The central government is considering several changes to India’s driving licence rules in 2026. A report outlining the proposed amendments covers learner’s licence examinations, corrections to personal details, online services and related charges. If approved, these changes could make several licence-related procedures simpler and reduce the cost of updating personal information.
The proposed reforms also aim to establish clearer timelines for processing applications and introduce additional information on driving licences. Here is a closer look at the major changes included in the proposal and how they could affect applicants and existing licence holders.
New Driving Licence Rules 2026: What Changes Are Proposed?
The proposed amendments cover multiple aspects of the driving licence application and renewal process. These include stricter qualifying requirements for learner’s licence tests, easier correction of names and addresses, and fixed timelines for completing applications.
The report also includes proposed changes to licensing procedures for Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals. The overall objective is to improve the application process and make online licence-related services more convenient.
Learner’s Licence Test: 75% Marks Required to Pass
One of the major proposed changes concerns the online learner’s licence examination. Under the suggested rules, applicants would need to answer at least 75% of the questions correctly to qualify for the test.
At present, the passing requirement is understood to be 60%. The proposal also includes a compulsory 30-minute driving tutorial that applicants would have to complete before appearing for the examination.
After completing the required process, applicants may have to wait up to 15 days for their learner’s licence to be issued.
Name and Address Changes May Become Free
Another important proposal relates to the charges for updating personal information on driving licences. Under the suggested changes, applicants may no longer have to pay fees for correcting or changing their names and addresses.
Currently, these updates reportedly involve a fee of ₹200. The proposed amendments would also make changes to registered mobile numbers and email addresses free of charge.
This move is aimed at making it easier for licence holders to keep their personal information updated without paying additional service fees.
15-Day Deadline for Updating Personal Details
The proposed rules also seek to introduce a fixed timeline for processing requests related to changes in names and addresses.
Under the proposal, such applications would need to be processed within 15 days. This is intended to prevent requests from remaining pending for long periods.
In addition, if an application is rejected, the concerned applicant would have to receive written information explaining the rejection.
New Details May Be Added to Driving Licences
The proposed amendments also include provisions for adding more useful information to driving licences. This could allow important details about drivers to be accessed from a single document.
The additional information may include QR code details, emergency contact numbers, organ donor status, allergy information and details of existing medical conditions.
These proposed additions are intended to make driving licences more informative and provide relevant details that may be useful to drivers and concerned authorities.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reported proposals concerning changes to driving licence rules in 2026. The suggested amendments should not be treated as implemented regulations unless officially approved and notified by the government. Applicants and licence holders should check announcements from the relevant transport authorities for confirmed rules, fees and procedures.