Mumbai, Aug. 13 -- Starting August 18, the driving licences of autorickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers who do not have a working knowledge of Marathi can be suspended for up to three months, while repeated violations could lead to cancellation of their licences. The state transport department on Wednesday amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to provide for action against drivers who do not meet the Marathi-language requirement. State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said that drivers of passenger transport vehicles would need to possess a working knowledge of Marathi to ensure effective communication with commuters. "Driving licences can be suspended for up to three months for lack of Marathi knowledge; repeated violations can lead to permanent cancellation," he said. The minister has directed the transport department to ensure more effective implementation of the law. "These amendments will remove ambiguity in the rules and make the importance of working knowledge of Marathi for passenger transport drivers clearer. Knowledge of the local language is necessary to communicate with passengers, understand their concerns and ensure safe and convenient travel," Sarnaik added. Transport department officials said they had received complaints that some non-Marathi-speaking drivers were circumventing the requirement to know Marathi by exploiting ambiguities or shortcomings in the existing rules. The amended provisions are expected to enable the effective implementation of these rules in the future, officials added. According to a government notification, several important changes have been made to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The amendments specifically clarify the requirement of practical Marathi for drivers and permit holders of autorickshaws, taxis and app-based motor cabs fitted with electronic meters. Officials said that under Rule 4(4) of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the words "and working knowledge of Marathi language" have been inserted after the word "antecedents". This means that a person applying for the relevant authorisation must possess working or practical knowledge of Marathi in addition to the prescribed qualifications. "If an authorised driver is found not to possess the required knowledge of Marathi, the licensing authority has been empowered to take action for non-compliance after recording reasons in writing," said an official from the regional transport office (RTO). RTOs across the state will begin taking action against drivers during widespread inspections and checks from August 18, the official added. Meanwhile, long queues were seen at the Tardeo RTO on Wednesday, with auto and taxi drivers waiting to give a Marathi proficiency test. Some drivers said they had been waiting for hours for their turn. Bhola Singh, a 53-year-old driver from Wadala, said, "I have been waiting here since 9.30 am. Now, it's 6.30 pm, and I am still here. I'm born and brought up here, and I can read, write and speak Marathi with ease." Ajay Tiwari, 46, from Virar, said, "My family and I have been residing in Mumbai for years now. I have studied in a BMC school and can read and write Marathi well, yet I have been asked to take this test." The transport department had earlier set August 15 as the deadline for drivers to meet the Marathi-language requirement. Since the state announced the policy in April, transport unions, RTOs and political organisations have organised Marathi training sessions and assessments for drivers across Mumbai....