Maharashtra to Mandate Domicile Certificates for Driving Licences

The Maharashtra state government has announced a significant policy change requiring applicants to provide a domicile certificate to obtain a driving licence, effective from August 1, 2026. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed the decision during the legislative assembly, emphasizing that the rule aims to streamline the application process across all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state. The proposal is currently undergoing final administrative review by the law and judiciary department to ensure full legal compliance.

Alongside the licensing change, the government is moving to regulate the rapidly growing bike taxi sector. Officials noted that the state is developing a framework to formalize these services, which includes mandates such as public service vehicle badges and mandatory police character verification for drivers. This initiative seeks to increase state revenue while providing job opportunities for the youth, with operators expected to contribute a daily fee of ₹5 per vehicle and an additional ₹2 per ride toward a driver welfare fund.

Enforcement efforts against illegal transit services have already intensified. Transport authorities reported detecting over 800 unauthorized vehicles between April 2025 and March 2026, leading to FIRs and significant fine collection. The state government remains committed to ensuring passenger safety through these stricter compliance measures. Officials believe that bringing these aggregators under a uniform legal framework will protect commuters and address security concerns associated with private two-wheelers being used for commercial passenger transport without proper authorization or documentation.