Govt plans colour-coded DLs for Indians, foreigners; may scrap affidavits

The government has proposed a major redesign of India’s driving-licence system. Licences would mention whether the holder is an Indian or foreign national. Separate colour schemes would also distinguish the two groups. The changes are part of draft amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules.

The draft would replace easily misused proof methods with listed documents. It would also require licences to carry the holder’s blood group, mobile number and emergency contact details. Applicants using online Aadhaar authentication could avoid fees for specified services, such as changing an address, name or contact number.

The proposal also raises the online safe-driving assessment pass mark from 60% to 75%. The tutorial would last at least 30 minutes. Licence-detail changes would receive a decision within 15 days, while an undecided address-change application would be deemed approved after 30 days.

Colour-coded licences would create a visible distinction between Indian and foreign licence holders. The licence would also state the holder’s nationality. Together, these features would make the holder’s national status apparent from the document itself.

For example, an Indian national’s licence would use the colour scheme assigned to Indians, while a foreign national’s licence would use another scheme. The draft article does not name the colours. It only says that separate schemes are proposed for the two categories.

This is a proposed change, not a current rule described as already in force. It forms part of wider efforts to improve licence records and prevent false information. The ministry also wants applicants to use verifiable documents and to provide blood group, mobile number and emergency contact details.

The proposal would make the online safe-driving assessment more demanding. Applicants would need at least 75% to pass, compared with the current 60%. This is a rise of 15 percentage points, intended to strengthen the knowledge check before licensing.

The tutorial itself would have to run for at least 30 minutes. For example, an applicant could not complete a very short lesson and then take the assessment under the proposed minimum. The draft links the longer tutorial and higher score to safer, more serious preparation.

These are proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules, not figures described as already implemented. If adopted, applicants would face a stricter online learning and testing process. The article presents this as part of broader efforts to tighten assessments and reduce weaknesses in the licensing system.

The proposal seeks to remove affidavits sworn before an executive magistrate, judicial magistrate or notary as fallback proof of age and address. Life insurance policies would also no longer be accepted. The goal is to reduce false applications and make supporting evidence easier to verify.

The article cites the use of simple affidavits to register false addresses and dates of birth. For instance, someone unable to produce a listed document could previously submit such an affidavit. Under the draft, authorities would instead use separate document lists for address, age and identity.

This is a proposed shift toward verifiable records. It could make applications more demanding for people without standard documents, but the ministry says the changes aim to curb false submissions. The wider package also tightens the safe-driving assessment and streamlines online licence services.

The draft proposes firm deadlines for online applications to change driving-licence particulars, including name and address. Licensing authorities would have to approve or reject these applications within 15 days. If they reject one, they would need to explain why.

Address changes receive a special safeguard. If an address-change application remains undecided for 30 days, it would be deemed approved. For example, silence beyond that period would no longer leave the applicant waiting indefinitely under the proposed rule.

These deadlines are intended to make licence services more predictable and accessible. They are part of a wider plan to streamline online processes, including a consolidated application form for renewals, duplicate licences, vehicle-class additions and personal-detail changes. The rules are still described as a draft proposal.

The draft separates evidence into three categories: address, age and identity. This makes it clearer which documents support each part of a driving-licence application. It also replaces less verifiable fallback methods with listed records.

For address, applicants could use Aadhaar, an Electoral Photo Identity Card, an e-ration card, or electricity or gas bills from the preceding three months. Foreign nationals could provide proof of legal presence. Age evidence could include a passport, school-board mark sheet, birth certificate or government department identity card.

For identity, the listed options include Aadhaar, passports, e-ration cards and PAN. These documents are proposed requirements under the draft, not a statement that every listed document is needed together. The ministry says the approach would help curb false documents while supporting online licence services.

A driving licence is an official document that permits a person to drive specified vehicles. It identifies the licence holder and records the authority’s approval to drive. That makes it important for confirming who is operating a vehicle and whether the person has met the required licensing conditions.

The proposed system would strengthen that identification. Licences would carry nationality, blood group, mobile number and emergency contact details. Authorities would also verify separate documents for address, age and identity. For example, an applicant might use a birth certificate for age and PAN for identity.

The article connects these changes with road safety and more reliable records. The safe-driving tutorial would last at least 30 minutes, and the pass mark would rise to 75%. These measures are proposed, so their final effect depends on the draft rules being adopted.