Driving License for a person born deaf

beejay · 14th October 2009, 18:16

Just thought I should share this with you guys.

The other day on CNN I saw a citizen journalist bring up an issue of him not being able to get a valid driving license in India.
The RTO rejected his application and had marked the same as unfit to drive.

The person is adamant to get a DL and I am sure from the way things were projected in the show, he will get one soon. I am not against the person as I think he should definitely enjoy his rights.

However how safe are the other road users?

McLaren Rulez · 14th October 2009, 18:42

Hmm can anyone shed light on what the law says regarding how to classify someone as fit/unfit to drive? Only after that can we conclude whether or not he can get a DL.

Gilead · 14th October 2009, 18:54

When the ICE is turned on at a reasonable volume, most of us are as good as deaf to the outside world. I don't see why this person should be denied a DL on safety grounds. If deafness is a safety issue, ICE is a safety issue as well.

Mpower · 14th October 2009, 20:37

Just ask him to try another RTO.

They are supposed to check your vision not hearing. Only thing he needs to constantly check the RVMs as he cannot hear the honks.

subscrive · 14th October 2009, 22:05

Boss! Driving is a previlige, not a right.

aparth · 14th October 2009, 22:32

If he is given a driver's licence, then won't it put all the other vehicles at a huge risk as he won't be able to hear any horns.

maddy42 · 15th October 2009, 01:35

Well trust me guys, the horn thing is stupid. If you check your RVM regularly should be good enough. A person in our place has this problem but is one of the coolest and calmest driver i have seen. Never would you be stuck behind him and never does he over speed.

@subscrive: Buddy already there are so many things in our country which is a privilege so please dont add license to that list.

khoj · 15th October 2009, 01:51

Atleast the guy is trying to get a license. What if he simply gets behind the wheels and starts driving around.

Takumi-san · 15th October 2009, 05:39

Good grief, does this mean that the RTO thinks that the horn is an absolute necessity to drive? I dont recall any such prejudices against color blind people - which IMHO are more of a 'threat' in driving conditions. Completely babu-type decision. This gent deserves his license if he can show he knows how to drive.

simplythebest · 15th October 2009, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takumi-san

Good grief, does this mean that the RTO thinks that the horn is an absolute necessity to drive? I dont recall any such prejudices against color blind people - which IMHO are more of a 'threat' in driving conditions. Completely babu-type decision. This gent deserves his license if he can show he knows how to drive.

I'm sure other factors like the ability to hear ambulances, and other emergency vehicles can also be factors rather than horns alone.

CoolFire · 15th October 2009, 09:32

Surely in our country, disabled persons are better drivers. Never would they put other people at risk like our really bad 'healthy' drivers can.

beejay · 15th October 2009, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

Hmm can anyone shed light on what the law says regarding how to classify someone as fit/unfit to drive? Only after that can we conclude whether or not he can get a DL.

I think license are not granted to people born deaf. Differently abled people get a license provided they make the necessary mods to their vehicles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilead

When the ICE is turned on at a reasonable volume, most of us are as good as deaf to the outside world. I don't see why this person should be denied a DL on safety grounds. If deafness is a safety issue, ICE is a safety issue as well.

This was the exact point the citizen journalist was making.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

Just ask him to try another RTO.

They are supposed to check your vision not hearing. Only thing he needs to constantly check the RVMs as he cannot hear the honks.

Isn't it mandatory that all our senses need to be intact to drive?

Quote:

Originally Posted by subscrive

Boss! Driving is a previlige, not a right.

Maddy42 has reciprocated to your thoughts. I am of the same opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aparth

If he is given a driver's licence, then won't it put all the other vehicles at a huge risk as he won't be able to hear any horns.

Of course he will. At least I think so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddy42

Well trust me guys, the horn thing is stupid. If you check your RVM regularly should be good enough. A person in our place has this problem but is one of the coolest and calmest driver i have seen. Never would you be stuck behind him and never does he over speed.

Thats very nice to know. So he has a valid DL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khoj

Atleast the guy is trying to get a license. What if he simply gets behind the wheels and starts driving around.

Scary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takumi-san

Good grief, does this mean that the RTO thinks that the horn is an absolute necessity to drive? I dont recall any such prejudices against color blind people - which IMHO are more of a 'threat' in driving conditions. Completely babu-type decision. This gent deserves his license if he can show he knows how to drive.

They say in India, you need to have good brakes and good luck. Horn is an added privilege.

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplythebest

I'm sure other factors like the ability to hear ambulances, and other emergency vehicles can also be factors rather than horns alone.

