Driving Licence Rules 2026 could bring major changes for motorists across India, including free updates to personal details, a tougher learner’s licence test and faster processing of certain applications.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, but the changes are still at the draft stage and are not yet in force.
The proposals cover licence fees, application forms, supporting documents, safe-driving tutorials and the format of driving licence cards.
The government has invited objections and suggestions within 30 days of the draft’s publication, giving stakeholders an opportunity to respond before any final rules are notified.
Driving Licence Rules 2026: What Are the 7 Proposed Changes?
The draft aims to simplify some licence-related services while strengthening requirements for learner drivers. Here are seven key proposals that existing licence holders and new applicants should know about.
 Updating Licence Details Could Become Free
The government has proposed removing fees for changing a driving licence holder’s name, address and other personal particulars. Updates to mobile numbers and email addresses are also covered by the proposed changes.
The draft additionally proposes waiving fees for specified services accessed through online Aadhaar authentication. These exemptions would apply under the relevant provisions if the amendments are finalised.
 Learner’s Licence Test Pass Mark May Rise to 75%
One of the most significant proposals concerns the learner’s licence test. The minimum passing score would increase from the existing 60% to 75%, requiring applicants to answer more questions correctly.
The proposal is intended to strengthen the assessment of applicants’ knowledge of safe driving. Until the draft is finalised and brought into effect, applicants should continue following the existing applicable requirements.
 Safe-Driving Tutorial May Require at Least 30 Minutes
The draft proposes making the online safe-driving tutorial at least 30 minutes long. It also proposes extending the period for completing the tutorial from seven days to 15 days after submitting the application.
These changes would give applicants a defined period to complete the required learning activity while setting a minimum duration for the tutorial.
 Electricity and Gas Bills Could Be Accepted as Address Proof
The proposed amendments revise the list of documents that applicants can use to establish their identity, age and address.
Electricity bills and household gas bills issued no more than three months before the application date could be accepted as address proof.
Other documents listed in the draft include Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, passports, e-ration cards and specified government-issued identity documents.
PAN cards are proposed as identity proof, while passports, birth certificates and eligible educational certificates could be used to establish age. Applicants should check the final document list if the amendments are approved.
 Licence Detail Changes Could Be Processed Within 15 Days
The draft proposes a time-bound process for applications to change driving licence particulars.
Licensing authorities would generally have to approve or reject such applications within 15 days, recording reasons in writing if an application is rejected.
For address-change applications, the proposal provides for deemed approval if the authority neither accepts nor rejects the application within 30 days.
This provision is part of the draft and should not be treated as an existing guarantee until the amended rules take effect.
 A New Form Could Simplify Licence Services
A proposed Form 2A would allow applicants to request multiple licence-related services through a common application.
These could include licence renewal, a duplicate licence, the addition of a vehicle category and changes to personal particulars.
The draft also proposes changes to the design and format of driving licence cards, including separate formats for Indian and foreign nationals.
The cards would follow specified technical and identification requirements.
 Surrendering a Vehicle Category Could Have Lasting Effects
The proposed rules would allow licence holders to permanently surrender one or more vehicle categories on their driving licences. The surrendered categories would be deleted within seven days of receiving the application.
However, a person who permanently surrenders a category would not be eligible to obtain a learner’s licence or driving licence for that same category for one year from the date of surrender.
Motorists should therefore understand the implications before choosing this option.
Are the New Driving Licence Rules Already Applicable?
No. These changes are proposals contained in a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published the draft in the Gazette on October 21, 2026, after issuing the notification on October 16.
The government has invited public objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication.
The proposals may be considered before the final rules are notified, so motorists should not assume that the proposed fee exemptions, new test pass mark or processing deadlines are already applicable.
For now, applicants should follow the current requirements provided by their licensing authority and the official Parivahan portal.
Checking the final notification before making an application will help avoid confusion about fees, documents and eligibility.
