Government plans colour-coded driving licences

• Centre proposes colour-coded licences for Indians and foreigners
• Pass mark for safe-driving tutorial to rise from 60 to 75 per cent
• Online address changes could be free with Aadhaar authentication

The Centre has proposed colour-coded driving licences that separate Indian and foreign nationals, a higher 75 percent pass mark for the safe-driving tutorial

and free online address changes, but these are draft rules, so nothing changes at your RTO yet. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules on October 16, and public objections are open for 30 days from publication. Here is what would change for new applicants and existing licence holders, which proposals could affect you and what is still unclear today.

Colour-coded Cards

Licences would be issued as laminated or PVC cards in Form 7, with separate formats for Indian and foreign nationals. The two formats would use different background colours, and the holder’s nationality would be printed on the card. The aim is to let anyone tell the two types apart at a glance.

A Tougher Safe-driving Tutorial

The tutorial would have to run for at least 30 minutes and the pass mark in its assessment would rise from 60 to 75 percent. In practical terms, a candidate who scores 70 percent passes today and would fail under the proposal. If you are preparing for a learner’s licence, it makes sense to revise the road signs and rules properly before you take the test.

Easier Changes to Your Details

Changes to your name, address and contact details could be free if you apply online with Aadhaar authentication. Licensing authorities would have to approve or reject an application within 15 days and give reasons if they reject it. For address changes, an application left undecided for 30 days would be treated as approved. If you apply, keep your acknowledgement receipt, since it would be your proof of the filing date.

Proof of Age, Address and Identity

Affidavits sworn before a notary or executive magistrate would no longer be accepted as proof of age or address because of the risk of misuse. The draft lists specific documents instead:

• Address: Aadhaar, EPIC (voter ID) or an e-ration card.
• Age: passport or school board mark sheets.
• Identity: Aadhaar or passport.

What is Still Unclear

Several points are not settled. There is no effective date, the colours have not been named, and it is unclear whether the fee waiver covers every service. These are proposals, and the final rules could differ after objections are heard. Until the government notifies the final rules, the current fees and procedures apply, so be careful with anyone who claims the new rules are already in force.