Overview The Hyderabad Traffic Police have announced a continuous special drive against motorists without a valid driving licence (DL) starting 1 March 2026 . The advisory, issued by Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis , mandates that every commuter must carry a valid licence while driving and urges those lacking one to obtain it from the Road Transport Authority (RTA) . The move is driven by data indicating that a majority of road accidents involve unlicensed drivers, and it also highlights legal and financial repercussions for vehicle owners who permit unlicensed driving. Key Developments Development 1: Launch of a city‑wide, continuous enforcement operation from 1 Mar 2026 targeting unlicensed drivers. Development 2: Explicit warning that allowing an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle constitutes a criminal offence under existing traffic laws. Development 3: Clarification that insurance claims arising from accidents involving unlicensed drivers will be rejected, exposing owners to severe financial liability. Important Facts Fact 1: The advisory was publicly released on 11 Feb 2026, 07:01 pm IST . Fact 2: Empirical observations show that a *majority* of road accidents in Hyderabad involve drivers who do not possess a valid licence, underscoring the safety rationale behind the drive. UPSC Relevance This initiative intersects with multiple strands of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) , it relates to the implementation of traffic laws, the role of police administration, and the legal framework governing motor vehicle licensing. GS Paper III (Infrastructure, Transport & Communication) covers road safety measures, the functioning of the RTA , and insurance regulation. The issue also touches upon GS Paper I (Society) through the lens of public behaviour, compliance, and the socio‑economic impact of accidents. Potential question angles include: evaluating the effectiveness of licence‑check drives, comparing state‑level road‑safety policies, and analysing the legal consequences of non‑compliance. Way Forward For sustained impact, the Hyderabad Traffic Police should integrate technology‑enabled monitoring (e.g., AI‑driven CCTV, RFID‑linked licences) and conduct periodic awareness campaigns in collaboration with the RTA. Strengthening punitive measures while offering streamlined licence‑issuance processes can improve compliance. Moreover, aligning insurance policies with licensing status will reinforce accountability. These steps can serve as a model for other metropolitan cities aiming to curb unlicensed driving and enhance overall road safety.