The Central Government has proposed several changes to driving licence rules to make applications and related services simpler for the public. The draft covers service charges, online applications, address verification, processing deadlines and documentation requirements.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has invited public suggestions and objections within 30 days. If approved, the proposed changes could make a range of driving licence services easier to access.
Driving Licence Updates May Become Free
Under the draft proposal, applicants may no longer need to pay fees to update their address, mobile number or email address on their driving licence. Services completed through Aadhaar-based online authentication may also qualify for fee exemptions.
The proposal also sets out timelines for processing applications. Requests to change a person’s name or other details would need to be decided within 15 days. Meanwhile, an address-change application that remains undecided for 30 days may be treated as approved under the proposed provisions.
These measures are intended to reduce delays and make licence-related services more convenient for applicants.
New Form and Online Application Changes Proposed
The government is considering introducing a separate Form 2A for services such as driving licence renewal, obtaining a duplicate licence and adding another vehicle category.
The Sarathi online portal may also receive an upgrade to automatically populate application details. This would reduce the need for applicants to enter the same information repeatedly and could simplify the application process.
Another proposed change would allow applications to remove a vehicle category from a driving licence to be processed automatically within seven days.
Electricity Bills and Gas Bills May Be Accepted as Address Proof
The draft proposes accepting electricity bills and domestic gas bills issued within the previous three months as valid address proof for driving licence services.
Applicants may also be required to provide emergency contact details when submitting their applications. In addition, the proposed process would give applicants the option to indicate whether they wish to become organ donors.
These changes are intended to simplify documentation while introducing additional information into the licence application process.
Are the New Driving Licence Rules Already in Effect?
No. The measures described are proposals in a draft notification and have not yet been implemented.
MoRTH has invited public feedback within the specified 30-day period before the proposed amendments proceed further. The final provisions will depend on the government’s decision and the official notification of any approved changes.
Until then, applicants should continue to follow the existing driving licence rules and check official government announcements for updates.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. The proposed changes should not be treated as implemented rules. Applicants should consult official notifications from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways before relying on any new fee exemptions, processing deadlines or documentation requirements.