Driving licences for Indians and foreigners may soon have different colour schemes

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a broad update to driving licence rules. Every licence issued or renewed would be a laminated or PVC card in Form 7. Indian and foreign nationals would receive separate formats. Blood group, mobile number and emergency contact numbers would become mandatory details.

The draft also changes supporting documents and testing. Aadhaar, passports, voter identity cards, e-ration cards and birth certificates would be among accepted identity, age and residence documents. Affidavits and life insurance policies could also be accepted. The safe-driving tutorial would last at least 30 minutes, with the passing score rising to 75% from 60%.

Some online services completed through Aadhaar authentication could become free. Fees for changing names or addresses could also be removed. Authorities would need to decide such changes within 15 days and explain refusals. Stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments.

A driving licence is an official document issued by a licensing authority to a person permitted to drive. It identifies the licence holder and records information linked to the licence. The article discusses proposed details such as blood group, mobile number and emergency contacts, along with identity, age and residence documents.

It is required for legal driving because it connects permission to an approved applicant. Before issuing a licence, authorities can check identity, age and address, and assess safe-driving knowledge through a tutorial. Under the proposal, applicants would need to meet a 75% qualifying score, compared with 60% now, and complete a tutorial lasting at least 30 minutes.

The source focuses on India’s proposed rules and does not describe every legal consequence of driving without a licence. It does show that licensing authorities control issuance and renewal. The proposed card formats, document checks and assessment standards are intended to tighten that process.

The proposal would raise the qualifying score for the safe-driving tutorial assessment from 60% to 75%. This is a 15 percentage-point increase. The change is part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

For example, an applicant who scores 65% would currently clear a 60% threshold. Under the proposal, the same score would not be enough. The applicant would need at least 75%. The tutorial would also have to run for a minimum of 30 minutes, adding a time requirement alongside the higher score.

The article presents the increase as a way to tighten assessment requirements. It does not say how many applicants would fail under the new threshold or when the change would take effect. The draft notification invites objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of publication, so the proposal could still receive feedback.

A longer tutorial and higher qualifying score could make the application process more demanding. Applicants would need to spend at least 30 minutes on the safe-driving tutorial and reach 75%, rather than 60%. The stated aim is to tighten assessment requirements.

For example, someone scoring 65% would pass under the current 60% standard but would fail under the proposed 75% standard. That applicant might need to prepare more carefully or retake the assessment, although the article does not specify retake rules. The longer tutorial also means more time must be spent completing the assessment.

The proposal does not estimate how many applicants could be affected. It also does not say whether processing times would change. Stakeholders have 30 days to submit objections and suggestions, so the final rules could reflect feedback before implementation. The higher threshold is proposed, not described as an already active requirement.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed separate driving licence formats for Indian and foreign nationals. Both formats would use a laminated or PVC card in Form 7. This creates a formal distinction in how licences are issued to the two groups.

For example, an Indian national and a foreign national could receive cards using different formats even when both licences are issued or renewed by a licensing authority. The article also proposes changes to identity, age and residence documents, including Aadhaar, passports, voter identity cards, e-ration cards and birth certificates. These requirements would support the application process.

The article does not give a specific reason for introducing separate formats. It therefore cannot establish whether the purpose is identification, administration or another concern. What it does establish is that the distinction is included in the draft amendments. The proposal remains open to stakeholder objections and suggestions for 30 days after publication.

The proposal could reduce the cost of selected online driving licence services completed through Aadhaar authentication. It also recommends removing charges for changing personal details, including a person’s name and address. These changes would make some licence-related transactions free, but only where the proposal’s conditions apply.

For example, an applicant using Aadhaar authentication for an eligible online service might pay no fee. Someone requesting a name or address change could also avoid the recommended charge. Licensing authorities would have to approve or reject applications to change particulars within 15 days. If they reject an application, they would have to provide reasons.

The article does not say that Aadhaar authentication itself would shorten processing times. The clear speed-related rule is the 15-day decision requirement for changes to licence particulars. These are proposed amendments, not confirmed current services. Stakeholders can submit objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication, so the final arrangements may change.

Licensing authorities require identity, age and address documents so they can verify an applicant’s basic details before issuing a licence. These checks connect the licence to the correct person and help confirm that the application meets the stated requirements. The draft specifically includes provisions intended to prevent misuse.

The proposed list includes Aadhaar, passports, voter identity cards, e-ration cards and birth certificates, among other documents. The draft would also accept affidavits and life insurance policies for age and address purposes. For example, an authority could use these documents to check an applicant’s identity, age or residence before processing the licence.

The article does not describe every eligibility rule or explain how each document would be evaluated. It does state that the ministry is revising accepted proof requirements. These changes form part of a wider effort to tighten licensing administration, alongside a higher tutorial score, mandatory contact details and separate card formats for Indian and foreign nationals.