Vahana Mitra in AP was the scheme that gave Rs 10,000 a year to auto rickshaw, taxi and maxi cab owner-drivers for vehicle maintenance, insurance and fitness. If you are an auto driver searching for it in 2026, this guide explains what the scheme was, what happened to it, and which scheme you should apply for now.
| Scheme | YSR Vahana Mitra (auto, taxi and cab owner-drivers) |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Benefit under Vahana Mitra | Rs 10,000 a year |
| Current scheme | Auto Driver Sevalo — Rs 15,000 a year |
| Launched | October 2019 |
| Who it covered | Owner-drivers of autos, taxis and maxi cabs |
| Implemented by | Transport Department |
What Was Vahana Mitra?
YSR Vahana Mitra was launched in October 2019 to support the owner-drivers of auto rickshaws, taxis and maxi cabs in Andhra Pradesh. An owner-driver earns a daily income from the vehicle but also bears the costs of fuel, maintenance, insurance, fitness certification and repairs. The scheme paid Rs 10,000 a year directly into the driver’s bank account to help with those costs, so that a breakdown or an insurance renewal did not wipe out a week’s earnings.
The benefit was for owner-drivers, not for hired drivers. The vehicle had to be registered in the driver’s name, and the driver had to hold a valid driving licence. The amount was paid once a year, and the driver had to renew the application each year with the vehicle’s fitness and insurance details.
Who Was Eligible for Vahana Mitra?
To receive Vahana Mitra, the driver had to meet these conditions:
- Owner-driver: the driver must own the auto rickshaw, taxi or maxi cab, with the vehicle registered in their name.
- Valid licence: the driver must hold a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle.
- Residence: the driver must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh.
- Vehicle documents: the vehicle must have valid registration, insurance and fitness certification.
- Bank account: the driver must have a bank account linked to Aadhaar for the direct benefit transfer.
Hired drivers who drove a vehicle owned by someone else were not covered, because the benefit was tied to the ownership of the vehicle and its running costs. Drivers who also held a pension or another government benefit were not excluded on that ground alone, but the vehicle and licence conditions were strictly checked.
Documents Required for Vahana Mitra
Drivers who applied for Vahana Mitra needed:
- Aadhaar card of the driver.
- Driving licence — valid for the class of vehicle.
- Vehicle registration certificate (RC) in the driver’s name.
- Vehicle insurance — current policy.
- Fitness certificate of the vehicle.
- Bank account details — account number and IFSC, with the account linked to Aadhaar.
These are the same documents that the current scheme asks for, so a driver who keeps them ready can apply for the replacement scheme without delay.
What Happened to Vahana Mitra?
Vahana Mitra was a scheme of the previous government, and after the change of government in 2024 it was replaced by a new scheme for auto drivers. The current scheme is Auto Driver Sevalo, which pays Rs 15,000 a year to auto drivers in Andhra Pradesh — Rs 5,000 more than Vahana Mitra paid. Auto drivers should now apply for Auto Driver Sevalo, not for Vahana Mitra. If you received Vahana Mitra in the past, that does not automatically enrol you in the new scheme; you must apply for Auto Driver Sevalo separately and meet its conditions.
Do not pay anyone who promises to get you a Vahana Mitra payment in 2026. The scheme is no longer the live one, and the correct route is the current Auto Driver Sevalo scheme through the Transport Department and the Village or Ward Secretariat.
How to Apply for the Current Scheme: Auto Driver Sevalo
Auto Driver Sevalo is the scheme that has replaced Vahana Mitra. To apply:
- Visit the nearest MeeSeva centre, Village or Ward Secretariat, or the district Transport Department office.
- Give your Aadhaar, driving licence, vehicle RC, insurance and fitness certificate.
- Give your bank account details linked to Aadhaar.
- The official will verify the vehicle and licence details on the Transport Department portal at aptransport.org.
- Once approved, the amount of Rs 15,000 a year is credited to your bank account.
- Keep the acknowledgement and check the credit in your bank passbook.
Our full guide to Auto Driver Sevalo explains the Rs 15,000 benefit, the eligibility and the application steps in detail.
Other Support for Drivers and Unorganised Workers
Auto and taxi drivers are unorganised workers, and several other schemes support them. Chandranna Bima in AP gives up to Rs 5 lakh of insurance cover to unorganised workers, including drivers, at no premium. The NTR Bharosa pension scheme gives a monthly pension to the elderly, widows and the disabled. Fishermen, who are also unorganised workers, have the separate Matsyakarula Sevalo fishing ban relief of Rs 20,000. A driver should check each scheme separately, because each has its own eligibility and application route.
Current Status of Vahana Mitra in 2026
Vahana Mitra is not the live scheme for auto drivers in 2026. The Rs 10,000 a year benefit under that name has been superseded by Auto Driver Sevalo at Rs 15,000 a year. If you are an auto, taxi or cab owner-driver, apply for Auto Driver Sevalo through the Transport Department or the secretariat, and do not wait for a Vahana Mitra payment. If you received Vahana Mitra in an earlier year, keep the old payment records, but use the current scheme’s name and process for any new application. The AP government portal at ap.gov.in links to the Transport Department and other services.
Common Problems and Solutions
Vehicle not in the driver’s name: transfer the registration to the driver’s name before applying, because the benefit is for owner-drivers. Licence expired: renew the driving licence first, because an expired licence blocks the application. Insurance or fitness lapsed: renew the insurance and fitness certificate, since the Transport Department checks both. Payment not credited: confirm that the bank account is Aadhaar-linked and active, and check the application status at the secretariat. Applied under the old name: re-apply under Auto Driver Sevalo, because Vahana Mitra applications are no longer processed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vahana Mitra in AP
Is Vahana Mitra still running in 2026?
No. Vahana Mitra has been replaced by Auto Driver Sevalo, which pays Rs 15,000 a year. Auto drivers should apply for Auto Driver Sevalo.
Can a hired driver get the benefit?
No. Both Vahana Mitra and Auto Driver Sevalo are for owner-drivers. The vehicle must be registered in the driver’s name.
Does the Rs 15,000 replace the Rs 10,000?
Yes. Auto Driver Sevalo pays Rs 15,000 a year, which is Rs 5,000 more than Vahana Mitra paid. It is a separate scheme, not an additional payment on top of the old one.
Where do I apply for Auto Driver Sevalo?
At the nearest MeeSeva centre, Village or Ward Secretariat, or the district Transport Department office, with your Aadhaar, licence, vehicle RC, insurance, fitness certificate and bank details.
Final Word
Vahana Mitra in AP gave Rs 10,000 a year to auto, taxi and cab owner-drivers, but it is no longer the live scheme. In 2026 the scheme to apply for is Auto Driver Sevalo at Rs 15,000 a year, through the Transport Department or the Village or Ward Secretariat. Keep your licence, RC, insurance and fitness certificate current, and check the credit in your bank passbook. For the wider picture of worker welfare this year, see our guide to Andhra Pradesh schemes in August 2026.
Last updated: November 2026