Marathi knowledge mandatory for taxi, autorickshaw drivers in MaharashtraMaharashtra will make functional Marathi knowledge mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers. Under the amended regulations, drivers without practical speaking skills or working knowledge of Marathi will first receive a one-month notice. “The law itself dates back to 1989 and specifies that to do business in Maharashtra, knowing Marathi is mandatory. Clause (d) has been inserted following Clause (c) in sub-rule (2) of Rule 78, making functional knowledge of Marathi mandatory for permit holders as well. The Transport Department emphasised that these updates represent amended rules — titled the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026 — rather than a new primary statute (Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Act 2026).