As per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, you need to hold a valid driver’s licence to drive on Indian roads. Those who do not hold a valid licence will be fined Rs. 5,000, as per the new rules and regulations.
In order to procure a valid driving licence, you need to meet a certain set of eligibility criteria. You need to be within a certain age bracket and need to hold a learner’s licence in order to be eligible for a permanent driver’s licence. You also need to understand traffic rules and regulations thoroughly and demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the same through written and practical tests.
Drivers licence eligibility in India depends on the class of vehicle and the type of licence required. The table below explains the eligibility criteria for different vehicle classes:
Type of permanent driving licence |
Eligibility |
Motorcycle without gear( upto a engine capacity of 50cc) |
An applicant should be minimum 16 years of age. Approval of a parent or guardian required for those below 18 years of age |
Motorcycles with gear Motorcycles with engine capacity more than 50cc Light motor vehicles such as a car |
An applicant should be a minimum of 18 years of age |
Commercial heavy vehicle Commercial transport vehicle |
Applicant must be 18 years old or 20 years of age as per the state in which he or she is residing |
You also need to submit a set of documents that substantiate your application for a driving licence:
Here is a list of driving licence documents that you need to furnish in order to get a valid permanent driving licence from the RTO in your state.
Proof of age (Any one of these needs to be submitted by the applicant)
Certificate of birth
Voter ID card
School leaving certificate
PAN card
Passport
Proof of Address (Any one of these needs to be submitted by the applicant)
Passport
Life insurance policy
Ration card
Electricity or telephone bill
Salary slip issued by the state or central government
Other documents needed:
Original learner’s licence
Driving licence application form
Medical certificate/forms
3 passport size photographs
Additionally a certificate issued from a driving school needs to be submitted, if you are applying for a driving licence to drive a commercial vehicle. Documents related to car insurance as well as RC certificates of the vehicle to be used during the driving test are also needed.
Learner’s driving licence documents are similar to the ones above. You need a form declaring your physical fitness, application form for learner’s licence along with a document each as age and address proof from the ones mentioned above. Together with all these, 3 copies of passport sized photographs of the applicant are also required.
If your driving licence is stolen or damaged, you can apply for a duplicate licence either online or offline, directly at the same RTO that issued your driver’s licence. Some of the duplicate driving licence documents that need to be submitted include:
An FIR (first information report) confirming the loss of driver’s licence in case of theft
Original driving licence in a torn or damaged state
A Challan clearance report stating that there are no outstanding bills or tickets connected to the driver's licence. This needs to be applied for separately and then submitted only for those driving a commercial vehicle
Application Form LLD to verify either the loss or destruction of driving licence and application for a duplicate one
A photocopy of the driving licence
Driving licence details
Passport size photographs
A proof of address for reference
A proof of age for reference
A duplicate driving licence with an expiry similar to the original is issued after the details furnished above are cross-checked with the information already available.
A driving licence is issued for 20 years or upto 50 years of age, or the earlier of either. You can apply for renewal of driver’s licence within 30 days of its expiry either online or directly at the nearest RTO. Here are a few documents required for driving licence renewal:
A form requesting renewal of driving licence
Form declaring the physical fitness of the applicant
Medical certificate Form 1(A) to be submitted by those above 50 years of age
3 passport size photographs
If you are applying for renewal of your driving licence at an RTO other than the one where you applied for an original driving licence, you need to submit a No Objection Certificate
Application fees as required
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