Maharashtra to Make Domicile Certificate Mandatory for Driving Licences From August 1

The upcoming transport overhaul combines strict residency requirements for motorists with a structural monetization and driver welfare program for commercial two-wheelers.

MUMBAI — The Maharashtra government will make a local domicile certificate strictly mandatory for any individual seeking to secure a driving licence within the state, effective August 1, 2026. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik formally announced the upcoming structural amendment to the legislative assembly during a policy review session on Tuesday.

The comprehensive draft outlining the updated licensing criteria has been forwarded to the state’s Law and Judiciary Department for structural evaluation. The administration will commence implementation immediately upon receiving final statutory clearance.

Also Read | Wayanad Debris Slip: Kerala Government Blames Construction Contractors for “Man-Made” Landslide

1. Regulating the Bike Taxi Sector

In tandem with driver licensing updates, the Ministry of Transport is finalizing a legalized, revenue-generating regulatory framework for app-based bike taxi services to curb unauthorized operations and expand youth employment.

Proposed Operator Fee & Welfare Structure:
├── Base Daily Operator Tariff ──> ₹5 paid directly to the State Treasury
└── Per-Ride Welfare Deduction ──> ₹2 routed into a dedicated Driver Welfare Fund

Safety and Background Checks

Under the upcoming Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, the government has integrated specific safety provisions prioritizing women, students, and minors. Commercial two-wheeler operators must strictly comply with the following statutory standards:

• Licensing: Possession of a valid active driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

• Identification: Display of a public service vehicle badge as mandated by the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

• Vetting: Complete mandatory police character verification before a public service badge can be issued.

Also Read | Wayanad Debris Slip: Kerala Government Blames Construction Contractors for “Man-Made” Landslide

2. Enforcement Metrics and Aggregator Compliance

The state transport mechanism has severely tightened enforcement parameters against non-compliant aggregators using private two-wheelers for passenger transit without legitimate commercial permits.

Currently, the State Transport Authority has granted highly restricted, 30-day temporary operational windows within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to major aggregators—including Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (Rapido), and ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola)—contingent upon full compliance with regional guidelines within a one-month deadline.

Crackdown Statistical Summary:

The operational data released by the Ministry reveals an intense, ongoing enforcement campaign across regional transport offices:

Minister Sarnaik reiterated that while the government continues its penal enforcement against operators flouting transport codes, the ultimate objective of the dual-pronged policy is to establish a safe, highly regulated ecosystem that protects passengers, safeguards driver welfare, and drives state revenue.

Also Read | Wayanad Debris Slip: Kerala Government Blames Construction Contractors for “Man-Made” Landslide