Driving Licence Documents And Eligibility Criteria

About Documents and Eligibility

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.

Driving licence eligibility and documents

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.

Eligibility for driving licence

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:

Documents required for driving licence and learning licence

You also need to submit a set of documents that substantiate your application for a driving licence:

Documents for Permanent 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.

Documents for Learner’s licence

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.

Documents required for duplicate driving licence and renewing driving licence

Documents for Duplicate Driver’s licence

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.

Documents for Driving licence Renewal

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

Once you are sure of your learners licence and drivers licence eligibility and documentation and finally get a valid driver’s licence, it is important to get your vehicle insured to safeguard it from any untoward incident in the future. Bike insurance and car insurance available on Finserv MARKETS is affordable, provides 24X7 assistance for your vehicle and comes with third party liability coverage. It also provides a swift online claim settlement process. Driving on Indian roads will be smooth-sailing with your valid driver’s licence and a comprehensive motor insurance policy such as that available on Finserv MARKETS!