Politics · India · 5 hrs ago
India proposes tougher driving tutorial test and free online licence services
India's road transport ministry has proposed changes to driving-licence rules in a draft notification.
The proposal would make a safe-driving tutorial last at least 30 minutes and raise its pass mark, but the text gives conflicting figures: 75% in one section and 70% in another.
Some specified licence services would be free when accessed online using Aadhaar authentication, and fees would also be waived for changes such as updating a name or address.
Licensing authorities would have to decide on changes to licence details within 15 days, while an undecided address-change application would be treated as approved after 30 days.
The draft also lists acceptable identity and address documents, and says a surrendered vehicle class would be removed from a licence within seven days; the holder could not get a licence for that class for one year.
The ministry is inviting feedback for 30 days, and the proposals would take effect only after a final notification.
India’s road transport ministry has proposed changes to driving-licence rules, including a higher pass mark for a safe-driving tutorial and free access to specified online services.
The draft says the tutorial would last at least 30 minutes and gives conflicting pass marks: 75% in one passage and 70% in another.
Fees would be waived for specified services accessed online using Aadhaar authentication and for changes to licence details such as name and address.
Authorities would have to decide applications to change licence details within 15 days, while undecided address-change applications would be deemed approved after 30 days.
The proposals are open to objections and suggestions for 30 days and would take effect after a final notification.
- Who
- India’s road transport ministry proposed the changes.
- What
- The draft would tighten the safe-driving tutorial assessment and waive fees for specified online licence services and changes to licence details.
- When
- The draft was published late Wednesday night; the article was published on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The ministry said the changes aim to make the assessment more stringent and make licence-related services easier to access.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The draft notification proposing changes to driving-licence rules was published.
Stakeholders may submit objections and suggestions.
The proposed rules would come into force.
- Tutorial duration
- At least 30 minutes
- Proposed pass mark
- 75% in one passage; 70% in another
- Application decisions
- Within 15 days
- Address-change applications
- Deemed approved if undecided after 30 days
- Consultation period
- 30 days after publication