India, Aug. 15 -- Autorickshaw and taxi drivers who fail to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi during checks starting August 18 will be given a month to learn the language and appear for a short test before their licences are suspended, according to officials from the state transport department.

The move effectively grants drivers of passenger transport vehicles a one-month extension to acquire the required proficiency in Marathi. Drivers who fail the language test even after the extension period would face a three-month suspension of their driving licence, followed by cancellation for a repeat violation, officials said.

RTO officials will begin the language checks from August 18, as planned. "We will be issuing notices to all t...