Karnataka Suspends Nearly 6,000 Driving Licences in 2025; Bengaluru Accounts for Majority
Drunk driving emerges as the top reason, with Bengaluru Urban recording over 4,400 licence suspensions.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Transport Department has suspended a total of 5,947 driving licences across the state so far in 2025, with Bengaluru Urban district accounting for the highest number of cases, officials said.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, Bengaluru Urban alone recorded 4,479 licence suspensions, highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with traffic violations. Statewide, drunk driving emerged as the leading cause, with 4,735 licences cancelled for this offence.
Officials also revealed that around 1,512 cases related to rash and negligent driving, along with other traffic violations, are still pending with various Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
Transport Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy said the department follows a strict policy against drunk driving. He stated that such behaviour not only endangers the driver but also puts pedestrians and other road users at serious risk. To enforce discipline, the department suspends driving licences even on the first offence of drunk driving.
M. Shobha, Joint Commissioner of the Transport Department for Bengaluru Urban Division, explained that once reports are received from the traffic police, they are forwarded to the respective RTOs, where further action is taken.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Traffic (Bengaluru City) Karthik Reddy said all 53 traffic police stations in the city have been instructed to intensify checks, particularly on weekends. He added that there is zero tolerance for drunk driving, and once offenders are caught, their licences are immediately referred to the transport department for suspension.
Officials said driving licences can be suspended for a period ranging from three to six months. In some cases, motorists are given a hearing, and decisions are taken based on their responses and traffic police reports.
The report also noted that on December 31, ahead of the New Year, the transport department announced a change in emission rules for new vehicles. Emission validity for new vehicles has now been extended to one year, compared to five months earlier. After one year, vehicles will be required to undergo emission tests at regular intervals.
