Mumbai, August 14: The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for taxi drivers operating electronic meters to have a working knowledge of the Marathi language. This significant decision comes as part of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Under the new regulations, all authorized drivers and permit holders of taxis equipped with electronic meters must possess a functional understanding of Marathi.
The government has amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The term ‘previous’ in Rule 4 has been updated to include ‘and working knowledge of the Marathi language.’ Additionally, the footnote of Rule 22 has been revised to state ‘Additional rules for drivers of motor cabs with electronic meters.’
The most crucial change has been made in Rule 24, which now mandates that every authorized taxi driver must have a working knowledge of Marathi.
If a driver lacks knowledge of Marathi, the licensing authority will issue a one-month notice. During this month, the driver is required to learn the language. Failure to comply within the stipulated time may lead the licensing authority to record written reasons and take action.
Initially, the driver’s driving license can be suspended for up to three months. Continued non-compliance may result in the cancellation of the driver’s authorized permit after a proper hearing.
Changes have also been made to Rules 78 and 85. According to the new provisions, a working knowledge of Marathi will now be mandatory for the renewal of taxi permits. The electronic meter taxi permit will only be renewed if the authority is satisfied with the driver’s language proficiency.
The state government states that this decision aims to facilitate communication between passengers and drivers. With a significant number of people speaking Marathi in Maharashtra, it is essential for taxi drivers to know the local language to provide better service and avoid inconveniences for passengers.
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