MUMBAI: In a significant tightening of its Marathi language mandate for commercial passenger transport drivers, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing stringent penalties, including suspension of driving authorisations for up to three months and cancellation of licences or badges for repeat violations.The amendments make it mandatory for drivers of passenger-carrying commercial vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based cabs fitted with electronic meters, to possess a working knowledge of Marathi. The requirement has also been extended to permit holders, reinforcing the state’s push to ensure Marathi proficiency across the commercial passenger transport sector ahead of the August 15 compliance deadline.The most consequential change lies in enforcement. Under the newly inserted Rule 22(3A), authorised drivers of app-based motor cabs must demonstrate practical knowledge of Marathi. If a driver is found lacking the prescribed proficiency, the licensing authority can initiate action after recording the reasons in writing.Under the revised rules, authorities are empowered to suspend the relevant authorisation on a driver’s licence for up to three months. Continued non-compliance or repeat violations after the suspension period could lead to cancellation of the authorisation altogether, effectively preventing the individual from operating commercial passenger vehicles under that licence category.The amendments also strengthen Marathi language requirements at the entry stage. Rule 4 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, has been revised to make a working knowledge of Marathi a mandatory qualification for applicants seeking the relevant driving authorisation.The obligation goes beyond drivers. Amendments to Rule 78 require permit holders to possess practical knowledge of Marathi, while Rule 85 makes Marathi proficiency a prerequisite for renewal of permits issued to app-based motor cabs equipped with electronic meters. The notification states that the level of proficiency must be satisfactory to the competent authority.Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the amendments were intended to remove ambiguities in the existing framework that had allegedly allowed some drivers to evade compliance with the language requirement.Meanwhile, more than 1.1 lakh non-Marathi-speaking auto and taxi drivers across Maharashtra have completed functional Marathi language training so far. Marathi Commission chairman Ravi Gaikwad said the transport department has urged the remaining commercial passenger vehicle drivers to complete the programme before August 15.“RTO squads will identify drivers who are unable to speak basic Marathi and penalise them from August 17,” Gaikwad said.Drivers who have enrolled in and completed the basic Marathi course will be felicitated at a function at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane on August 17. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant are expected to attend.Thousands of non-Marathi-speaking drivers who have successfully completed the course will receive certificates from the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
