The gangs provide any applicant with a driving licence in a couple of days in exchange for Tk 500 to Tk 700 in the capital where, according to official statistics, more than 90 per cent of the driving licences and relevant documents are counterfeit.

A genuine licence costs an applicant up to Tk 5,000 depending on vehicles and may take more than a month for delivery. Besides, the genuine licence applicant has to sit for tests to qualify as licensee, a hurdle that the untrained drivers fear most and led them to go for counterfeits.

The drivers try to obtain fake licences also because the applicants are often harassed by BRTA officials and even asked to 'come to terms' to avoid harassment, said BRTA sources.

"The rackets have long been operating under the nose of the BRTA authorities and the communications ministry is well aware of it. But no action was taken against them," said a BRTA official.

"I have been working here for the last three years," said a fake licence middleman on condition of anonymity.

"I can give you driving licences for any vehicle at a cost of Tk 500 to Tk 700 and you can use them safely on any route in the city," he bragged.

He also provides fake registration certificate, insurance certificate, fitness certificate and route permit and the charges for certificates depend on vehicles.

The BRTA sources said most people who crowd the BRTA every day for licences seek counterfeits rather than originals. "The gangs have underhand dealings with a group of BRTA officials who promote the illegal business," said a source.

According to the Motor Vehicle Law of 1983, registration certificate, tax payment certificate and driving licence are required for all vehicles. But an investigation reveals that many private vehicle owners do not have tax payment certificates.

"To get a driving licence for a heavy vehicle like bus, a driver must have a three-year experience of driving light vehicles such as car, pickup and microbus," said a traffic sergeant.

"But most public transport drivers don't have even a one-year experience let alone three years, " said the traffic sergeant on condition of anonymity.

"If I find a driver without driving licence, I can fine him only Tk 200 which is not enough to check such a malpractice," he said.

"And if I find any vehicle unfit, I can fine its driver only Tk 700 which is too inadequate for a penalty. The drivers or owners pay the fine and get back to the street," the sergeant went on.

Asked why police do not take action against the drivers without valid papers, he said, "Our law has so many loopholes and offenders can escape punishment easily."

Another traffic sergeant said police often do not penalise fake licence holders, mindful of their poor economic condition. "I understand such sympathy encourages them to use fake licences," he said.

A top BRTA official admits to the presence of the fake licence rackets. "We have formed a mobile team to check the proliferation of fake fitness certificates and licences. If any BRTA official is found guilty, the authorities will take stern disciplinary action against him," said the official requesting anonymity.