How I got my driving license renewed in 4 days!!!

Hey girls, driving is one of the basic skill every single person (irrespective of gender) should learn and practice. I have been a licensed driver since 2010 (last 10 years) now and have driven to multiple cities like Sialkot, Tarbela, Lahore, Mirpur, Kharian, Abbottabad, Mangla, Peshawar, Risalpur and many other places. The driving license in Rawalpindi is issued for 5 years and we have to get it renewed every 5 years. Till now, I have renewed it twice and there was a HUGE difference in the process 5 years back and this year.

Read on to find out what is the process to renew your Rawalpindi based driving license in 2020.

The steps to renew your expired driving license are below:

1. Visit the Rawalpindi CTP office located near Race Course Park Rawalpindi
2. Take a token from the machine and tell them that you need to renew your license
3. After the token, wait for your turn on the counter and once the counter calls your token number you need to visit the counter for capturing the picture & verification of your information.
4. You are requested to get your medical checkup done which is done on another counter, you will again get a different token number and wait for your turn. The fee of medical checkup is 100/- PKR
5. During the medical checkup your eyesight will be tested for both the eyes and if you are medically fit, your form/application will be stamped by the doctor.
6. After the medical checkup you have to go back to the first counter, get your information updated/verified; pay the fee (It was 950/- PKR for me as my license expired less than a month back)
7. You are given a receipt and your work is done!
8. You will receive your driving license on the address provided by you as soon as it is ready - the standard delivery time is 2 weeks, but I LITERALLY got my license after 4 working days of the application!!!

So I was really confused if the offices are open due to COVID-19 or not and didnt know where to ask about their timings and all. I texted the twitter id of the CTPRWP with quite low hopes of getting some information to be honest. I tried calling their numbers provided on the website but no one picked those numbers :) However I received their response the same day that the offices are open Monday to Saturday 8am to 4pm. That was impressive! 

5 years back when I visited the same office for my license renewal, the building was shabby, there were loads of paper based files in every room and the office walls told stories from before the 1940s :P The process was tedious, it took a long time, there was some ticket that was to be taken from GPO Rawalpindi and I remember we kept on moving around from one room to the other for the multiple steps (capturing the picture, medical, verification of information etc.) . There was a HUGE difference this time, the building was totally transformed, it was a state of the art, updated and sophisticated structure, air conditioned interior and executive indoors. There were multiple counters and a medical checkup room within the same premises. The counters were equipped by latest computers, cameras and screens for easy verification of the data. Due to the automated token system and quick system responses, people were being catered much efficiently and professionally. Traffic police staff was available inside the premises and was courteous and considerate towards the general public. They were asking if the public is facing any hassle in getting their work done. Overall it was a whole new experience. I am really impressed with the way the improvement has been introduced and I am really hopeful that the process will be even more efficient and robust by the time I will renew my license again :) [Hint: expected in 2025]

I would give a shoutout to the CTP RWP for introducing these very positive changes in the whole Driving License Renewal process. They deserve appreciation and applause for ensuring ease and comfort to a process which used to be tedious & time consuming earlier. Thanks!