting work that depends on the centre’s online system. Driving licence renewals, international driving licence applications and several other related services could not be processed normally while the server remained unavailable.
Applicants who had already booked appointments were among those affected. Many had reached the centre at their scheduled time but were forced to wait because officials could not move their applications forward through the online system.
The disruption resulted in additional crowding at the centre as applicants waited for services to resume.
Senior citizens, women and people who had taken time away from work or other commitments were among those who faced inconvenience because of the unexpected delay.
The system returned to normal during the afternoon, after which employees began processing the applications that had accumulated during the disruption.
While several online licence services were affected, the driving test process on the automated track continued. Applicants whose driving tests were scheduled were able to complete the testing process, limiting the impact of the technical failure on track operations.
The incident once again highlighted the heavy dependence of transport-related public services on online infrastructure. Even a temporary server problem can delay a large number of applicants when document verification, application processing and licence-related procedures depend on a central digital system.
Applicants at the centre called for stronger technical backup arrangements so essential services can continue even when the primary server develops a fault.
They also suggested that applicants should receive timely information when major technical problems affect services, particularly when appointments have already been booked online.
With driving licence services becoming increasingly digital, reliable server connectivity has become essential for the smooth functioning of automated centres.
Normal operations resumed after the technical problem was resolved, and staff began clearing the pending licence-related work generated during the disruption.
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