Driving Licence Cancellation: As the country’s transport system improves, incidents of vehicle-related accidents are reported daily. To enhance road safety and curb reckless driving, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has proposed a new graded, point-based system. Under this plan, drivers who repeatedly violate traffic rules will face point deductions from their driving licences and vehicle registration certificates.

How will the new negative points system work?

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled this scheme while addressing the 66th convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Under the proposed system, authorities will deduct specific points from a driver’s licence whenever a driver violates a traffic rule. If a driver consistently disregards rules and the accumulated points exceed a set limit, authorities can suspend or cancel the individual’s driving licence or vehicle registration certificate (RC).

Rewards and insurance discounts for drivers

This scheme is not limited to fines and penalties; it also includes provisions to reward good drivers. The Minister clarified that individuals with clean driving records who do not violate rules could receive special benefits or incentives from insurance companies and other agencies. The government’s objective is not merely to issue traffic challans but to promote responsible driving behaviour on the roads.

Focus on training centres across the country
In light of rising road accidents, Nitin Gadkari highlighted that poor driving standards are a major issue in the country. The government is focusing on driver training to address this. The government plans to establish about 1,600 new driving training centres nationwide; 24 are already operational, and 112 are in the pipeline. So far, these centres have trained around 10 lakh (1 million) drivers.

What are the safety measures?
In addition to this new point system for driving licenses, the government plans to introduce NCAP 2.0 in the country starting in October 2027 to further strengthen road safety. This new system will not be limited to crash safety alone; it will also encompass pedestrian safety, accident prevention, and immediate post-accident medical assistance.