New Delhi: A major relief could be on the horizon for millions of driving licence holders across India, as the government is considering a proposal to increase the validity period of driving licences from the current 20 years to 50 years, potentially reducing the need for frequent renewals.

Officials in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that several proposals are under consideration, with extending licence validity being one of them. However, no final decision has been taken so far. Under the existing system, a driving licence remains valid for 20 years, after which the holder must apply for renewal and submit required documents, including a health certificate in certain cases.

The proposal has raised concerns among some state governments over a possible loss of revenue due to fewer renewals, but officials indicated that states are unlikely to suffer significant revenue loss. Fees related to obtaining or renewing licences can continue to be collected through online platforms, ensuring revenue streams remain unaffected.

Apart from driving licences, the government is also working to make processes such as vehicle ownership transfers and permit renewals completely online. Officials said once a system is in place to assign negative points for traffic violations and link them to suspension or cancellation of licences, errant drivers can be effectively regulated. The ministry has not announced any timeline for implementation.

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