In order to legally drive two-wheeler or four-wheelers on the roads, an Indian driving license is mandatory. There is a separate process for this. A person who wants to drive any type of motor vehicle in India, must first obtain the license of his / her learner (LL-Learning License). A learner’s license is issued for learning. After one month of the license of the issued learner (LL-Learning License), the person will have to appear for the test in front of the RTO authority, who will declare after proper examination whether he has passed the test or not.
Driving License
A driving license is an official document originally issued by the Government of India, which allows to operate or drive a motorized vehicle such as a car, motorcycle, truck, bus, etc. on a public road, without any supervision. . In India, a driving license is issued by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) or Regional Transport Office (RTO) of that particular state. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 states that no person without a driving license is authorized to drive a motor vehicle in a public place.
Therefore, if you want to drive a motor vehicle like a car or scooter on the roads, then you must first hold a valid driving license in India. If you are practicing driving, you must first obtain a Learner’s License which will act as a provisional license and then take a test to qualify to obtain a driving license. With the advent of online facilities, which allow users to apply for a driving license from the comfort of their own homes, obtaining a driving license has become an easy task.
Types of Driving License in India
Depending on the type of vehicle a person uses, he may obtain a license for it. However, eligibility requirements will vary for each vehicle type. The list of categories for which driving license can be applied is as follows:
Vehicle type
- Motorcycles with 50 cc or less than 50 cc engine capacity
- Geared motorcycles, motorcycles with a capacity of 50 cc or more, light motor vehicles (LMV) which include cars
- All motorcycle types including motorcycles including gear
- Motorcycle of any cc but without gear – including scooter and moped
- Light motor vehicles for non-transport purposes
- Light automotive is intended for commercial purposes
- Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicles (also known as All India Driving Permit or Open License for Trucks and Cars)
- Heavy goods motor vehicles
- Candidates holding heavy vehicle driving license can apply for heavy trailer license
Eligibility for Driving License in India
The eligibility of driving license in India depends on the category of vehicle and type of driving license. The eligibility criteria for various permanent driving license types in India are given below.
Type of Permanent Driving License eligibility criteria
- Non-geared motorcycles (capacity up to 50 cc) The applicant must be at least 16 years of age and if he is under 18 years of age, the consent of his parents or guardian must be.
- The applicant should be at least 18 years of age with motorized motorcycles.
- Commercial heavy vehicle and transport vehicle applicant should have completed 8th grade. Applicants must be at least 18 years old (minimum age limit is 20 years in some states).
- The general requirement is that the applicant must interact with traffic rules and regulations. The applicant should have a valid age proof and address proof document.
How to apply for LL-Learning License
Documents required for driving license or Learning License
In order to ensure that there is no delay in the application process, the documents to be submitted have to be valid and correct. List of documents required for driving license is:
Age proof (any one of the given documents)
- Birth certificate
- Pan Card
- Passport
- 10th grade marksheet
- Print a certificate from any school for any class with date of birth.
Proof of address required for driving license: Permanent proof of address (any of the following):
- Passport
- Aadhar Card
- Self-owned house agreement
- Electricity bill (name of applicants issued)
- Lic bond
- Voter ID
- Ration magazine
- Current proof of address (any of the following):
- Rental Agreement and Electricity Bill
- Rental Agreement and LPG Bill
Other Requirements for Driving License:
- Duly filled application form (to get the application form for driving license, visit the nearest RTO or download from the online portal for your state)
- 6 passport size photographs (while applying for learner’s license)
- 1 passport size photo (while applying for driving license)
- Application fee
- If you are living in other cities, as a proof of current address, you can present a rental agreement with a recent utility bill copy which may be a gas bill or electricity bill.
- Medical Certificate – Form 1A and 1 to be issued by a certified government doctor
- For all applicants over the age of 40, a medical certificate is mandatory.
How to apply for a Driving License online?
Applying for a driving license online is a simple process and involves only a few steps. Visit the official Sarathi website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. From the column called “Sarathi Seva”, select “New Driving License”. You will be redirected to a new web page which contains all the details about it. Read through the instructions and fill in all the required information.
Procedure for filling Learner License or Driving license application form online
The process of filling online application for Learner License or Driving License is as follows:
- Go to the Sarathi website and download the driving license application form.
- Fill the form according to the instructions given on the screen and click on ‘submit form’.
- In case of minor applicants, the print out of the form is to be taken and Part D has to be filled and signed by the parent / guardian at the nearest RTO.
- Upload the documents to be submitted along with the application form (proof of age, address proof, learner’s license number).
- A web application number will be generated after submission, which can be used to track the status of the application.
- Once the application is processed, a notification will be sent via SMS.
How to apply for Driving License or Learning License in RTO or offline in India?
The process of applying for a driving license in India is very simple and straightforward. The steps given below will help you understand how to apply for an offline driving license.
