Drivers operating bike taxis in Maharashtra will need to have a domicile certificate starting on August 1.
In the Legislative Assembly, the problem of unauthorized bike taxis was brought up. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that steps will be taken to ensure safe travel after lawmakers made grave accusations of drunk driving against app-based bike taxi drivers.
In response to a question posed by MLA Dilip Lande during Question Hour, Sarnaik stated that the government was working on a regulatory framework to legalize and regulate the industry, create jobs for young people, and generate state revenue while also taking action against unlicensed bike taxi services.
According to news agency PTI, the proposed regulation would make bike taxi operators to pay a daily charge of Rs 5 to the government, with an extra Rs 2 from each ride going toward a driver welfare fund.
Drivers who break traffic laws or operate cars unlawfully will continue to face severe consequences, according to Sarnaik.
According to Sarnaik, bike taxi drivers must possess a public service vehicle badge in accordance with the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and a current driver’s license under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Prior to the badge being granted, a police character verification will also be required.
“Private two-wheelers cannot be used for passenger transportation without permission, according to regulations. However, aggregator companies Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (Rapido), and ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola) were given 30-day temporary licenses by the State Transport Authority to operate in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, provided they complied with all requirements within a month, according to Sarnaik.
“Between April 2025 and March 2026, transport authorities detected 814 vehicles operating without valid permits, seized 151 vehicles, registered 14 FIRs, and recovered fines amounting to Rs 16.25 lakh,” Sarnaik further stated.
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