Well thought. However as others mention here, he would be able to see the lights.

vikrantj · 15th October 2009, 09:50

Being deaf does not mean he should be deprived of a DL. I am completely against this prejudice. Like the way a diffrently challenged person has to make necessary adjustments to his vehicle in the same way , simple signage on a deaf persons vehicle like "Person driving this car is hearing impaired" can warn other cars his disability and they can be wary of him.

For example I have seen phone booths clearly stating that "This booth is run by a Visually handicap person. Please co-operate" . Same can be taken in this context too !

--Vikrant

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 15th October 2009, 09:52

There is a colleague of wife (PSU bank). He got job on basis of his handicap - DEAF. (and he cannot speak too).

Had a two wheeler license, owns and drives one.

McLaren Rulez · 15th October 2009, 10:36

I think the point about the ambulance sirens is the really valid one. Normally, one hears the siren long before seeing the ambulance in the RVM. It is unfortunate for him but the RTO does have a very good point here.

14th October 2009, 18:16	#1
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	Driving License for a person born deaf Just thought I should share this with you guys. The other day on CNN I saw a citizen journalist bring up an issue of him not being able to get a valid driving license in India. The RTO rejected his application and had marked the same as unfit to drive. The person is adamant to get a DL and I am sure from the way things were projected in the show, he will get one soon. I am not against the person as I think he should definitely enjoy his rights. However how safe are the other road users?
	(1) Thanks

14th October 2009, 18:42	#2
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,389 Thanked: 5,101 Times	Hmm can anyone shed light on what the law says regarding how to classify someone as fit/unfit to drive? Only after that can we conclude whether or not he can get a DL.
	() Thanks

14th October 2009, 18:54	#3
Gilead Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,142 Thanked: 60 Times	When the ICE is turned on at a reasonable volume, most of us are as good as deaf to the outside world. I don't see why this person should be denied a DL on safety grounds. If deafness is a safety issue, ICE is a safety issue as well.
	() Thanks

14th October 2009, 20:37	#4
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Just ask him to try another RTO. They are supposed to check your vision not hearing. Only thing he needs to constantly check the RVMs as he cannot hear the honks.
	() Thanks

14th October 2009, 22:05	#5
subscrive BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 258 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Boss! Driving is a previlige, not a right.
	() Thanks

14th October 2009, 22:32	#6
aparth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,341 Thanked: 1,708 Times View My Garage	If he is given a driver's licence, then won't it put all the other vehicles at a huge risk as he won't be able to hear any horns.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 01:35	#7
maddy42 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coorg Posts: 2,131 Thanked: 1,328 Times View My Garage	Well trust me guys, the horn thing is stupid. If you check your RVM regularly should be good enough. A person in our place has this problem but is one of the coolest and calmest driver i have seen. Never would you be stuck behind him and never does he over speed. @subscrive: Buddy already there are so many things in our country which is a privilege so please dont add license to that list.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 01:51	#8
khoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dilli Posts: 2,718 Thanked: 1,287 Times View My Garage	Atleast the guy is trying to get a license. What if he simply gets behind the wheels and starts driving around.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 05:39	#9
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	Good grief, does this mean that the RTO thinks that the horn is an absolute necessity to drive? I dont recall any such prejudices against color blind people - which IMHO are more of a 'threat' in driving conditions. Completely babu-type decision. This gent deserves his license if he can show he knows how to drive.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 09:32	#11
CoolFire BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tsr, Kerala Posts: 386 Thanked: 575 Times	Surely in our country, disabled persons are better drivers. Never would they put other people at risk like our really bad 'healthy' drivers can.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 09:50	#13
vikrantj BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 628 Thanked: 568 Times	Being deaf does not mean he should be deprived of a DL. I am completely against this prejudice. Like the way a diffrently challenged person has to make necessary adjustments to his vehicle in the same way , simple signage on a deaf persons vehicle like "Person driving this car is hearing impaired" can warn other cars his disability and they can be wary of him. For example I have seen phone booths clearly stating that "This booth is run by a Visually handicap person. Please co-operate" . Same can be taken in this context too ! --Vikrant
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 09:52	#14
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	There is a colleague of wife (PSU bank). He got job on basis of his handicap - DEAF. (and he cannot speak too). Had a two wheeler license, owns and drives one.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 10:36	#15
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,389 Thanked: 5,101 Times	I think the point about the ambulance sirens is the really valid one. Normally, one hears the siren long before seeing the ambulance in the RVM. It is unfortunate for him but the RTO does have a very good point here.
	() Thanks