Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Makes Marathi Mandatory For Cab Drivers, Licence At Stake
In the Indian state of Maharashtra, people who drive taxis, autorickshaws, and app-based cabs now need to know the local language, Marathi.
The new rules say drivers must have practical knowledge of Marathi to keep their driving permits.
If a driver cannot show that they know Marathi, their licence approval can be suspended for up to three months.
If they keep not following the rule, the approval can be taken away completely, but the driver first gets a chance to explain their side.
A driver who does not know Marathi gets a notice giving them one month to learn it.
The rule also applies to people who hold permits for these vehicles and to permit renewals.
The government says this will help drivers talk to passengers and understand their needs.
The government also says some drivers were avoiding the old rule because it was unclear.
The new rules are called the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said Marathi becomes mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers from August 15, with no extension of the deadline.
The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026 make 'working knowledge of Marathi' mandatory for drivers and permit holders of autorickshaws, taxis and app-based motor cabs with electronic meters.
Drivers lacking the requirement can have the relevant driving licence authorisation suspended for up to three months; continued violations can lead to cancellation.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ruled out extending the August 15 deadline for taxi and autorickshaw drivers to learn functional Marathi.
Officials said the change removes ambiguity in earlier rules that some non-Marathi-speaking drivers exploited, and improves driver-commuter communication.
The draft notification is cleared for issuance by the law and judiciary department, with the home department to issue the final notification; one report describes the rules as already amended.
- Who
- Commercial passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra (autorickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers), Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
- What
- Amended motor vehicle rules making 'working knowledge of Marathi' mandatory, with up to three-month licence authorisation suspension for non-compliance and possible revocation.
- When
- Under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, with functional Marathi mandatory from August 15.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- To improve communication between drivers and passengers and remove ambiguity in earlier rules that some drivers exploited.
- State
- Maharashtra, India
- Governing rules
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Amended rules
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
- Underlying law
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Affected drivers
- Autorickshaw, taxi and app-based motor cab drivers with electronic meters
- Penalty
- Suspension of licence authorisation for up to 3 months; revocation for continued non-compliance
- Deadline
- August 15 - functional Marathi mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers
- Key amended rules
- Rule 4, Rule 22(3A), Rule 78, Rule 85
