Rented Self Drive Cars in Leh – Ladakh Banned “FORCIBLY”
Yes, the news is true that rented Self Drive cars in Leh – Ladakh are FORCIBLY banned now by taxi union. Over the past few days, there have been several reports put up on various social media platforms and online travel forums/communities. Further, a lot of funk has been created in the last one week regarding traveling to Ladakh and travellers are now reconsidering their plans. I would like to summarize the issues for you after going through all the sad incidents and also talking to various local people in Ladakh spanning from taxi guys to travel agents to hotel guys.
Soon after the resolution, there were isolated incidents of blocking hired self-drive cars and bikes in Ladakh and forcing its occupants to hire a local vehicle to do sightseeing within Ladakh. In some cases, tyres were deflated, people were surrounded. You can even read the advisory issued by Zoomcar themselves to all their customers below as well:
This clearly says, that Zoomcar also know about the taxi union compelled rule and advice taking rented cars to sightseeing in Ladakh thereby. The law is legal or illegal, as of now it does not matter unless you want to go and fight it out in court which I feel similar case is being fought in Jammu High court against the ban of outside rented bikes not permitted in Ladakh for sightseeing since last year. But, yes this compelled up issue or rule has been around now and also emerges that will proceed too. So, all fellow travellers must have caution that they are inline with this compelled non-approved rule by taxi union.
However, in the past week, we have learnt of duo of very sad incidents where people from the local taxi union have attacked self-drive rental cars violating their windshields, piercing bod armour with metal rods and injuring occupants in the process 😥 :sob:… The height of insanity we feel of this coerced upon rule.
From its discussions with sources and drivers in Ladakh, DoW has learnt that in addition to the attacks, tourists with private vehicles (white number plates) are also asked to prove that the vehicle belongs to them and isn’t hired. For example, it has been asked of the tourists that the person mentioned on the registration certificate of the vehicle should be present in the vehicle or if the vehicle belongs to a relative (father, mother, spouse, wifey), it has been asked to prove it using other documents like driving license, or so. The idea being, privately hired vehicles are also being confronted to control the malpractices of renting cars from outside Leh. But this might be a improvised phase for self drive cars with white number plates and in case you are in your own vehicle or someone with you, NOTHING TO WORRY AT ALL.
In view of the above, DoW would like to issue a rigorous advisory to all its members/readers to avoid using services of any self-drive rental company for sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh to Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri Lake. You can loosely use such rental services to get in to Leh and get out of Leh without any issues. Till the time matter is not resolved or confronted, please stick to the rule to avoid any hassles.
While carrying your own can or car of some relative, please carry sufficient documents to prove ownership of your private vehicle to avoid any trouble at all. If the vehicle is not in your name, consider migrating the RC or at the very least, get a affidavit executed from the proprietor to prove that the vehicle is a private vehicle and isn’t used for commercial purposes. However we cannot assure if the local taxi union will accept such an affidavit or not. Just a thought on mitigating the risk, in case arise when car does not belong to you and not a rented self drive car.
DoW also suggests that every traveller should carry a copy of the resolution of the taxi union which mentions that “non-local vehicles will only be permitted to drive on the highways from Srinagar and Manali to Leh and fro”. This will help you to avoid a confrontation with the taxi union if you’re driving to Leh, since you are permitted to park your vehicle in Leh and hire a local vehicle thereon.
DoW also suggests to an extent possible, avoid traveling in big convoy and rather go solo or in a petite group of 3-4 cars at most for this season to avoid any issues of confrontation as well. Also avoid traveling with anyone who is using a hired self-drive car as you might find yourself in the line of fire and end up being under collateral harm.
Beyond what is discussed above, we do not believe there is any reason to scare or reconsider your fantasy journey to Ladakh. Until a resolution on the above activities is reached, please go after the taxi union coerced upon rules to avoid hassles. However, shall a confrontation still occur, DoW recommends exercising restraint and resolving the matters amicably, suggesting to drive the vehicle to Leh, parking it there and hiring a local vehicle thereon.
In order to keep you updated on this sad unapproved taxi union coerced rule, we have embarked the entire thread in DoW Community on this taxi union coerced rule of self drive cars in Ladakh and other updates where you can find the incidents which happened over last few weeks and reported online. The link to the community thread is: Self drive cars in Ladakh – status & updates. Feel free to post your practices as well once you are back from your Leh – Ladakh tour to help other fellow travellers in dilemma too.
EDIT: Headline Updated. Also, we DO UNDERSTAND that the livelihood of the people up there in Leh – Ladakh does depend upon the tourism and having self rented cars from outside Leh, may be 50-60 cars at a time in Leh is affecting the lives and earnings of 50-60 drivers and their families while benefiting the people outside Leh in commercial terms, however, we strongly condemn such acts by Taxi Union of hurting the tourists or travelers for such coerced upon rules by them and not getting to the situation in sane way.
Blessed traveling to Leh – Ladakh guys and gals 😉 !!
PS: Indeed sorry for not writing on frequent basis for last few weeks, but now I am back from Saach Pass tour and other things are also sorted, you will get a post every Monday morning as it used to happen weekly earlier, commencing with Saach Pass only ;).
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