Bike Taxis: After Crackdown, Maharashtra Makes U-Turn, Legalises From Aug 1; Domicile Must For Drivers

Published 7 July 2026 · india

Bike Taxis: After Crackdown, Maharashtra Makes U-Turn, Legalises From Aug 1; Domicile Must For Drivers Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 14:28 IST Domicile

Bike Taxis: After Crackdown, Maharashtra Makes U-Turn, Legalises From Aug 1; Domicile Must For Drivers Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 14:28 IST Domicile certificate is necessary so we know how long a person has been in Maharashtra and whether he possesses knowledge of Marathi," says Transport Minister Sarnaik. With the new domicile-certificate rule, authorities aim to weed out drivers without proper documentation. (News18 Marathi) In a major U-turn from its earlier crackdown on app-based bike-taxi operations, the Maharashtra government will begin issuing permits for such services from August 1 under a new regulatory framework, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Drivers will need a Maharashtra domicile certificate, must fulfil prescribed eligibility conditions, and can only operate through registered aggregators — a decision expected to directly impact the 4 to 4.5 lakh app-based bike-taxi drivers currently active in the state without valid permission.

The move seeks to bring under a legal framework a business that has operated in a grey zone for years. Replying to a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on a question raised by Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande, Sarnaik said the state currently earns no revenue from these services and has now formulated a policy to regulate them. Why Is The Domicile Certificate Being Made Mandatory For Bike-Taxi Drivers? According to Indian Express, permits will be issued only to applicants holding a Maharashtra domicile certificate, in addition to fulfilling other prescribed conditions such as obtaining the necessary licence and a government-issued badge. Explaining the requirement, Sarnaik told the publication, “The domicile certificate is necessary so that we know how long a person has been in Maharashtra and whether he possesses knowledge of Marathi." He added that the policy also aims to generate employment opportunities for local youth.

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