By The government of Sindh has introduced mandatory pre-license driving training for all individuals applying for driving licenses in the province. The landmark decision was approved during the 50th meeting of the Public-Private Partnership Policy Board, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
The move is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving road safety, raising professional driving standards, and boosting international employment opportunities for skilled drivers.
Mandatory Training for HTV and LTV Licenses
Under the new regulation, applicants for Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) and Light Transport Vehicle (LTV) licenses must complete certified pre-licensing training from recognized institutions before their applications can be processed by licensing authorities. This step is expected to ensure that only properly trained and competent drivers receive licenses.
The provincial government has approved the establishment of HTV and LTV driver training schools under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework. Initially, four centers will be set up at STEVTA institutions, including:
- Government College of Technology (SITE), Karachi
- Government Polytechnic College, Dadu
- Government Vocational Training Institute, Sukkur
- Government Institute of Business and Commercial Education, Naushero Feroze
Each facility will offer comprehensive services, including multimedia classrooms, computer-based theory labs, driving simulators for HTV and LTV, practice yards, on-road training, workshops, safety infrastructure, and on-site licensing desks. Larger-scale facilities are also planned in Karachi to meet higher demand.
100,000 Drivers to Be Trained in Five Years
The project aims to train and license 100,000 drivers over the next five years — including 62,500 LTV and 37,500 HTV drivers. Nearly half of these trainees are expected to come from Karachi. Transaction advisory firms will be engaged to ensure regulatory compliance, working in coordination with the Home Department, Traffic Police, and licensing authorities.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the initiative will provide internationally standardized driver training to enhance overseas employment prospects. Demand for professional drivers is increasing in Europe, Australia, China, Turkey, and GCC countries.
Pakistan’s transport sector contributes approximately 10–13 percent to the national GDP and employs over 4.1 million people. However, Sindh’s share in driver exports currently stands at just two percent, highlighting significant untapped potential.
The new training framework reflects Sindh’s commitment to improving road safety, professional competence, and the global competitiveness of its workforce.
