12 August,2026 12:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pratap Sarnaik. Pic/X
Drivers of commercial passenger vehicles operating in Maharashtra will be required to have a working knowledge of Marathi under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The requirement covers drivers and permit holders associated with rickshaws, taxis and app-based motor cabs fitted with electronic meters.
The amended rules provide licensing authorities with specific provisions to take action against drivers who fail to meet the language requirement. Depending on the circumstances and continued non-compliance, the authorisation linked to a driver's licence can be suspended for up to three months and subsequently cancelled.
The Maharashtra government has amended sub-rule (4) of Rule 4 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, by inserting the words "and working knowledge of Marathi language" after the word "antecedents".
The change means applicants seeking the relevant authorisation must demonstrate working or practical knowledge of Marathi in addition to meeting other prescribed qualifications.
The provision applies to drivers who operate passenger vehicles and interact directly with commuters as part of their work. The government has said the amendment is intended to remove ambiguity in the existing rules and provide a clearer basis for enforcing the requirement.
The amendments also introduce a specific provision under Rule 22 for authorised drivers of app-based motor cabs fitted with electronic meters.
Under the newly inserted Rule 22(3A), such drivers must have a working knowledge of Marathi. If a licensing authority finds that a driver does not meet the requirement, it can initiate action after recording the reasons for non-compliance in writing.
The authorisation on the driver's driving licence can be suspended for a period of up to three months. If the driver continues to violate the requirement after the suspension, the authorisation can subsequently be cancelled.
The provision gives licensing authorities a defined procedure for dealing with cases where drivers are found to be non-compliant.
Language requirement also applies to permit holders
The amendments extend the requirement beyond drivers to certain permit holders as well.
A new clause added to sub-rule (2) of Rule 78 requires the concerned permit holder to have a working knowledge of Marathi.
Another amendment under Rule 85 deals with the renewal of permits for app-based motor cabs fitted with electronic meters. During the renewal process, the permit holder must demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi at a level considered satisfactory by the concerned authority.
The provisions therefore apply at both the driver and permit-holder levels for the categories of passenger transport services covered by the amended rules.
The government has clarified that the changes should not be referred to as the "Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Act-2026". The official notification is titled the "Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026".
The amendments have been made to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
According to the government, complaints had previously been received about some drivers avoiding the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of Marathi by citing ambiguities in the existing rules. The legal aspects of the requirement had also been considered at the judicial level.
The latest amendments are intended to make the rules more specific and give licensing authorities clearer provisions for assessing compliance and taking action when violations are found.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the amendments would make the language requirement clearer and help passenger vehicle drivers communicate with commuters using their services.
"Through these amendments, the ambiguity in the rules has been removed and the importance of practical Marathi for drivers engaged in passenger transport has been made clearer. Practical knowledge of the local language is necessary to communicate with passengers, understand their concerns and ensure a safe and convenient journey. Therefore, it will be possible to implement these rules more effectively in the future," Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said.
The amended rules consequently make working knowledge of Marathi a specific compliance requirement for the relevant passenger vehicle drivers and permit holders. They also establish consequences for continued non-compliance, including suspension and possible cancellation of the relevant driving licence authorisation.
