ACB flags irregularities in surprise checks at Hyderabad RTA offices
HYDERABAD: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted surprise inspections at Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices in Medchal, Kondapur and Nagole in and around Hyderabad on May 27, 2026, and detected multiple irregularities linked to driving licence and registration certificate processing.
At the Medchal RTA driving test track, officials found a private individual carrying four applications without the presence of the original applicants. During questioning, the person told officials that he operated a driving school and had come to the RTA office on behalf of applicants to secure approval for driving licences. He also said he charged fees for providing driving instruction and facilitating learner’s licence procedures.
During verification of applications at Medchal RTA, officials found that names and codes of agents were marked on applications to ensure processing without queries.
ACB officials also found that driving licence cards and registration certificates, which are supposed to be delivered to citizens through postal services, were allegedly not being dispatched properly.
Around 150 printed registration certificates (RCs) and driving licences (DLs) were recovered from unauthorised agents and private persons during the checks.
At the Nagole RTA office, private driving school representatives and agents were found near the driving test track carrying lists of enrolled candidates and allegedly influencing officials to clear applicants in driving tests.
ACB officials alleged that RTA staff allowed agents to move freely inside the premises and pursue driving licence applications on behalf of applicants by collecting bribes through private persons.
During the inspection, seven driving school owners-cum-agents and eight instructors were found inside the office premises. Officials recovered ₹41,130 from their possession.
Driving licences handed directly to agents
The ACB also found that dispatch section staff allegedly handed over driving licences directly to agents instead of sending them to applicants through registered or speed post. Officials said 184 driving licences were found in the possession of an agent and driving school owner identified as Sudhakar Reddy.
Inspecting officers at the driving track allegedly allowed driving school instructors to accompany learners during tests, compromising the integrity of the examination process.
Verification of the day’s driving licence applications showed that all 185 applications were approved without any rejection. Officials also noticed that all applications carried vehicle numbers belonging to driving schools, which the ACB suspected could be used as a code system linked to bribe collection.
A total of 11 four-wheelers belonging to driving schools were found at the Nagole RTA driving track during the inspection.
Suspicious transactions under verification
The ACB said certain suspicious financial transactions were detected and were being verified further.
Officials said unauthorised middlemen and agents appeared to be collecting additional money from citizens in the name of facilitating services related to driving licences and registration certificates.
The bureau said a detailed report on the inspections would be submitted to the government for necessary action against the concerned RTA offices.
The ACB appealed to the public to report bribe demands by public servants through its toll-free number 1064. Complaints can also be made through WhatsApp at 9440446106 and through the agency’s official social media platforms. The bureau said complainants’ identities would be kept confidential.
