In India, possessing a valid driving license is a legal requirement for driving a car on public roads. However, obtaining a permanent driving license is not an immediate process. If you want to drive a car in India, you need to obtain a learner's license, which is specifically for learning purposes. Once you have obtained a learner's license, there is a one-month waiting period during which you must gain practical driving experience.
After the waiting period, you are required to take a driving test administered by a Regional Transport Office (RTO) authority.
Upon completion of the driving test, the RTO authority will determine whether you have passed the examination. If successful, the learner's licence can be upgraded to a permanent driving licence, allowing you to legally drive on Indian roads.
What Is A Driver's Licence?
A driver's licence is a government-issued legal document that allows an individual to drive a car on public roads. It is a mandatory requirement to ensure safety while driving, as driving involves handling a large machine with passengers.
Eligibility Requirements For An Indian Driver's License
Eligibility requirements for obtaining a driving licence in India may vary by state, and the general criteria are as follows:
Minimum Age: The minimum age for applying for a driving licence depends on the type of vehicle, and for a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence, the applicant must be 18 years old.
Learner's Licence: Before obtaining a permanent driving licence, individuals must first acquire a learner's licence for a specific period, which varies based on the type of vehicle.
Knowledge Test: Applicants are required to pass a written knowledge test that assesses their understanding of traffic rules, road signs, and safety regulations.
Practical Driving Test: After passing the knowledge test, individuals must undergo a practical driving test to evaluate their driving skills and ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Driving Licence Age Limit
In India, the minimum age requirement for obtaining a driving licence varies depending on the type of vehicle.
Here are the age limits for different categories:
Motorcycle without gear (up to 50cc): 16 yrs.
Motorcycle with gear (all capacities): 18 yrs.
Light Motor Vehicle (Cars, including taxis and vehicles for personal use): 18 yrs.
Commercial Vehicles (goods and passenger carriers): 20 yrs
It's important to note that these age limits are general guidelines and may vary slightly based on the state or union territory within India. Additionally, there may be additional requirements and criteria, such as educational qualifications and driving tests, that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain a driving license.
Driving Licence Documents
In India, The Road Transport Authority is responsible for issuing the driving license to the drivers. Further, a driving license in India is of two types, namely:
- Learner or provisional licence
- Permanent licence
You can get a learner licence issued to you on the spot based on some initial document submission. However, for a permanent licence, you have to prepare yourself. A learner’s licence is only valid for 6 months. Post that, you have to appear for a theoretical test and a practical test to get a permanent licence.
When you apply for your driving license, you need to have some crucial documents with you. Here is this list of those documents!
Proof of your age
Passport
PAN card
Matric mark sheet
Birth certificate
Address proof
Aadhar card
House agreement
Voter ID card
Electricity bill
Ration card
Other necessary documents
6 passport sized pictures of yourself (at the time of learning or provisional license)
One photo when you are applying for a permanent license.
A duly filled application form you can be sent online or from your nearest regional transport office (RTO).
Application fees
Medical certificate for people over 40.
Is there A Driving Licence fee?
Yes, the Road Transport Authority levies some fees on driving licences. As there are various types of driving licenses, the fee for each one varies. Here is a detailed list!
- New license, whether it is a learner or permanent: 200 INR
- Renewal of license (learner or permanent): 200 INR
- International driving license: 1000 INR
- Fee for driving license test: 300 INR
The driving license fee in India varies from state to state and also depends on the type of license you are applying for.
Here are the approximate fees for a permanent driving license in some of the top cities in India:
Mumbai: The fee for a permanent driving license in Mumbai is around Rs. 700.
Delhi: The fee for a permanent driving license in Delhi is around Rs. 200.
Bangalore: The fee for a permanent driving license in Bangalore is around Rs. 420.
Chennai: The fee for a permanent driving license in Chennai is around Rs. 350.
Kolkata: The fee for a permanent driving license in Kolkata is around Rs. 250.
Hyderabad: The fee for a permanent driving license in Hyderabad is around Rs. 310.
These are fees that you need to pay to the RTO to get your license.
If you’re in Bangalore, you can also check out driving classes Bangalore to get professional training before applying for your license.
How to Apply For An Indian Driver's Licence?
Applying for a driver’s license is pretty easy; you can do it both offline or online. You just need to check that you have all the documents, fee and knowledge about road signs and rules.
