The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has put forward a draft notification to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) of 1989, introducing stricter regulations for obtaining a learner’s licence. Among the key changes, authorities plan to elevate the required passing score for the learner’s test from 60 percent to 75 percent. Furthermore, the ministry stated that it will accept public comments, feedback, and objections regarding the draft over a 30-day period following its publication.

New Application Process and Timelines

Under the proposed framework, securing a learner’s licence will involve a two-tier procedure. Candidates must initially complete an online educational module focusing on safe driving, encompassing traffic regulations, road signs, and responsibilities following a collision. This digital tutorial must run for a minimum duration of 30 minutes. Candidates will receive a 15-day window to finish this module, a notable extension from the existing 7-day limit. Subsequent to completing the tutorial, individuals will have 7 days to attempt the learner’s licence examination, where they are required to achieve a minimum score of 75 percent.

The draft guidelines also outline revised documentation standards, demanding distinct proofs for identity, age, and address. Valid address proofs comprise an e-ration card, voter ID (EPIC), Aadhaar, passport, alongside household gas bills and electricity statements from the preceding three months. Age verification documents include birth certificates, passports, or mark sheets issued by a recognized university or board. For identity verification, acceptable paperwork features a valid Indian passport, Aadhaar, PAN, and an e-ration card. Foreign nationals must supply verification of their legal residency in India alongside address proof. Candidates eligible for Aadhaar who lack the document must get their signature verified by a medical practitioner in the presence of a witness who possesses an Aadhaar number and a valid driving licence.

Updated Documentation and Card Formats

Every newly printed or renewed driving permit will take the shape of a PVC or laminated card. Separate layouts are designated for foreign citizens and Indian nationals, with distinct background hues assigned to each category. Traditional machine-readable areas will be phased out in favor of QR code-readable zones that store data concerning medical status, nationality, emergency contact details, and organ donor registration.

Additionally, a consolidated document known as Form 2A will combine requests for duplicate permits, adding vehicle classes, renewals, and modifications to names, addresses, or other personal particulars. No charges will be levied for altering these details or utilizing online Aadhaar authentication services, replacing the current fee of Rs 200. Furthermore, requests for address modifications that remain unaddressed with neither approval nor rejection inside 30 days will be treated as automatically approved.

Enhanced Medical Disclosures and Regulations

Self-declaration forms regarding physical well-being on licence applications will broaden to incorporate specific health conditions. Candidates must document surgical or medical implants along with any adverse medication reactions, with the ministry noting this data will be utilized solely during hospital admissions resulting from vehicle collisions.

The standard inquiry concerning epilepsy will transition into a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's medical history regarding the condition. Individuals reporting a seizure disorder or epilepsy—alongside any occurrence of a seizure over the past three years, or those currently taking tapering doses of anti-epileptic drugs or standard medication—will fail to secure medical clearance for a learner's permit, a standard driving licence, a duplicate card, licence renewal, or the addition of a new vehicle class. Additionally, application forms must mandatorily capture the applicant's blood group and a mobile number for an emergency contact. Beyond these licensing updates, MoRTH has also tabled a proposal to mandate Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) across all automobiles starting in October 2032.

Summary of Licensing Proposals

  • Learner licence test pass mark raised from 60 to 75 percent
  • Online safe-driving tutorial duration set to at least 30 minutes
  • Time allowed to complete the tutorial extended from 7 days to 15 days
  • Machine-readable zone replaced with a QR code zone containing medical and emergency data
  • Introduction of Form 2A for renewals, duplicates, and personal detail updates with zero online fees
  • Mandatory declaration of medication allergies, surgical implants, and detailed epilepsy history