Several rules for driving licenses are set to change—from address updates to fees; what exactly will change?

There is significant news for those looking to obtain or modify a driving licence. The central government has released a draft proposing changes to the rules governing driving licences. Under this proposal, fees for updating information such as one's address, mobile number, or email address on a licence would be abolished. Furthermore, the government aims to simplify the application process, reduce the number of required documents, and establish a fixed timeline for the processing of applications.

In a notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the public has been invited to submit suggestions and objections regarding these proposed changes within 30 days. Please note that these are currently only proposals and have not yet been implemented.

Will services linked to Aadhaar also be free of charge?
According to the proposal, no fees will be charged for updating an address, mobile number, or email address on a driving licence. It is also proposed that services facilitated through online authentication via Aadhaar be made free of cost. The draft suggests a 15-day deadline for decisions on applications involving changes to a name or other personal details. Additionally, it is proposed that if an application for an address change is not processed within 30 days, it shall be deemed approved.

New forms, online applications, and emergency contacts
The draft introduces a new 'Form 2A' for tasks such as renewing a driving licence, obtaining a duplicate licence, or adding a new vehicle category. It also proposes an auto-fill feature for the 'Sarathi' portal, which would automatically populate existing information, thereby reducing the need for applicants to repeatedly enter the same details.

Furthermore, the proposal mandates the inclusion of emergency contact information in applications and introduces an option for individuals to register as organ donors. A provision has also been included for the automatic processing—within seven days—of requests to remove a specific vehicle category from a driving licence.

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