Driving licence rules: MoRTH proposes colour-coded cards and stricter safety tests

India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, introducing colour-coded driving licences, mandatory emergency contact details, and higher qualification benchmarks for drivers.

Under the proposed notification, every licence issued or renewed across the country will switch to a standardised laminated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card under Form 7. The system will feature separate colour formats for Indian citizens and foreign nationals, helping authorities verify credentials quickly while modernising public documentation.

Stricter safe-driving tutorials and digital integration

To enhance road safety awareness, the transport ministry has proposed raising the minimum passing threshold for the online safe-driving tutorial assessment from 60 per cent to 75 per cent. The draft rules also specify that the tutorial module must run for at least 30 minutes before an applicant can complete the evaluation.

Alongside tougher safety checks, the draft notification simplifies administrative procedures for citizens. Applicants using Aadhaar authentication for select online driving licence services will receive a fee waiver, alongside free updates for personal details such as names and residential addresses.

To ensure swift public service delivery, regional licensing authorities will be required to approve or reject applications for detail changes within 15 days, providing explicit written reasons if an application is turned down.

Mandatory emergency information and simplified proof

The draft rules make it mandatory for all newly issued and renewed licences to prominently display the holder's blood group, mobile number, and emergency contact details on the card face.

To curb fraud while reducing paperwork for citizens, the ministry is doing away with executive magistrate or notary affidavits for age and address verification. Instead, standard official identification—including Aadhaar cards, passports, voter identity cards, e-ration cards, birth certificates, and life insurance policies—will serve as direct proof.

Public consultation window

The draft notification released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways invites comments, suggestions, and objections from the public and industry stakeholders within 30 days of publication before the final rules are gazetted.