Driving Licence Rules: The Central Government has issued a draft proposal to revise several driving licence-related rules with the aim of simplifying the application process and providing greater convenience to applicants. The proposed changes cover licence fees, online services, address verification, application deadlines and document requirements. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has invited suggestions and objections from the public within 30 days.

Under the proposal, applicants may no longer have to pay fees for updating their address, mobile number or email address on their driving licence. Services completed through Aadhaar-based online authentication may also be exempted from fees. The draft further proposes time limits for processing applications, including a decision within 15 days for changes to a person’s name and other details. If an address-change application is not decided within 30 days, it may be treated as approved under the proposed provisions.

The government is also considering introducing a separate Form 2A for services such as driving licence renewal, obtaining a duplicate licence and adding a new vehicle category. The Sarathi portal may be upgraded to automatically fill in application details, reducing repetitive data entry and making the online process easier.

Another proposed change concerns address proof. Electricity bills and domestic gas bills that are no more than three months old may be accepted as valid documents for this purpose. The draft also proposes making emergency contact details mandatory in licence applications and providing applicants with an option to indicate whether they wish to become organ donors.

In addition, applications to remove a vehicle category from a driving licence may be processed automatically within seven days under the proposed rules.

“>October 22, 2026

These changes are intended to make driving licence services more accessible, transparent and efficient. However, **the proposals are not yet implemented**. The government has invited public feedback on the draft within the specified 30-day period. Applicants should continue following the existing rules until the final amendments are officially notified.