The Maharashtra government has announced a sweeping policy shift to bring transparency to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) system and aggressively regulate commercial transport networks. Starting August 1, 2026, a mandatory 'Domicile Certificate' (Residence Certificate) will be required to obtain a driving license or secure a commercial vehicle permit across the state.State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced this critical legislative update during the ongoing monsoon session of the assembly, confirming that the draft proposal has been forwarded to the Law and Judiciary Department for immediate structural vetting.Clampdown on Illegal Operators Safeguards Women and StudentsThe policy update arrived in response to a critical query raised by Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande during the Assembly's Question Hour. MLA Lande voiced growing public safety concerns about unregulated, app-based illegal transportation businesses operating without localised accountability or authentic documentation, posing clear security risks to daily commuters, women, and students.Addressing the house, Transport Minister Sarnaik clarified that operators coming from other states to establish unauthorised transit setups in Maharashtra will face strict action. Going forward, the state will prioritise residents by linking the issuance of commercial logistics and ride-hailing permits directly to a valid Maharashtra domicile status.Strict Enforcement Actions Yield Substantial RTO PenaltiesThe incoming framework addresses an ongoing structural challenge. RTO enforcement databases show that between April 2025 and May 2026, transport authorities cracked down on more than 1,000 non-compliant vehicles running without proper state authorisation.The enforcement sweeps resulted in the immediate seizure of over 200 illegal commercial vehicles, the registration of 14 First Information Reports (FIRs), and the recovery of more than ₹18.5 lakh in strict fines. By integrating the state's 15-year residence database with the central licensing portal, checking fraudulent registrations and tracking violations will become entirely automated.New Legal Framework Standardises App-Based Bike TaxisIn a major structural shift, the new transport code will formally legalise and regulate app-based bike taxis, bringing roughly 4.5 lakh unauthorised riders under state supervision. The formalised aggregator framework mandates specific structural rules for app-based operators:State Operational Fee: Aggregators must pay a fixed statutory fee of ₹5 per ride to the state government.Driver Welfare Fund Contribution: A mandatory ₹2 contribution from each booked ride will be channelled directly into a social security fund for driver welfare.Safety Credentials & PSV Badges: All commercial riders must hold a valid driver's license and a mandatory Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Badge, which requires prior clearance through a police character verification.
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