Delhi to Resume E‑Rickshaw Registrations from May 15 with New One‑Vehicle‑Per‑Driver Rule
Officials said the online portal for issuing training certificates and registration to e‑rickshaw drivers will reopen on May 15, marking the resumption of registrations of e‑rickshaws in Delhi from the same date with a set of new conditions to tighten enforcement against unauthorised vehicles.
Under the revised system, only one e‑rickshaw will be allowed to be registered against a single licence holder, a move aimed at curbing the practice of multiple vehicles being registered in the name of one individual and then sublet to others.
The Delhi transport department had halted registrations in November last year and used the gap to revise procedures related to licensing and training requirements. Officials said the changes are part of efforts to regulate e‑rickshaw operations in Delhi, contain unauthorised vehicles, and reduce traffic congestion, with Transport minister Pankaj Singh stating that limiting one e‑rickshaw per person will increase ownership responsibility and shrink the scope for violations while putting unauthorised e‑rickshaws under closer scrutiny.
Applicants seeking registration will be required to complete a mandatory 10‑day training conducted at designated centres, ensuring drivers are better aware of traffic rules and safety norms. The one‑vehicle‑per‑licence rule will not apply to registered transport companies or e‑cart operators functioning within institutional premises, which will continue to be allowed multiple registrations under a single entity.
The department is working on a mechanism to identify individuals who already hold multiple e‑rickshaw registrations, whose permits may be reviewed or cancelled during annual fitness checks. Authorities also plan to intensify enforcement against e‑rickshaws operating without valid registration, including increased checks and possible impoundment.
The transport department has drafted an e‑rickshaw policy for Delhi government approval, seeking to rationalise the overall number of e‑rickshaws in the city and ensure more balanced distribution across localities. The draft policy also proposes measures to regulate routes and deployment of e‑rickshaws based on local demand and traffic conditions, with officials indicating that future rules may mandate specific routes and adjust vehicle numbers in line with demand to ease congestion.
The move has been welcomed by the EV Manufacturing Society, which had been engaging with the Delhi government over the temporary suspension of registrations and related issues around driver training certification.
The organization’s general secretary Rajeev Tuli said multiple meetings with the transport department had focused on restarting the registration process and reopening the portal, and he welcomed the resumption, noting that the earlier suspension had negatively impacted e‑rickshaw dealers and drivers.
