Driver Badge Requirement: What You Need to Know
In a significant step towards easing compliance and promoting uniformity in commercial driving regulations, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that drivers of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) do not need a separate transport badge to operate commercial vehicles under a certain weight limit.
What Changed?
As per the Supreme Court’s judgment in Mukund Dewangan vs Oriental Insurance Company (2017), and in accordance with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) directive dated April 16, 2018, the following key updates were made:
- Any driver holding a valid LMV license (as defined under Section 2(21) of the Motor Vehicles Act) is authorised to drive commercial transport vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) not exceeding 7,500 kg.
- There is no need for a separate badge or endorsement on the driving license for these vehicles.
- RTOs across states have started aligning with this rule by removing badge expiry dates and issuing new licenses without mandating badge numbers.
What Does This Mean for Drivers and Fleet Operators?
✅ Ease of Operation: Drivers with LMV licenses can now legally drive smaller transport vehicles like taxis, autos, e-rickshaws, and goods/passenger carriers within the weight limit without any additional authorization.
✅ No Expiry on Badge: The driving license alone is sufficient, and authorities are instructed not to enforce badge endorsements for eligible vehicles.
✅ Clarity on Licensing Structure: This update settles long-standing confusion around whether separate endorsements were required for commercial LMVs.
Vehicles Covered Under the Exemption:
- Motorcycles with or without gear
- Light motor vehicles (passenger or goods) under 7,500 kg GVW
- E-rickshaws and e-carts
- Omnibus or tractors not exceeding 7,500 kg unladen weight
Who Still Needs a Transport Badge?
Only drivers of medium and heavy goods/passenger vehicles will need to obtain the transport endorsement (badge) on their licenses. These include:
- Buses
- Trucks
- Large commercial vans or heavy carriers exceeding 7,500 kg GVW
Enforcement & Compliance
The Ministry has directed all State and Union Territory transport departments to ensure proper implementation of this judgment and update their licensing systems and Sarathi software accordingly. This step is expected to significantly streamline hiring, reduce deployment delays, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
Final Word
This regulatory clarity is a welcome change for both drivers and fleet operators across India. It reduces documentation overhead and empowers licensed LMV drivers to pursue commercial opportunities without having to jump through additional hoops—while still ensuring that safety and qualification standards remain intact.
