Speak Marathi or Lose Permit? Inside Maharashtra’s New RTO Rule

An initiative to check the language proficiency of thousands of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers has once again opened up a debate about jobs, justice and the extent of regional chauvinism.

The Rule That Has Drivers Worried

Thousands of commercial drivers in Maharashtra have been put in the spotlight by a New RTO Rule. The state’s transport department, effective May 1, 2026, has stipulated that all registered auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers must be able to read and write Marathi – or face suspension of their badges and permits.

The New RTO Rule in Maharashtra was announced by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik along with a state-wide verification exercise in all 59 regional and sub-regional transport offices. Officials claim a wave of complaints from passengers – especially those from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur – has shown that many drivers either do not or refuse to speak Marathi. “Everyone should know the language of the place where they live or work,” Sarnaik said, justifying the move as an implementation of existing provisions of the Maharashtra motor vehicle rules update.

What the Law Says

Underpinning the controversy is a squabble over language – not Marathi, but “working knowledge.” The current Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules require drivers of commercial vehicles to have a working knowledge of the local language. The union leaders claim this rule has always been understood as a working knowledge of the local language, required to effectively communicate on the job, not to be literate in the sense of being able to read and write.

Thampy Kurien, leader of Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union, explained that drivers already produce domicile documents, police verification certificates and a proof of “route knowledge” when applying for badges for public service vehicles. “Working knowledge means basic Marathi necessary for the job,” he said, saying that the New RTO Rule in Maharashtra, as being applied, is more stringent than the law.

Livelihoods on the Line

The Maharashtra transport department’s new rules have left a wave of fear among drivers who have earned their living for years, even decades, on the road. Many have bought their vehicles on loan, and the threat of badge cancellation not only translates to loss of livelihood but also to ongoing EMIs – with no income to service them.

An auto driver in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs captured the apprehension: he purchased an auto rickshaw on a loan from a bank, and if his badge is cancelled under the auto rickshaw license Maharashtra rules, he will be “jobless and hopeless”. Other drivers throughout the city share these concerns, fearing the verification campaign could be an opportunity for corruption, with police given unchecked discretion to determine who is Marathi literate and who isn’t.

The Mumbai Taxi Association’s DA Salian also bemoans the cab driver eligibility Maharashtra upheaval: “The minister cannot implement such a rule or campaign across the state for all drivers who are already in the profession and earning a livelihood; families depend on them.”

Government Pushes Back

In response to the criticism, the state government has stood by the New RTO Rule in Maharashtra, saying it is not new and not unreasonable. Sarnaik reiterated that the RTO permit rules in Maharashtra have always required the licensee to know the local language and that the compliance drive is simply a long-awaited crackdown, rather than a new rule.

The state government also issued a warning to transport office officials against improper issuance of licences, implying that the RTO crackdown on Maharashtra permits will also have an internal dimension. The state’s case is that Marathi compulsory for drivers in Maharashtra is both a gesture of respect and a measure for passenger safety, especially tourists and the elderly who may not understand Hindi or English.

A Policy With National Implications

India is observing the driver language policy in Maharashtra. It is the first regional language regulation that pushes India to ask some fundamental questions: Are states allowed to demand linguistic competence as a prerequisite to obtaining a commercial driver’s license? And where does Maharashtra transport policy 2026 stop, and where does exclusion start?

Trade union leaders have vowed to take the rule to court, claiming that the Maharashtra auto taxi registration rules, as they are being applied currently, exceed the meaning of the law. Legal experts point out that although states have extensive powers to regulate public transport driver regulations in Maharashtra, such rules can’t be applied retrospectively to disproportionately punish those already having permits.

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What Happens Next

The new state transport regulation in Maharashtra will take effect over the next few weeks in 59 transport offices. The success of the verification drive (or its stalling by courts due to union challenges) will decide whether thousands of drivers lose their livelihoods, and establish a precedent for driver compliance rules in Maharashtra in the years ahead.

In the meantime, Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur roads remain on edge. Driver hands will grip steering wheels just a little closer, wondering if their next complaint from a passenger would lead to a probe, and whether their years of experience would get them a reprieve from the tough New RTO Rule in Maharashtra.