Driving Licence to Get a New Look: Why Is the Government Introducing Colour-Coded DLs?

The government is set to introduce colour-coded driving licences (DLs) to distinguish between Indian citizens and foreign nationals. Future driving licences will include details such as the holder's citizenship, blood group, and an emergency contact number. Read on to learn about the upcoming changes.

If you already hold a driving licence or are planning to apply for one, these proposed government changes are relevant to you. Driving licences will now include information about the holder's citizenship, in addition to their name and address. Furthermore, the government plans to introduce distinct colour-coded designs for the driving licences of Indian citizens and foreign nationals.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a draft proposing several amendments to the rules governing driving licences. These changes are intended to curb the use of fraudulent documents and streamline the licence issuance process. Find more details below.

What Will Distinguish the Licences?

According to the government's proposal, a driving licence will specify the holder's citizenship. Licences for Indian citizens and foreign nationals will feature different colours and formats, making it easier to identify a holder's citizenship at a glance. The specific colours to be used have not yet been announced.

What Information Will Be Included on the Licence?

The government intends to include the holder's blood group, mobile number, and emergency contact information on the driving licence. This could prove vital in the event of a road accident, facilitating the identification of an injured person or enabling contact with their family members.

Changes to Affidavit Requirements

Currently, applicants for a driving licence can submit an affidavit—sworn before an executive magistrate or a notary—as proof of age and address. The government now proposes to remove this option, as affidavits carry a risk of being used to provide false information, such as an incorrect date of birth or a fabricated address.

The proposed list of acceptable documents for proof of age includes items such as a passport, birth certificate, and school board mark sheet. Meanwhile, for proof of address, it is proposed that documents such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, e-ration card, and electricity or gas bills from the last three months be accepted.

What will change regarding learner's licenses?

Under the draft of the new driving license rules, the passing score for the online safe-driving tutorial test—required for a learner's license—is set to increase. Currently, a score of 60 percent is required to pass this test; the proposal aims to raise this to 75 percent. Additionally, it is proposed that the online safe-driving tutorial must have a minimum duration of 30 minutes.