Driving Licence Alert: Govt Proposes New Tests, Card Formats and Fee Waivers

Driving Licence New Rules: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed tougher driving licence rules in India, including higher assessment marks and new licence formats.

Announced through draft amendments in October 2026, the proposals also include fee waivers for selected online services. The changes aim to improve driving assessments, simplify licence updates, and strengthen document verification. However, the government has not finalised these proposed rules yet.

New Driving Licence Rules: Test Pass Marks Increase To 75%

Under the proposal, applicants must score at least 75% in the safe-driving tutorial assessment, compared with the existing 60% requirement. The tutorial would also need to run for at least 30 minutes.

The proposed changes aim to strengthen the assessment process for learner drivers. Applicants would also get 15 days instead of seven to complete the learner’s licence process.

Whether you plan to drive a Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Nexon, or Hyundai Creta, you must hold the appropriate valid licence.

Colour-Coded Licences and New Card Formats

MoRTH has proposed separate driving licence formats for Indian and foreign nationals. The licences would use different colour schemes to distinguish between the two categories.

Under the draft rules, every licence issued or renewed would use a laminated or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) card in Form 7.

The government has also proposed making these details mandatory on driving licences:

• Blood group
• Mobile number
• Emergency contact numbers

These details could help identify drivers and provide important contact information during emergencies.

Driving Licence Updates Could Become Free

The proposed rules could reduce costs for people updating their licence details. MoRTH has proposed removing fees for changes to names, addresses, and other personal information.

Selected online driving licence services completed through Aadhaar authentication could also become free.

The draft proposes a consolidated Form 2A for several services, including:

• Driving licence renewal
• Duplicate licence applications
• Name and address changes
• Updates to personal details
• Addition of vehicle categories

Licensing authorities would need to approve or reject applications to change licence particulars within 15 days. They would also have to provide reasons for rejection.

Which Documents Will Applicants Need?

The draft proposes a defined list of documents for verifying identity, age, and residence. These include Aadhaar, passports, voter ID cards, e-ration cards, and birth certificates.

Recent electricity and household gas bills could also serve as address proof, provided they are no older than three months.

The proposal seeks to reduce reliance on affidavits sworn before magistrates or notaries. However, applicants should check the final rules before submitting documents.

When Will The New Rules Take Effect?

MoRTH has invited objections and suggestions on the draft amendments. The consultation period runs for 30 days from publication of the notification.

The proposed rules will take effect only after final publication, subject to the notification's terms.

For now, applicants should follow the existing requirements. If approved, the changes could make licence assessments stricter while reducing paperwork and fees for routine updates.

Car Junction Insights

I believe these proposed driving licence changes could make the process more transparent and convenient for Indian drivers. A higher test pass mark may encourage better preparation, while free online updates could save time and money. However, clear instructions and smooth implementation will be essential to avoid confusion among applicants.

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