Maharashtra mandates Marathi proficiency for auto and taxi drivers, imposing licence penalties

Effective Aug 18, Maharashtra’s amended motor-vehicle regulations require auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to possess functional Marathi skills. Regional Transport Office (RTO) flying squads will carry out random proficiency checks; drivers lacking adequate knowledge will be served a show-cause notice that allows one month to acquire the language. If they do not comply, their driving licence will be suspended for three months, and a second violation could lead to revocation.

The state transport department has printed more than a lakh certificates for drivers who finished the language courses conducted across 58 RTOs over the past three months, and these will be handed out at simultaneous events, including a live-streamed ceremony in Thane where officials Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar will recognise participants. The deadline for completing the training was Aug 15, and officials say the rule is intended to enhance driver-passenger communication and promote Marathi in public-facing services.