MoRTH proposes stricter driving licence norms with 75 percent pass mark

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed raising the pass mark for the learner’s licence test from 60 percent to 75 percent. The change is part of a draft notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, which could make the process of getting a learner’s licence more rigorous.

1. Pass mark proposed to go up from 60 to 75 percent
2. Safe-driving tutorial to last at least 30 minutes
3. QR code-readable zone to replace the machine-readable zone on licences

MoRTH proposes changes to learner’s licence process

As per the draft notification, getting a learner’s licence would involve two steps. After applying, applicants would first have to complete an online tutorial on safe driving, which covers road signs, traffic rules and a driver’s duties after an accident, among other things. This tutorial would have to be at least 30 minutes long. They would get 15 days to do this, instead of the current 7 days. Once this tutorial is done, applicants would have 7 days to take the learner’s licence test. Here, they would have to score at least 75 percent to pass, up from the current 60 percent. 

Separate proof of address, age and identity would be required from applicants. According to the draft notification, documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID (EPIC), passport and an e-ration card can be used as proof of address, along with electricity and household gas bills from the previous three months. Proof of age documents can include a passport, birth certificate or a mark sheet from a recognised board or university.

Documents for proof of identity would include Aadhaar, a valid Indian passport, an e-ration card and PAN. Meanwhile, foreign applicants would need to show proof of legal presence in India, in addition to proof of residence. Applicants who are eligible for Aadhaar but don’t have one would need their signature attested by a witness holding a driving licence and an Aadhaar number in the presence of a medical practitioner.

MoRTH stated that it will be open to objections and suggestions from the public on this draft within 30 days of its release.

New licence formats and Form 2A proposed

As per the draft notification, every driving licence issued or renewed would be a laminated or PVC card. There are to be separate formats for Indian and foreign nationals, with each card having its own background colour. The machine-readable zone would also make way for a QR code-readable zone, which would carry details such as nationality, organ donor status, medical conditions and an emergency contact.

Meanwhile, a new Form 2A would bring together applications for adding a vehicle class, renewal, duplicate licences and changes to name, address or other particulars. No fee would be charged for changing these details or for any service availed through online Aadhaar authentication. For context, the charge for changing these details is currently Rs 200. Applications for change of address that are neither approved nor rejected within 30 days would be deemed approved.

More medical disclosures for licence applicants

The self-declaration on physical fitness in licence applications would be expanded to cover medical conditions as well, as per the draft notification. Applicants would have to declare any allergic reactions to medication and any medical or surgical implants, along with other medical details. According to the draft notification, this information would be used only in case of hospitalisation due to a road accident.

The question on epilepsy is also set to be replaced with a more detailed look into the applicant’s history with the disorder. Those who declare a seizure disorder or epilepsy, along with a seizure in the last three years, current anti-epileptic medication or a tapering dose of it, would not be medically cleared to obtain either a full driving licence or a learner’s licence. The same applies to adding a new vehicle class, renewing a licence or getting a duplicate licence.

Furthermore, mandatory fields in licence applications will have to include the applicant’s blood group and an emergency contact’s mobile number. Apart from this draft notification, MoRTH has also proposed making AEB mandatory for all cars from October 2032.