India proposes higher driving test score and free online licence services via Aadhaar

In a draft notification released late Wednesday, the Road Transport Ministry seeks to tighten driver-testing standards by raising the safe-driving tutorial pass mark from 60% to 75% and mandating a minimum 30-minute session. The proposal also eliminates fees for a range of licence-related services when applicants use Aadhaar for online authentication, though charges would remain for alterations to personal details such as name or address.

The rules would set a 15-day window for licensing authorities to approve or reject change requests, with unattended applications deemed approved after 30 days. Accepted identity and residence proofs would include Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, educational certificates, birth certificates, and recent utility bills. A single online form would consolidate renewals, duplicate issuances, vehicle-class additions and personal-detail changes, pulling data from the SARATHI portal where possible. The draft invites stakeholder objections for 30 days before final notification.