Fake Driving Licences – A viable reality in the bureaucratic Kingdom of Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, a relatively isolated country residing to the east of the Himalayas and to the North West of India is completely landlocked, and up until recently they had not embraced direct international air travel, internet use or mobile phone networks. The country attempts to balance the demands of Buddhist culture, western modernisation and historical traditions by using a centralised guiding philosophy of (GNH) Gross National Happiness.

The strict ruling regime and fondness for bureaucracy has instilled a lengthy and laborious process of obtaining a driving licence. An initial learners driving licence requires at least 6 months tuition alongside the statutory written and practical testing. For those who want a driving licence quickly, or more easily there is an alternative. As with most Asian countries, corruption is rife, and for the right money a middle man can be found who will be able to supply a driving licence within a few days. The most common source of these genuine but fake driving licences, is from officers working at the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA). Typical prices for an unofficially obtained or fake driving licence range from Nu 6000 to Nu 8000, which is typically about $1300-$1700 or approximately £800-£1000.

Large scale issuance of illegally obtained or fake driving licences has reportedly existed in Bhutan underground for many years, with not only the capital affected but most areas across the country. Fake Driving licences are also available across the border in India, but a more common tactic is to obtain a cheaper Indian driving licence through a middleman or fixer and then use this to exchange for a genuine Bhutan drivers license.

The failure of the RSTA to record full issuing details of each driving licence facilitates the officers sideline income in the fake id that they sell, the detection of falsely issued and fake driving licences becomes almost impossible and is quite likely supported by higher ranking officers as their income may involve a cut from the fake driving licences.

Vigilance in detecting the illegally obtained driving licences is apparently demonstrated, a press release states, external driving licences from some Indian states such as Jaigoan are no longer eligible for exchange due to the number of fake driving licences issued there. This has not deterred the fake driving licence marketeers though as although more expensive are now able to supply suitable fake driving licences from other states.