Government plans colour-coded driving licences for citizens, foreign: A practical reader guide

Government plans colour-coded driving licences for citizens, foreign: A practical reader guide

The Road Transport Ministry has proposed introducing separate colour schemes for driving licences issued or renewed for Indian and foreign nationals, alongside doing away with affidavits sworn before an executive magistrate or notary as proof of age and address.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), in draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, has also proposed making it mandatory for driving licences to carry the holder’s blood group, mobile number and emergency contact numbers. The ministry also proposed accepting affidavits and life insurance policies as proof of age and address to prevent misuse. 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. Under the proposal, every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority will be in a laminated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card in Form 7.

“Every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority shall be in the form of a laminated or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) card in Form 7, and the Form shall contain separate formats for driving licences issued or renewed for Indian nationals and foreign nationals, respectively,” the draft notification said. A senior official said the proposed changes to driving licence rules are aimed at tightening assessment requirements.