Maharashtra to Require Domicile Certificate for Driving Licences

The Maharashtra government has announced that residents will need to present a domicile certificate when applying for a driving licence starting on 1 August 2026. This new requirement was disclosed by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik during a session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly. The initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline the licensing process in the state.

Minister Sarnaik confirmed that the draft regulations have been submitted to the Law and Judiciary Department, and implementation will occur after the necessary approvals are secured. The domicile certificate requirement aims to improve the identification process for driving licence applicants.

In addition to the new driving licence regulations, the minister addressed the issue of unregulated bike taxi services operating within Maharashtra. Sarnaik stated that enforcement teams continue to act against unauthorised operators while drafting a regulatory framework that aims to legalise this sector. He explained that the proposed rules are designed to generate revenue, create employment opportunities for youth, and bring systematic oversight to urban transport.

Under the new framework, bike taxi operators will be required to pay a daily fee of ₹5, with an additional ₹2 collected from each ride to contribute to a welfare fund for drivers. The transport minister emphasised that existing regulations prohibit the use of private motorcycles for passenger transport without official authorisation.

A temporary operating licence for 30 days has been granted to selected aggregator companies, including Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, Rapido, and ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola), under strict compliance requirements. These licences are subject to renewal based on adherence to the specified conditions.

The Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, are set to feature protections specifically aimed at ensuring the safety of women, students, and minors using these services. According to the minister, drivers involved in this scheme will need to comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and must also hold a public service vehicle badge. A police character verification is mandatory before such badges can be issued.

Sarnaik affirmed the government's commitment to strict regulation and enforcement against traffic violations, stating that operations against illegal bike taxis are ongoing. He provided data reflecting significant actions taken against non-compliant vehicles: between April 2025 and March 2026, transport authorities recorded 814 vehicles operating without valid permits, resulting in 151 seizures and fines amounting to ₹16.25 lakh. A more recent report summarising actions taken in April and May 2026 indicated that authorities acted against 211 vehicles, confiscating 66 and collecting fines of ₹2.31 lakh.

As the Maharashtra government advances these initiatives, stakeholders in the transport sector are preparing for the implications of both the domicile certificate requirement for driving licences and the forthcoming regulations for bike taxi services.