Driving license - Check Application Process, Eligibility & Documents
Driving Licence
A driver's licence is an official document that is issued by a state in the form of a government permit card. A driving licence authorizes the holder to operate a motor vehicle on Indian public highways. Two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other types of vehicles are included in this category. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 mandates the possession of a driver's licence. No one can drive in a public area without a driving licence issued by the Regional Transport Office, according to this Act (RTO). Let’s look at the features of a driver's licence and how to apply for one.
Characteristics of Driving Licence
Let's look at the essential characteristics of a driving Licence:- A driver's licence bears the name of the office where it was created and issued. This makes it easier to know where to direct any further processes or questions.
- It contains a picture of the Licence bearer.
- It contains a unique registration number.
- It bears a stamp from the issuing office as well as the signature of the official in charge.
- An Indian driver's licence can also be used as identification proof. Government offices, travel booking offices, airports, taverns, and other places fall within this category. A driver's licence is equivalent to passports, PAN cards, Voter ID Cards, Aadhar Cards, and other types of personal identity.
Type of Driving License
RTO in India issues four types of driving licence:- Learner’s licence:
In India, you will be awarded a learning licence before receiving a permanent driver's licence. This document has a six-month validity period. This licence allows you to ride in vehicles for learning or improve your driving skills before taking a test for a permanent driving licence.
- Permanent Licence:
The RTO will grant you a permanent driving licence if you go for a driving test and pass it. A permanent driving licence can be applied online by any Indian citizen of 18 years old or older. This document is required to operate personal vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.
- Commercial Driving Licence:
A commercial driver's licence is required to operate large vehicles such as buses or trucks. These vehicles can be either passenger or cargo vehicles. The eligibility requirements for this type of licence differ from those of a permanent driver's licence. To apply for a commercial driver's licence, the applicant must have completed the eighth grade.
- International Driving Permit:
An international driving permit is required for anyone who desires to drive a vehicle outside India, as the name implies. The international driving licence, unlike the Indian driving licence, is only valid for a year. You'll have to reapply for your international driving permit after it expires.
Driving Licence Eligibility and Penalties: Private and Commercial
When it comes to obtaining a driver's licence, the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 contains specific eligibility standards. A two-wheeler or bike licence is required to operate a two-wheeler after you are 16 years old. When you reach the age of 18, you can also drive four-wheelers. To operate a vehicle, you must be at least 20 years old. The penalty for driving without a valid licence in India is 5000 INR with juvenile driving leading to a fine of 25000 INR with the cancellation of vehicle registration for 1 year and ineligibility to drive until the age of 25. The table below contains more information regarding the age limit for obtaining a driver's licence.
| VEHICLE TYPE | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
|---|---|
| Four-wheeler vehicles and Motorcycles with gear | 18 years and above with good knowledge of traffic rules and regulations |
| Motorcycles without gear(up to 50 ccs) | At least 16 years of age with sound knowledge of traffic rules and regulations, requires parents’ consent. |
| Heavy Commercial vehicle | Cleared 8th grade and minimum 18 years of age |
Applying For Driving Licence
You will be requested to produce various documents while applying for your driver's licence. Check out the list of documents you'll need for your driver's licence application below.
- Age proof document: Birth certificate, 10th mark sheet or PAN card
- Address proof: Applicant needs to submit current address proof that can be Aadhar card, electricity bill in applicant’s name, agreement of house ownership. In case the house is rented, an electricity bill or gas bill together with a rental agreement would suffice.
- Duly filled application form
- Passport-size photographs.
- For applicants aged 40 and above, a medical certificate issued by a certified physician is a must.
- Knowledge of Traffic rules and regulations is paramount.
Process of Getting a Driver’s Licence
To apply for and obtain an official driver's licence, follow the steps below:- When you apply for a driver's licence for the first time, you will be issued a learner's permit.
- You can apply for your new driver's licence on the internet. Go to the Road Transport and Highways Ministry's official website, Sarathi, and select 'New Driving Licence' from the 'Sarathi Services' column. You will be directed to an online application for a driver's licence.
- You can schedule your learner's licence exam once you receive confirmation that your application has been processed.
- You have six months to practice driving after receiving your learner's permit.
You must apply for the final driving licence test within 30 days of receiving your learner's licence, but no later than 6 months before your learner's licence expires. You will be given questions about traffic rules and laws during the final driving test, as well as a practical driving test in which you will be required to drive your vehicle to demonstrate your driving skills.
A difficult job, such as the Forward 8 shaped track test, Parallel Parking test, Reverse S test, Drive Backwards on an S-shaped track, and so on, is generally included in the practical driving test. The test is overseen by an inspector. They pay attention not only to your performance but also to minor aspects-if your feet touch the ground while doing a bike test, for example, you will fail the test. Make sure you change gears smoothly when driving a car or other four-wheeler.
It's a good idea to practise the difficult turns on the vacant public grounds ahead of time. You will be granted a receipt once you have passed your permanent driving test. Until you receive the actual hard copy of the licence via fast post at your address within a few days, this receipt will serve as your final licence.
