Bengaluru, Oct 23: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to introduce significant reforms to the rules governing the issuance of driving licenses and the process for making changes to them.
A draft notification has been issued under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, proposing measures such as making the driving license (DL) test more rigorous, establishing time limits for the delivery of services, and making certain online services free of charge.
What are the key points in the draft notification?
1. Stricter Driving Test – 75% Marks Made Mandatory
To foster greater awareness regarding road safety among drivers, the ‘Safe Driving Tutorial’ assessment test is being made more stringent. Previously, a score of 60% was required to pass; moving forward, securing a minimum of 75% marks will be mandatory. Additionally, the duration of this tutorial will be at least 30 minutes.
2. 15-Day Deadline for Name or Address Changes
If an application is submitted to change a name or address on a driving license, RTO officials must process and dispose of the application within a maximum of 15 days. In the event that an application is rejected, a clear reason for the rejection must be provided. Furthermore, a significant new rule is being introduced: if authorities fail to make a decision on an application for a change of address within 30 days, it will be deemed ‘automatically approved.’
3. Aadhaar-based services likely to become free
It has been proposed to waive fees for select Driving License (DL) services obtained online through Aadhaar authentication. Service charges for updating personal details, such as name and address, are likely to be abolished.
4. Changes to the list of accepted documents – LIC policies no longer valid
Aadhaar cards, passports, Voter ID cards, educational certificates, and birth certificates may be used as proof of identity and address. Recent electricity or gas bills (from within the last 3 months) are permitted for address verification. However, it has been decided to remove ‘LIC policy bonds’—which were previously accepted as proof of address—from this list.
5. A single application for multiple services
A comprehensive, unified application form will be introduced on the ‘Sarathi’ portal for various services, including license renewal, obtaining a duplicate license, and adding a new class of vehicle. This will spare the public the inconvenience of repeatedly entering the same information.
6. One-year ban for cancelling a vehicle class! If an individual applies to have a specific vehicle category (e.g., heavy vehicle or motorcycle) removed from their license, it will be deleted within 7 days. However, once a vehicle category has been removed, the individual will be ineligible to obtain a new learner’s or driving license for that specific category for a period of one year.
30-Day Period for Public Feedback
This is currently a draft proposal; the rules do not come into effect immediately. The public has been granted a 30-day window to submit objections or suggestions regarding these changes. The new rules will officially come into force only after the government reviews this feedback and issues a final notification. Until then, the existing rules will remain in effect.