Learner’s Licence

A learner’s licence is issued which comes with a limited validity before a permanent driver’s licence is issued.According to the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, an Indian citizen must have a driver’s licence to drive around on Indian roads. Obtaining a learner’s licence is one of the most crucial steps in getting a driver’s licence in India. A learner’s licence indicates that you don't have any prior driving knowledge and are now applying for a new driving licence. There are two different types of learner’s licence; a personal and a commercial one and both of them are issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of the respective state.

The Learner's Licence in India is given based on the type of motor vehicle. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of vehicle. The following table summarises the different types of Learner's Licence:

The RTO website of every state has a dedicated window to apply for Learner's Licence through online mode. The steps for filing the application form might vary depending on the website, but the general procedure remains the same. You need to follow the following steps to apply online:

 

Step 1: Visit your state transport department's website or the respective RTO website. You need to check for an online Learner's Licence application facility on the website.

 

Step 2: Once you get the application window on the website, start by going through the instructions carefully.

 

Step 3: The next step would be to fill in all the basic details (like father's name, complete address, postal code, Aadhaar card/ID card number and your locality).

 

Step 4: Further, you would be asked to upload the documents like address proof and age proof, followed by paying the application fees to complete the application.

 

Furthermore, some states have the provision to download the application filled online, which you need to submit in the RTO along with the required documents before attempting the test. You need to be present at the Learner's Licence test centre/RTO to take the test on the allotted/selected slot.

If you are not comfortable applying online, you can choose the offline mode of application. The following steps highlight the method to apply offline for a Learning Licence:

 

Step 1: Firstly, you need to obtain Form 2 /Form 3, the prescribed form to apply for Learner's Licence. These forms can be easily downloaded online or obtained from the RTO.

 

Step 2: Next, you have to fill in all the required details in the application and attach photographs and other required documents. Then you can submit the application form at the RTO along with the application fees.

 

Step 3: After the form submission is completed and there are no issues with the form, the authorized officer gives you the date for the online test.

 

Step 4: You need to be present as per the allotted slot for the test. Once you pass the test and all the due process is completed, the Learning Licence is issued, or it will be sent to your registered address.

If you are planning to apply for a Learner's Licence, you must submit the following documents at the RTO along with the application. When applying online, you must keep a scanned copy of these documents handy for uploading.

 

• Address Proof (any one document from the given list)

• Age Proof (any one document from the given list)

   

  • PAN card

  • Birth Certificate

  • Transfer certificate (any school /any class with states the date of birth)

  • 10th Class mark sheet

  • Passport

• Suppose you are applying from a different city other than your home district. In that case, you need to submit the rental agreement and a copy of the latest utility bill (like electricity bill/gas bill), which acts as your current address proof

• Passport size photographs (6 copies)

• Medical Certificate: Referred as Form 1A and 1, which needs to be signed by a certified Government doctor/Medical practitioner (if applicable).

• Duly filled application form

The eligibility criteria vary along with the type/class of the motor vehicle and the type of Learner's Licence applied for. You need to satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

 

• Your age should be 16+ to apply for a two-wheeler licence and 18+ for a four-wheeler Learning Licence.

• You should be 20 years of age to apply for a transport vehicle Learning Licence. Further, you should have studied till class 8 and should have the experience of driving a light vehicle for a minimum period of one year.

• Once you obtain a Learner's Licence, you can then apply for a Permanent Driving Licence 30 days after the issue of the Learning Licence.

In some states, the state RTOs offer some additional features with the online application, like selecting the test slot for the Learner's Licence online test. In that case, you need to make a payment for the Learner's Licence application and the online test. After completing the application, you will get a mail stating the test slot and other details you need to present at the test venue. In states where the test slots are not provided with the online application or through email, you need to visit the RTO office and inquire about the slot for the online test.

Once you have a Learner's Licence, you can practise on roads by taking the help of the person holding a Permanent Driving Licence or through the guidance of a training school. This will help you get familiarised with traffic and road safety rules which will surely help you when you drive your vehicle. You should have a valid vehicle insurance policy to enhance your road safety cover. You can choose from the different insurance policies of the Bajaj Markets, which play the role of comprehensive coverage.