The Maharashtra government has announced that all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the State will have to know Marathi from May 1. Drivers will be tested on their ability to read, write, and speak the language. Those who fail may face cancellation of their licences.
The rule will come into effect on Maharashtra Day, officials said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026). Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said a campaign will be carried out through the Motor Transport Department’s 59 offices across the State to check drivers.
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According to Mr. Sarnaik, knowledge of the local language has been a requirement for issuing licences. However, the Transport Department has received complaints, particularly from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur, that many drivers are unable or unwilling to speak in Marathi with passengers.
Officials said the test will assess whether a driver can read a signboard or document in Marathi, write a basic sentence, and hold a simple conversation in the language.
