Maharashtra to Make Domicile Certificate Mandatory for Driving Licence from August 1
Maharashtra to Make Domicile Certificate Mandatory for Driving Licence from August 1
Pune: The Maharashtra government is set to introduce a major change in the driving licence application process by making a domicile certificate mandatory for all new applicants from August 1. The proposal, aimed at streamlining the licensing system, has been sent to the Law and Judiciary Department for approval and will be implemented once it receives legal clearance.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the move while also outlining the state’s broader transport reforms, including new regulations for bike taxi services.
As part of the proposed Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, the government plans to bring bike taxi operations under a formal legal framework. The initiative is intended to improve passenger safety, regulate the sector, generate state revenue, and create employment opportunities for youth.
Under the draft policy, bike taxi operators will be required to pay a daily government fee of ₹5, while an additional ₹2 from every ride will be contributed to a welfare fund for drivers.
The proposed rules also introduce several safety measures. Special provisions have been included to protect women, students, and minor passengers using bike taxi services.
To operate legally, bike taxi drivers must possess a valid driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, obtain a public service vehicle badge under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and complete a mandatory police character verification before receiving the badge.
The minister reiterated that private two-wheelers cannot be used for passenger transport without official authorisation. However, the State Transport Authority has issued 30-day temporary licences to ride-hailing companies Uber, Rapido, and Ola to operate bike taxi services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, provided they comply with all prescribed conditions within one month.
Sarnaik also said enforcement against illegal bike taxi services has been intensified across Maharashtra. Between April 2025 and March 2026, authorities detected 814 vehicles operating without valid permits, seized 151 vehicles, registered 14 FIRs, and collected ₹16.25 lakh in fines.
According to the government, the proposed reforms are designed to establish a transparent and regulated bike taxi ecosystem while strengthening road safety, ensuring driver accountability, increasing government revenue, and expanding employment opportunities across the state.
