CHENNAI: Pavithra*, a techie in Chennai, was left red-faced last week when a motor vehicle inspector from

refused to let her take a

because he found her dress "inappropriate". "I was wearing

and a sleeveless top," said Pavithra. "But I really wanted the licence, so I rushed homeand returned in a salwar-kameez."

About 10 days earlier, Sumati*, a college student, was turned away by the same RTO as she was wearing a capri and a shirt. She was asked to "go home and dress decently". When she argued, the inspector gathered a few of his colleagues who also justified the unwritten rule, she said. "I didn't want to lose my chance to get a licence, so I got home and returned wearing salwar-kameez," she said. Advocate V S Suresh, who handles motor accident cases, said the law does not specify a dress code for driving tests. "The applicant must have reached 18 years of age and must have a sound mind," he said.

(*names changed to protect identity)