The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Friday proposed changes to driving licence rules, including separate colours and formats for Indian and foreign nationals, mandatory personal and emergency contact details, and changes to the documents accepted as proof of age and address.
The proposals are part of draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The Centre has also proposed removing the requirement for affidavits sworn before an executive magistrate or notary as proof of age and address, according to PTI.
Under the draft rules, driving licences would have to carry the holder's blood group, mobile number and emergency contact numbers.
"Every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority shall be in the form of a laminated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card in Form 7, and the Form shall contain separate formats for driving licences issued or renewed for Indian nationals and foreign nationals, respectively," the draft notification said.
The ministry has also proposed accepting affidavits and life insurance policies as proof of age and address to prevent misuse.
Safe-Driving Assessment To Become Stricter
MoRTH has proposed raising the qualifying threshold for the safe-driving tutorial assessment from the existing 60 per cent to 75 per cent. The tutorial would also have to run for at least 30 minutes under the proposed rules.
The ministry has also proposed waiving fees for select online driving licence services when applicants complete the process through Aadhaar authentication.
15-Day Deadline For Changes To Driving Licence Details
Under the draft amendments, licensing authorities would be required to approve or reject applications to change driving licence particulars, including the holder's name and address, within 15 days. Reasons would have to be provided if an application is rejected.
The ministry has also proposed removing charges for changes to personal details, including name and address.
The draft rules specify the documents applicants can submit as proof of identity, age and residence. These include Aadhaar, passport, voter identity card, e-ration card and birth certificate, among other documents.
Feedback On Draft Rules
The draft notification reiterates that every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority must be provided as a laminated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card in Form 7.
The ministry has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of publication of the draft notification.
