Marathi made mandatory for Maharashtra cab, auto drivers

The Maharashtra government has made working knowledge of Marathi mandatory for cab and autorickshaw drivers, with non-compliance potentially leading to suspension or revocation of their driving licence authorisation.

The state transport department issued a notification bringing into force the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The final notification was shared by the office of transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday, 13 August.

Under the amended rules, drivers of motor cabs fitted with electronic meters must have a "working knowledge of Marathi language". The requirement also applies to permit holders and those seeking renewal of permits for such cabs.

If a licensing authority finds that a driver does not meet the requirement, it must issue a notice giving them one month to acquire the requisite knowledge. Failure to comply can result in suspension of the authorisation on their driving licence for up to three months, after the authority records its reasons in writing.

Continued non-compliance can lead to revocation of the authorisation. The driver must, however, be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before such action is taken.

The amendment also inserts the words "and working knowledge of Marathi language" after "antecedents" in Rule 4(4) of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Under amended Rule 78, permit holders must also have working knowledge of Marathi.

Sarnaik had earlier said the government would not extend the 15 August deadline for non-Marathi-speaking taxi and autorickshaw drivers to learn the language.

"Marathi is the language of Maharashtra, and drivers providing public transport services here should have basic functional knowledge of the language. We have given them sufficient time to learn Marathi. From 15 August, functional Marathi will be mandatory for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers in Maharashtra," Sarnaik had told PTI Videos.

He said deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde would present certificates on 17 August to hundreds of autorickshaw drivers who had completed a government-organised Marathi training course.

"Working knowledge of the local language is necessary to communicate with passengers, understand what they have to say and ensure safe and convenient travel. This will enable more effective implementation of these rules in the future," Sarnaik said.

The move has drawn mixed reactions from political parties. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut backed the requirement, saying drivers should learn the local language.

"Wherever you go, it is necessary to learn the local language. You can do your business well if you know Marathi. We haven't asked you to leave. But learn the language," Raut said.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, however, said while knowing the local language was important, it should not be imposed. "It is important to know the language of the state in which you are driving your vehicle. But at the same time, it shouldn't be forced on them," he told reporters in Nagpur.

"There is no need to stretch the issue. The government should not create a controversy over the issue of language. Marathi should be learned. That is fine. But when we talk about Marathi pride, many leaders in Maharashtra have admitted their children in English medium schools. So the issue should not be used for political mileage," he said.

"Learning language becomes an asset, it helps you...Learning Marathi is not wrong, but making it binding on someone and imposing it as an obligation is wrong," Wadettiwar added.

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi criticised the move, calling it a "great injustice" and alleging that it was politically motivated. The Mumbai legislator suggested a gradual approach, saying drivers should be given one to three years to learn Marathi. He also said he had spoken to the chief minister about the issue.

With PTI inputs