New Rules for Driving Licences: If you take a vehicle out on the road, you must possess a valid driving licence. Whether you already have one or are planning to apply for one, the government has introduced new changes. Driving licences will now include the holder’s citizenship, in addition to their name and address.
Furthermore, the government is introducing driving licences with distinct colour schemes for Indian citizens and foreign nationals. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a draft proposing several changes to the rules governing driving licences. These measures aim to curb the use of fraudulent documents and simplify the licence application process. You can find comprehensive details in this article.
What will change on the driving licence?
Under the government’s new regulations, a driving licence will now specify the holder’s citizenship. Additionally, there will be different colours and formats for licences issued to Indian citizens and foreign nationals, making it easier to identify a person’s citizenship status by looking at the licence. However, the specific colours to be used have not yet been announced.
What information will be included on the licence?
The government intends to include the holder’s blood group, mobile number, and emergency contact information on the driving licence. This would prove highly beneficial in the event of a road accident, as it would facilitate the identification of an injured person and make it easier to contact their family members.
Potential changes to the affidavit requirement
Currently, applicants for a driving licence can submit an affidavit—attested by a magistrate or a notary—as proof of age and address. The government is now considering removing this option, as there is a persistent risk that individuals might use such affidavits to provide false dates of birth or fraudulent addresses.
According to a proposal submitted to the government, documents such as passports, birth certificates, and school board mark sheets have been included in the list for age verification. For address verification, documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, e-ration cards, and electricity or gas bills from the last three months have been included as acceptable proof.
Changes to Learner’s Licences
It is worth noting that the passing threshold for the ‘safe driving tutorial test’—a requirement for obtaining a new driving license—may be increased. Currently, a score of 60% is required to pass the test, but plans are underway to raise this passing mark to 75%. Furthermore, the online safe driving tutorial will be required to last for at least 30 minutes.