Bhubaneswar: Driving licence is a mandatory requirement for operating a vehicle. A recent statewide enforcement drive has revealed a worrying trend in Odisha. Nearly one in three traffic violators were found driving without a valid licence, according to the state transport authority.Between March 21 and April 10, the transport department detected 96,268 traffic violations, of which 26,763 cases—about 28%—involved motorists operating vehicles without a driving licence, making it the single most common violation.The state transport authority (STA) has underscored the seriousness of the issue in a post on its official X handle on Monday, stating: “Driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence is a punishable offense under the Motor Vehicles Act. Unqualified vehicle drivers are often observed causing accidents. Enforcement is being carried out by the transport department statewide against such rule violators.”State transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur emphasised that the department is adopting a two-pronged strategy. “Following instruction by the transport minister, we have instructed regional transport officers to intensify crackdown against those driving without DL. At the same time, awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate people about the risks and legal consequences,” he said.Additional transport commissioner (road safety) Dipti Ranjan Patra highlighted another dimension of the problem–misuse of licences. “There have been instances of motorists obtaining improper DL—driving light motor vehicles though having a licence of motor cycle, and driving heavy vehicles though having licence to drive light motor vehicles. Such practices endanger road safety,” Patra noted.Road safety activists have welcomed the enforcement drive but urged for stronger deterrents. “Fines alone are not enough. Repeat offenders should face stricter penalties, including suspension of vehicle registration. Driving without a licence is not just a violation, it’s a threat to public safety,” said road safety campaigner Subrat Nanda.Meanwhile, some motorists expressed frustration at the crackdown. “Many young people drive two-wheelers before they formally get a licence. Instead of only penalizing, the government should make the process of obtaining a licence faster and more accessible,” said college student Ritesh Das.Transport department said that licence applicants are now being tested rigorously at 19 automated driving testing tracks across 15 districts. “The automatic driving testing system is judging the driving ability of DL applicants through technology. They are tested on their driving skills by video analytics technology with zero human intervention,” another official said.