Colour-coded driving licences: draft CMVR amendments for Indian and foreign nationals explained
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The Road Transport Ministry has proposed draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, reported on 23 October 2026, under which driving licences for Indian and foreign nationals will have separate colour formats. Licences would also have to show the holder’s blood group, mobile number and emergency contact, the safe-driving tutorial pass mark would rise from 60% to 75%, and changes to name or address would be decided within 15 days at no charge. Stakeholders have 30 days to object.
- Rules
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules
- Card
- PVC, Form 7
- Pass mark
- 60% → 75%
- Comments
- 30 days
Driving licence draft: what happened?
A driving licence is often the first ID a young adult gets. These draft rules try to make it safer on the road and simpler at the counter.
- 23 Oct 2026: MoRTH’s draft amendments propose separate formats (colour schemes) in Form 7 for licences issued to Indian and foreign nationals.
- Licences must carry blood group, mobile number and emergency contact numbers.
- Safe-driving tutorial: at least 30 minutes, with the qualifying mark raised from 60% to 75%.
- Requests to change name or address must be decided within 15 days, with reasons for rejection, and without fees; some online services done through Aadhaar authentication get a fee waiver.
How are driving licences governed?
- The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is the parent law; the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 lay down forms and procedures.
- State transport departments and RTOs issue licences; the Sarathi portal runs the online system.
- The MV (Amendment) Act, 2019 raised penalties and allowed accredited driver training centres.
- Accepted proofs include Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, e-ration card and birth certificate.
What changes under the draft?
| Item | Now | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| Licence format | Single format | Separate formats for Indian and foreign nationals |
| Card details | Basic details | Blood group, mobile, emergency contacts |
| Tutorial pass mark | 60% | 75%, minimum 30 minutes |
| Change of details | Varies, with fee | Within 15 days, no fee |
What is the constitutional and legal angle?
- ‘Mechanically propelled vehicles’ is Entry 35 of the Concurrent List, so both Centre and States legislate.
- Section 27 of the MV Act lets the Centre make rules on licences.
- Draft rules are published for public comment before final notification.
- Article 21 has been read to include safe roads in several Supreme Court rulings on road safety.
What are the challenges?
- Showing mobile numbers on cards raises privacy concerns.
- A higher pass mark is of little use if tests stay weak in practice.
- RTOs may struggle to meet the 15-day limit.
- Foreign nationals’ licences need clear links with visa validity.
What should be done?
- Protect personal data on cards under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Use automated driving test tracks to make tests real.
- Track the 15-day timeline on the Sarathi dashboard.
- Pair licensing reform with road engineering and enforcement.
What can Prelims ask on motor vehicle rules?
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
- Entry 35, Concurrent List: mechanically propelled vehicles.
- MV (Amendment) Act, 2019: higher penalties, Good Samaritan protection.
- Driving licence card format: Form 7.
- Sarathi (licences) and Vahan (vehicle registration) portals.
How to write about road safety governance in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Licensing reform is necessary but not sufficient for road safety in India. Discuss. (GS-II)
- Intro: draft CMVR amendments, Oct 2026.
- Changes: formats, emergency details, tougher tutorial, 15-day service.
- Benefits: faster emergency help, better drivers, ease of living.
- Limits: privacy, weak testing, enforcement.
- Conclusion: 4Es: education, engineering, enforcement, emergency care.
Image: Applicants waiting for driving licence tests at the RTO office, Valliyur, Tamil Nadu. arunpnair_787, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
How to use this in Mains
If asked: Discuss how service delivery reforms can improve ease of living. (GS-II)
Quote: “Under the proposal, licensing authorities would have to approve or reject applications to change driving licence particulars, including name and address, within 15 days, with reasons for rejection.”
Use it: Use it as an example of a time-bound service guarantee.
If asked: Examine the role of driver training in road safety. (GS-II)
Quote: “A senior official said the proposed changes to driving licence rules are aimed at tightening assessment requirements.”
Use it: Quote it, then add testing and enforcement points.
Exam angle
Prelims: MV Act 1988, CMVR 1989, Entry 35 Concurrent List, Form 7. · Mains GS-II: governance and road safety.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
‘Mechanically propelled vehicles’ is a subject in which list of the Seventh Schedule?
Answer (c) & explanation
It is Entry 35 of the Concurrent List.
Consider the following statements about the draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (October 2026):
1. Separate licence formats are proposed for Indian and foreign nationals.
2. The safe-driving tutorial pass mark is to be raised to 75%.
3. Licences will no longer carry the holder’s blood group.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
The draft makes blood group, mobile and emergency contacts mandatory on licences.
The Sarathi portal of the Road Transport Ministry is used for
Answer (b) & explanation
Sarathi handles driving licence services; Vahan handles vehicle registration.
Questions students ask about this
What are colour-coded licences?
Separate licence formats in Form 7 for Indian and foreign nationals.
What new details will licences carry?
Blood group, mobile number and emergency contact numbers.
What changes for the driving tutorial?
At least 30 minutes, and a 75% pass mark instead of 60%.
Is this final?
No. It is a draft; objections are invited within 30 days.
Keep studying
Go deeper
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending