The Ministry of Road Transport has put forward a proposal to raise the passing score for safe driving assessment from the current 60% to 75%. Furthermore, it is proposed to abolish fees for certain services related to driver's licenses issued through Aadhaar online authentication, as well as waive fees for changes to personal data such as name and address.
These proposed changes to driver's license acquisition rules aim to tighten assessment requirements and ensure seamless citizen access to licensing-related services. The draft notification, amending sections of the Central Transport Rules, published late Wednesday evening, is also intended to optimize online driver's license services, clarify acceptable documents for identity and residence verification, and establish processing times for data change applications.
According to the proposal, safe driving lessons must last at least thirty minutes. A higher qualification score of 70% is intended to make the assessment stricter. The draft also provides a clear procedure for online submission of driver's license data change applications, including name and address. Licensing authorities are obliged to approve or reject such applications within 15 days, providing justification for any refusal.
If an address change application remains unresolved for 30 days, it will be considered approved. The proposed rules also detail the documents that can be submitted as proof of age, identity, and residence. These documents include Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, recognized educational certificates, and birth certificates, among others. Electricity and household gas bills, no older than three months, are included in the list of documents confirming the address.
The proposal also includes a unified application form covering services such as license renewal, duplicate issuance, addition of vehicle classes, and personal data changes. Relevant applicant information will be electronically extracted from the SARATHI portal if available.
Under another proposed change, a vehicle class can be removed from the driver's license within seven days of submitting a request for its surrender. However, applicants who permanently opt out of a specific class will not be able to obtain learner's or driver's licenses for that class for one year.
The draft notification invites interested parties to submit objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication. These suggestions will only come into effect after final official notification.