Practical Marathi made mandatory for commercial drivers in Maharashtra; licenses face suspension for non-compliance
Mumbai, August 12
Practical knowledge of the Marathi language has been made mandatory for all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra, including those operating app-based cabs, with the state government warning of strict penalties for non-compliance.
The new directive, announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday, has been formalized through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which introduce more explicit language requirements into the existing 1989 framework.
Under the amended rules, drivers who fail to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi could face a three-month suspension of their driving license authorization. Repeated violations may lead to the permanent cancellation of their permits.
"These amendments remove ambiguity in the rules and make the importance of practical Marathi for passenger-vehicle drivers clearer. Practical knowledge of the local language is necessary to communicate with passengers, understand their concerns, and ensure a safe and convenient journey," Minister Sarnaik said.
The amendments specifically target drivers and permit holders of auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based motor cabs equipped with electronic meters.
In a significant change to Rule 4 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the state has inserted "working knowledge of Marathi language" as a prerequisite for any person applying for commercial driving authorization. Furthermore, a new provision under Rule 22 introduces specific mandates for authorized drivers of app-based cabs, requiring them to possess practical language skills.
The mandate for Marathi proficiency is not limited to those behind the wheel but also extends to permit holders. According to the amended Rule 78 and Rule 85, the concerned permit holder must possess practical knowledge of the language.
The state government clarified that these changes are amendments to the "Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989," and not a new legislative act. The move follows several complaints regarding non-Marathi-speaking drivers taking advantage of previous legal ambiguities to avoid compliance.
The Transport Minister emphasized that the level of Marathi proficiency must be considered "satisfactory" by the concerned licensing authorities to ensure effective communication between the driver and the public.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting move, but isn't this a bit discriminatory against drivers from other states? Many drivers come from UP, Bihar, and other places to earn a living in Mumbai. Requiring them to learn Marathi might be a barrier to their livelihood. I understand the need for communication, but shouldn't there be a grace period or some training support provided by the government?
Good step by the Maharashtra government. We are in Maharashtra, and Marathi is our mother tongue. If you go to Karnataka, they expect you to speak Kannada; in Tamil Nadu, it's Tamil. Why should we be any different? Basic communication is not too much to ask. It's about respect for the local culture and ensuring passenger safety.
Honestly, I'm a Maharashtrian and I support this, but I also worry about the implementation. Will they now start troubling drivers who don't speak fluent Marathi but can manage basic communication? The rules say "practical knowledge" and "satisfactory" level, which is vague. Hope the authorities don't misuse this for harassment and bribes. 😕
As someone who lives in Mumbai now, I think this makes sense. But what about tourists and non-Marathi speakers? If a driver only knows Marathi, how will they communicate with the many Hindi or English speaking passengers? Maybe the requirement should be for both Hindi and Marathi, or just a basic standard that includes sign language or tech translators.
I think it's fair. I recently took a cab from the airport and the driver couldn't even understand "Left lo jao" or "Right lo jao" in Hindi! How are we
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