Smart Card Driving Licence
A smart card driver's licence is simply a driver's licence in a more secure and digital format. A tamper-proof plastic smart card with a 64kb embedded microprocessor is known as a DL smart card. This 64-kilobyte microchip holds all pertinent information about the licence. It essentially comprises all of the applicant's biometric information, such as blood group, thumb and fingerprint, retina scan, body markings, and so on. The RTO / RTA office also has this information in its systems.
Driving Licence Fee structure
The cost of getting a driver's licence varies depending on a few criteria. Whether it's a learner's permit or undergoing the final test to become a licenced driver, another factor to consider is whether you are an international driver seeking to obtain a driver's licence in the country.
There is a fee associated with it, and the structure is as shown below:
| Type Of Licence | Fees(INR) |
|---|---|
| Learner’s Licence | 200 |
| Learner’s Licence renewal | 200 |
| International Driving Licence | 1000 |
| Driving Licence | 200 |
| Driving Licence Test | 300 |
| Driving Licence renewal fees | 200 |
| Issue of renewed driver’s licence. | 200 |
Driving Licence fee as per the registration type:
| Registration Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Two-wheeler hypothecation | 500 |
| Three-wheeler hypothecation | 1500 |
| Motorbike registration | 50 |
| Medium and heavy vehicles hypothecation | 600 |
| Cars with white registration plate | 600 |
| Cars with yellow registration plate | 1000 |
| Passenger & Cargo | 1000 |
| Passenger & Heavy Cargo | 1500 |
| Imported vehicle | 5000 |
| Imported motorcycle | 2000 |
Online Payment of Fees
You must first apply online before paying the driving licence fees online. Follow the below steps to fill out an online application for a learner's licence or a driver's licence:
Access the online application form on the Sarathi website. Fill out the form. If a minor is applying, their parents or guardians must provide their consent by filling out part 'D' of the form before submitting it to the local RTO. Upload all other relevant documents, such as proof of address, age, and learner's licence number (the latter only applies to applicants applying for a driver's licence).
An Application Number will be generated once the form is submitted successfully and a confirmation message will be sent to the applicant's mobile. The last step is the payment of fees.
Driving Tests
The RTO will select an invigilator to administer your test and evaluate whether or not you are capable of driving safely and should be awarded a driver's licence. The candidate will need to obtain their vehicle at the time of the exam. It's important to note that the vehicle must be in the same class as the one listed on the driver's licence application. If the applicant does not own a vehicle, they can borrow one from the driving school.
Test for Four-Wheelers: During the four-wheeler driving test, the applicant must drive their vehicle on a specifically prepared course without colliding with the pillars. The invigilator will ask the applicant to drive on the road if their performance is satisfactory. The candidate will be judged as passed or failed based on their total performance. If a person fails the driving licence test, they can repeat it after seven days. Test for two-wheelers or three-wheelers: The candidate is required to ride well within the border of an imaginative figure '8' pattern. This must be done without contacting the ground with the feet. The applicant will be asked to ride the vehicle on the road if the invigilator is satisfied with the performance. They will be evaluated on their overall vehicle control in real-world circumstances.
Tips for Passing the Driver’s Licence Exam
- When it comes to taking your first driving test, you might be a little nervous. However, if you know the traffic rules and have enough practice driving your vehicle, you should be able to pass the exam without difficulty. You can also use the following helpful hints to ace your driving test:
- As long as you have your learner's permit, get plenty of driving practice.
- When administering the test, remain calm and confident.
- Arrive at the RTO early on test day.
- Make sure you're driving smoothly and without swerving.
Permanent and Learner’s Licence: What Separates Them
| Difference | Learner’s Licence | Permanent Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Six years | 20 years |
| Purpose | For people learning to drive | Legal document to drive on public roads |
| Sequence | Issued before Learner’s Licence | 30 days after Learner's licence issue date |
Action Items in Case Driving Licence Is Lost
If your driver's licence is lost or stolen, you must take the following actions to recover it:
Make a First Information Report (FIR) at the nearest police station. Because the case will fall within their jurisdiction, there should be a police station close to the scene. Following the filing of the complaint, go to a notary office to obtain an affidavit on stamped paper. While there is a chance you will receive your driver's licence back, it is always a good idea to purchase a duplicate in case you do not.
Apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence
Submit the following documents for a duplicate driver’s licence
- FIR
- Photocopy of the original licence
- Details of licence
- Passport size photographs
- Proof of age
- Proof of residence
These documents will be verified by the RTO and a duplicate licence will be issued.
International Driving Licence
A specific driving licence that allows you to drive your vehicle in foreign countries is known as an international driving licence in India. The name of the country for which the international driver's licence is issued appears on it. It also contains the holder's visa number. This document, also known as an International Driving Permit, is valid for a year. You will need to apply for renewal if you need to prolong your foreign driving licence. To apply for an international driver's licence, the following documents are required.
- Duly filled International Driving Licence application form
- Address proof of the applicant
- Copy of the passport
- Valid visa
- Medical Certificate
- Passport size photograph
- Payment fees
After submission of the above documents, International Driving Licence can be collected in three working days.
If you want to drive on Indian roads, you need to be aware of the traffic regulations and the significance of holding a driver's licence. Always follow the traffic regulations, don't break the rules, and be mindful of other drivers on the road.