For applying online
- Go to the Sarathi website and get the driving licence application form
- Fill the form as per the guidelines displayed on the screen and tap on 'Submit'.
- In case the applicant is a minor, part D of the form is to be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian at the closest regional transport office.
- Upload the documents that need to be submitted with the application, like age proof, address proof, learner's license number, etc.
- An application number will be generated after the submission. You can use this to track its status.
- Once the application has been processed, a notification will be sent via SMS.
After this, you pay the fees and book a slot for your driving test. You need to arrive at the test venue and take the test, both online and practical. The practical test will require you to drive the car or bike. Once you clear both the tests, the driving licence will be sent to your registered address.
You can prepare for the test with driving classes Pune and get hands-on training from certified instructors on Superprof.
For applying offline
- Go to your nearest RTO and obtain Form 4. Take the form, fill it with all the required details and attach all the necessary documents.
- Submit the form along with all the required documents at the RTO for the driver’s permit.
- Book a slot for your test and pay the fee for that.
- Arrive at the test venue on time and take the online and drive test.
- If you pass the test, your driver’s license will be delivered to you at your registered address. If you don’t, you can take the test again after 7 days.
These are the two ways to apply for a driver’s license in India. You can opt for any one based on your convenience. Although the rules of acquiring a driver’s licence are almost the same across the entire country, there are some areas where the rules differ a bit. Let’s see how you can get a license in various parts of the country.
Can Foreigners drive in India?
Foreigners can drive in India with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to one year. After that, they must obtain an Indian driving license.
NRIs and foreigners who wish to reside in India for more than one year must apply for an Indian driving license. They must pass a test on Indian traffic laws, road signs, and regulations.
Requirements for an International Driving Permit (IDP)
To obtain an IDP, you typically need the following:
Valid Driving License: You must have a valid driving license from your home country.
Passport: A valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
Passport-sized Photographs: Usually, two passport-sized photographs are required.
Application Form: Fill out the application form for an IDP.
Fee: Pay the required fee for the IDP.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for an IDP.
Driving Licence in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is an Indian state that falls towards the south. It is home to the financial capital of India, Mumbai, which has some of the top-notch vehicles. If you want to drive a car in Maharashtra, you can obtain a driving license by following the same instructions mentioned above. A minor change in the documents is that you can provide the LPG bill as proof for correspondence address.
Driving Licence in Uttar Pradesh
If you are a resident of Uttar Pradesh, you do not need anything special to get your driving license. Just ensure that you have prepared well for your drive test and online test. Moreover, you are also required to check if your vehicle has the number and all of its parts are working properly. If your vehicle stops in between the test, it may have a negative impact.
Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu
Getting a driving licence in Tamilnadu is the same as in the rest of the country. If you are a new driver, you need to be aware of the way traffic moves in your city. This is a bit uncertain to know; however, once you get on the road, you will know. When you get your provisional licence, you have 6 months to know about the road and polish your driving skills in your vehicle. If you face any issue, you can take coaching from various accredited driving schools in India.
Driving Licence in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is also towards the south of India. If you are a resident of AP, then you are in luck as there are many driving schools; these can help you drive your vehicle better and can also guide you regarding road signs and safety. To get a valid DL faster, it is best if you opt for these driving schools.
Driving Licence in West Bengal
West Bengal is an eastern state of India and has these yellow taxis. If you live in West Bengal and want to obtain a valid DL, you need to be aware of all the road safety rules. The document part of the DL process is also important and is the same as the rest of the country.
Some of the Accredited Driving Schools in India
To obtain a DL in India, you need to pass an exam by driving your motor vehicle. And to get perfect results in that exam, you have to take training from an accredited driving school. Here are some of the best driving schools in India!
- D-Man driving school in Chennai
- SharpDrives in Bengaluru
- Vaidya Motor Training School in Mumbai
- Sai Ram Motor Driving School in Bengaluru
- Good Luck Motor Driving School in Mumbai
There are many other driving schools that you can go to in the country. You can also visit your nearest RTO for suggestions regarding a driving school.
New driving licence rules
These driving schools produce some of the best drivers and also issue a certificate to them. They will also keep you updated with all the latest traffic rules. Here is one of the latest rules regarding DL.
You no longer have to take the driving exam to get a DL. However, if you are one of the first-time drivers, you have to complete training from an accredited training centre.
Discover a personal car driving trainer near me when you search for lessons on Superprof!
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