Driving licence services have been temporarily suspended across Punjab as authorities upgrade the Driving Licence Issuance Management System (DLIMS).
Lahore Traffic Police announced the temporary suspension on September 30 (Today), demanding citizens to cooperate while work on the system continues.
The suspension affects driving license services that depend on DLIMS. Authorities have not announced a specific time for the system to return.
Traffic police said the affected services will be restored as soon as the upgrade is complete. People have been advised to wait before visiting licensing centres for services affected by the system.
What does DLIMS provide?
DLIMS is Punjab’s central digital system for driving licences.
Punjab has gradually moved many driving licence services online.
The official DLIMS platform supports applications, verification, payments and licence tracking. It also allows applicants to check the progress of their requests online.
The system is now linked with the Punjab government’s Dastak platform. DLIMS services available through Dastak include learner licences, learner licence renewals, regular licence renewals and duplicate licences. International licence services are also available through the platform.
The temporary suspension means people may face delays until the technical upgrade is finished.
Citizens are advised to check official updates before visiting a licensing centre.
New facility for driving licence holders
The suspension comes as Punjab is also making changes to make driving licence services easier for citizens.
Reportedly, the Inspector General of Police Punjab has approved a new facility related to driving license endorsements.
Drivers can obtain an additional licence category from any district in Punjab after completing the required test, under the facility.
An endorsement allows an existing licence holder to add another vehicle category to the licence. Punjab Police lists endorsement as one of its official driving license services.
Punjab’s centralised licensing system already allows several services to be completed outside a driver’s home district. License holders can renew their driving licences from any district in Punjab.
However, driving license applicants in Punjab will need to wait until DLIMS services are restored.