Gadkari plans graded driving licence points: Traffic violations could cut points, repeat offenders may lose licences while good drivers could get rewards

Soon every traffic offence you commit will show negatively on your driving licence. The government is working on a graded points-based system for driving licences, Union minister for Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said, under which repeated traffic violations could eventually lead to a licence being suspended or cancelled.

Gadkari said plans were also underway to set up 1,600 driving training centres across the country. So far, 24 centres are operational and another 112 are in the pipeline, while around 10 lakh drivers have already received training.

Graded points system for driving licence soon

The framework is intended to distinguish between motorists who maintain a responsible driving record and those who repeatedly violate traffic rules.

“My ministry is planning to introduce graded point system in driving licences and vehicle registration certificate,” Gadkari said at the 66th SIAM Annual Convention 2026 recently.

The proposed system would assign penalty points to motorists for different traffic offences. If a driver accumulates points beyond a specified limit, the authorities could suspend the driving licence or cancel it altogether.

“Every offense will cut points on the driving licence. And after a particular limit, the licence will get suspended or even cancelled,” the minister said.

Drivers with a good record could be eligible for incentives, including possible benefits from insurance companies, while habitual offenders would face tougher consequences.

“This is exactly the people who have good points, they will get incentives from insurance or companies or whatever benefits will be there. But those who are habitually making mistakes, the penalty is there. That is the principle behind this policy,” Gadkari said.

According to the Union minister, improving driving behaviour will be crucial to addressing India’s road safety concerns, particularly in view of the country’s high number of road accidents.

“Driver behaviour is a big problem. We are now doing a lot of things for that,” he said.

Gadkari also stressed that motorists who repeatedly break traffic rules need to be held accountable, rather than being allowed to continue dangerous driving without facing consequences.

“We are actually the person who is making constant mistakes and we are learning it. That will not be appropriate. Somewhere, we have to challenge the people where this misdeed is responsible for the consequences,” he said. (Agencies)