Driving licence suspension in Chandigarh surged again in 2025

Chandigarh has seen a sharp spike in suspension and cancellation of driving licences in 2025, reversing the steady decline witnessed over the previous three years. The overall numbers remain far lower than the highs recorded in 2020 and 2021.

Official data accessed by The Tribune shows that enforcement action intensified in 2025, with authorities stressing zero tolerance towards traffic violations. According to figures shared exclusively by Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) Pradhuman Singh, a total of 1,118 driving licences were suspended or cancelled in 2025, a steep rise compared with 171 in 2024, 680 in 2023 and 1,104 in 2022. However, the figure is still far below 2020 (4,623 cases) and 2021 (4,057 cases), which remain the highest in the past six years.

Between 2020 and 2025, 11,753 driving licences were suspended or cancelled in Chandigarh. 2020 recorded the maximum action, while 2024 saw the minimum.

Helmetless riding continued to be the single biggest offence over the six-year period, accounting for a major share of licence suspension each year. In 2025 alone, 425 licences were suspended for riding two-wheelers without helmet, followed by drunken driving (161), red-light jumping (233), triple riding (102) and dangerous driving and miscellaneous offences (81). Overspeeding, which dominated earlier years, saw comparatively fewer suspensions in 2025.

Data shows that enforcement had dipped sharply after 2021, touching its lowest point in 2024, before climbing again in 2025, indicating renewed focus on traffic discipline.

On the licensing side, Chandigarh issued and renewed 96,676 driving licences between 2020 and 2025. The highest number was recorded in 2024 with 18,962 licences, while 2020 saw the lowest at 13,655. In 2025, 18,408 licences were issued across categories.

Motorcycle licences with gear (MCWG) and light motor vehicle (LMV) licences dominated issuances throughout the six-year period. Renewals of driving licences also rose sharply in recent years, peaking in 2025 with 39,288 renewals, compared with 18,220 in 2020, reflecting a growing base of motorists in the city.

Notably, licences issued for e-carts and e-rickshaws remain negligible. Over the past six years, only 30 e-cart licences and 347 e-rickshaw licences were issued, taking the combined total to 377, which is less than 0.4 per cent of all driving licences issued since 2020. Issuance for these categories picked up only in the past two years, with 206 e-rickshaw licences and 21 e-cart licences issued in 2025 alone, but their overall share remains marginal.

Vehicle registrations also continued to climb. Over the years, Chandigarh has issued 4,78,282 registration certificates for motorcycles and scooters and 4,35,741 for motor cars. Revenue from renewal of vehicle registration certificates rose steadily, from Rs 1.19 crore in 2020 to a record Rs 11.01 crore in 2025, making 2025 the highest and 2020 the lowest revenue year in this segment.

Revenue from issuance and renewal of driving licences showed fluctuations but remained robust. Combined revenue from new licences and renewals stood at about Rs 71.8 lakh in 2020, rose to its highest in 2021, and then stabilised in subsequent years. Overall transport-related revenue has shown a strong upward trend, peaking in 2024–25 at Rs 3,418 crore, before moderating in 2025–26.

Pradhuman Singh said the data reflected both stricter enforcement and growing compliance, adding that action would continue against repeat and serious offenders.

Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav underlined the administration’s stance, saying, “There will be no leniency and zero tolerance for traffic violators. Ensuring road safety remains our top priority.”

He added that the data underline a clear message from the Chandigarh administration: while enforcement intensity may vary year to year, traffic violations will continue to attract firm action, with road safety taking precedence over all other considerations.

YEAR-WISE SNAPSHOT (2020–2025)

Driving licences suspended/cancelled

2020: 4,623

(highest in 6 yrs)

2021: 4,057

2022: 1,104

2023: 680

2024: 171

2025: 1,118

VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS (2020–2025)

Motorcycles/scooters: 4,78,282

Motor cars: 4,35,741

REVENUE RECEIPTS

2020–21 Rs 1,136.94 crore

2021–22 Rs 1,829.13 crore

2022–23 Rs 2,536.51 crore

2023–24 Rs 3,107.35 crore

2024–25 Rs 3,418.45 crore (highest)

2025–26 Rs 2,447.21 crore

(SOURCE: RLA)