Applicant must obtain Form 4 which is the application form for motor vehicle driving license in India. The form can be downloaded from the state transport website. Alternatively, the customer can also go to the nearest RTO for purchase of Form 4.
Complete the application form completely and submit it to the jurisdiction of the RTO along with other documents like age certificate and address proof in which you reside. Also, set a slot for the driving license test at RTO and pay the fee to take the test.
Attend your driving license test center at the specified time and date. Once you pass the test, your driving license will be provided on the spot or sent to your registered address.
Also, if you are learning driving from driving school, the school will help you apply for a driving license.
Driving license format in India:
There is a format of Driving license in India. Let’s understand this particular format using a suitable example:
- We say that you live in Bangalore and the vehicle you own has license plate number KA-01-2009-0004558 (reference use only).
- The first two characters indicate the KA state where the vehicle is registered. In this example, it is Karnataka.
- 01 is the city code.
- 2009 is the year the license was printed and given to the user.
- The following digits create a unique identification number for the user.
- credit score
Test procedure for Driving License or Learner License in India
You will have to undergo a driving license which will test your driving skills and knowledge on road rules and signs and pass the test to get your driving license. Some important points about the driving license test procedure in India are as follows.
You can apply for a permanent driving license after 30 days from the date of issuing the Learner’s License. An application for a permanent driving license must be lodged within 180 days from the issue date of the Learner’s License.
Submit all relevant documents (including driving license test slot booking slip if you have booked online license) and pay the fee for taking the driving license test at the prescribed counter. Get the receipt and contact the allotted track cabin to take the test.
You must appear for a driving license test at least one hour before the allotted time. You must take an exam with or before the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) on the prescribed track.
Different states have different test tracks and procedures. Generally, for two wheelers, you will be asked to drive a two wheeler in a route designed in the shape of number 8. In addition, the automotive inspector will check if you are using indicators and relevant hand signals while driving. You have to figure out the size of the number 8 in your vehicle without your feet touching the ground.
For a four wheeler driving license, the motor vehicle inspector will ask you to ride the car in the track and note your skills. You must show proper hand signals, use indicators and apply brakes wherever necessary. Also, shift gears smoothly and use side and rear view mirrors while driving.
To avail the driving license test, you must follow a certain procedure:
You have to fill the online form and make an appointment at the RTO office for your learning test. During your test in RTO some multiple choice questions will be asked. You will find many types of questions on the website, which can be asked during your learning license.
After one month has passed from the date of issuing your learning license, you will have to take an appointment for a driving test. During this test, the questions asked will be related to the vehicle for which you are getting the license (two wheeler / four wheeler). Once you pass this exam as well, you will get a receipt. This special receipt will serve as your driving license, unless you obtain an actual driving license by speed post.
What to do if you have lost your driving license?
Every driver in India is required to have a driving license. You are not allowed to drive in the country without this document. If you lose your driving license, you will have to apply for a duplicate so that you can drive.
What to do if you have lost your driving license:
- Go to the police station that has jurisdiction over the area where you lose your driving license.
- File a complaint and ensure that you have received a copy of the First Information Report (FIR).
- Visit the notary office to obtain an affidavit on stamped paper. The affidavit will serve as a proof that you had sworn before the concerned officer (Executive Magistrate / Notary Public / First Class Judicial Magistrate) that your license has been lost.
- You will have to pay a small fee for notary service and stamp paper.
How does an International Driving Permit work in India?
An international driving license is issued to a resident Indian who holds a valid Indian driving license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) allows an Indian citizen to drive a motor vehicle in a foreign country. The International Driving Permit (IDP) has many language translations of existing driving licenses and is similar in appearance to a passport. Although the process of obtaining an IDP varies from state to state, the general process flow is outlined below.
The application process for an international driving license varies from state to state. Contact the nearest RTO or your state transport department to know the complete application process and list of required documents.
Why do you need a driving license in India?
Apart from the fact that in India a person must have a driving license to legally drive a motor vehicle, the uses of a driving license are numerous. Here are some reasons why you need a driving license in India.
Important personal identification document
Often, while going to or from a pub, you are asked to display an ID. At this point, most of us easily reach into our purse to pull out our driving license. So, another rather important objective that complements a driving license is a widely recognized form of personal identification. Other documents such as passport, PAN card, voter ID card, Aadhaar card, driving license are also a widely accepted form of personal identification.
Make commuting easier
Working these days is a very stressful activity. Using public transport is probably not a cup of tea for everyone. In addition, owning a vehicle gives you the freedom of mobile, as and when you need it. Given that if you want to buy a car or motorbike for commuting, you must obtain a driving license before doing so.
Mandatory legal requirement
If you want to drive in India or even abroad, you are required to have a valid driving license to do so. A driving license is an important document that shows your ability to operate or drive a motorized vehicle.
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