New Delhi, Oct 22,2026: The Centre has proposed major changes to driving licence rules, including abolishing fees for updating personal details, raising the minimum passing marks for the learner’s licence test from 60 to 75 per cent and introducing time-bound approval of applications for changes in licence particulars.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, proposing changes in licensing procedures, documentary requirements and fees for certain services. According to a notification , the government proposes to abolish the existing Rs 200 fee for changing the name or other particulars recorded on a driving licence.
Changes in residential address and updates to mobile numbers and email IDs would also be free of charge. The draft further proposes that no fee be charged for services availed through online Aadhaar authentication under the relevant driving licence fee provisions. In a significant proposal affecting new drivers, the minimum passing score for the learner’s licence test would be increased from 60 to 75 per cent. Applicants would also be required to complete an online safe-driving tutorial lasting at least 30 minutes.
The period for completing the tutorial after submitting an application would be extended from seven to 15 days. For existing driving licence holders, the ministry has proposed a time-bound mechanism for updating personal details through the online portal. Under the draft rules, licensing authorities would be required to approve or reject applications for changes in licence particulars within 15 days, with reasons for rejection recorded in writing and communicated to applicants. Significantly, applications for a change of address would be deemed approved if the licensing authority failed to accept or reject them within 30 days.
The government has also proposed revised documentary requirements for establishing the identity, age and address of driving licence applicants. Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, passports, e-ration cards and specified government-issued identity documents would be accepted as address proof. Electricity and household gas bills not older than three months would also qualify as address proof.
PAN cards would be accepted as proof of identity, while passports, birth certificates, and educational certificates containing the applicant’s date of birth would be among the documents accepted for age verification. The proposed amendments also provide for separate driving licence card formats for Indian and foreign nationals, with licences issued or renewed in laminated or PVC card form. Another provision would allow motorists to permanently surrender one or more vehicle categories from their driving licences. Such categories would be deleted within 7 days of receipt of the application.
However, motorists surrendering a vehicle category would be ineligible to obtain a learner’s or driving licence for that category for one year from the date of surrender. The ministry has also proposed abolishing the prescribed fee for the specified change-of-residence-related vehicle registration service, including additional charges currently applicable for delays in submitting a No Objection Certificate.
The existing provision specifies additional charges of Rs 300 per month or part thereof for motorcycles and Rs 500 for other vehicles. The draft notification also proposes changes to medical fitness declarations, including additional disclosures concerning certain medical conditions, medication allergies and medical or surgical implants. The government has invited objections and suggestions from the public and stakeholders within 30 days from the date on which copies of the notification are made available.
