Driving licence in India

Applications for a provisional driving license can be made from the age of 16. Valid for driving a moped or gear less motorcycle from aged 16,[2] and a car or any motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle who are aged 18 or older.[3] The common "All India Permit" allows the licensee to drive throughout the country.[4] For driving commercial/transport vehicles, one should obtain endorsement (and a minimum age of 20 years, in some states) in the driving license to effect under s.3(1) of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Until a driving test (which consists of three sections: verbal or written test (depending on the state), road sign test followed by a supervised driving examination)[5] has been passed a driver may hold only a provisional license and be subject to certain conditions.

The conditions attached to provisional licenses of a particular category of vehicle are:[3]

• L-plates must be conspicuously displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.
• Learner drivers of a particular category and transmission type of vehicle must be accompanied by somebody who has held a full driving license for that category and transmission type, except in the case of solo motorcycles and vehicles of certain categories designed solely for one person.
• Motorcycle riders must not carry any pillion passengers.
• Bus drivers must not carry any passenger except a person giving or receiving instruction.

Anyone applying for a driving license for the first time has to apply for a learner license (LLR) as a prerequisite.[6] If you have a learner’s permit, you are only permitted to drive while under a licensed driver’s supervision.

After passing a driving test, the provisional license may be surrendered in exchange for a full Indian license for the relevant kind of vehicle. Full car licenses allow use of mopeds, motorcycles and cars.

A license is valid until the age of 40, if applied before 30 years of age. Between 30 and 50 years of age, it is valid for 10 years. From 50 to 55 years of age, it is valid until the holder's 60th birthday. Above 55 years of age, it is valid for 5 years under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The driving license is required to be renewed after the expiry of its validity. It previously had 20 years of validity.[7]

Application of driving license in India can be done both by online or by self. The website is known as the Parivahan Seva. For the need or help and assistance for the issuing a driving license, one may approach the nearest government authorized driving license issuing center.

Tests on basic driving rules are conducted at the RTOs when an individual applies for a provisional license. The theoretical test in India consists of basic road sign questions, which are the same for car and motorcycle tests:

• Multiple choice questions – questions with a choice of possible answers. At least nine questions should be answered correctly to pass this section. The test can also consist of upto 20 questions of which the applicant must get atleast 14 questions correct.
• Verbal or written test (depending on the state).

The theory test is completed on the computer, and both must be passed in order to pass the theory test.

This is a list of the categories that might be found on a driving licence in India.

• MC 50CC (Motorcycle 50cc) — motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 50cc.
• MC EX50CC (Motorcycle more than 50cc) — motorcycles, light motor vehicle, and cars.
• Motorcycles/Scooters of any engine capacity, with or without gears with an engine capacity of 50cc or more (old category).
• MC Without Gear or M/CYCL.WOG (Motorcycle Without Gear) — motorcycles, scooters without gears, all motorcycles.
• MCWG or MC With Gear or M/CYCLWG (Motorcycle With Gear) — all motorcycles, engine capacity more than 175cc.
• LMV-NT (Light Motor Vehicle—Non Transport) — for personal use only.
• LMV-INVCRG-NT (Light Motor Vehicle—Invalid Carrige Non Transport) — for personal use by physically handicapped persons only.
• LMV-TR (Light Motor Vehicle—Transport) — for commercial transportation including light goods carrier.[8]
• 'LMV (Light Motor Vehicle)' — including cars, jeeps, taxis, delivery vans.(16th Apr 2018 GOI Ministry of Road Tran & Highways No. RT-11021/44/2017-MVL).
• LDRXCV (Loader, Excavator, Hydraulic Equipment) — for Commercial application of all hydraulic heavy equipment.
• HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle) — a person holding an LMV driving license can only apply for a heavy license.
• HPMV (Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle).
• HTV Heavy Transport Vehicle (Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle, Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle).
• TRANS (Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle, Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle).
• TRAILR — for all kinds of trailers.
• AGTLR — (Agricultural Tractor and Power Tiller) A person holding an AGTLR can drive an Agricultural tractor and Power tiller on farms, local roads, some Major District Roads and some highways without a trailer. (most of the highways are restricted for farm machinery and slow-moving equipment, some jurisdiction have different rules, so the operator need to go through the concerned Authority).
• Additional Endorsement of Driving License — (AEDL) Private/Commercial drivers should have an additional Badge if they are driving a taxi or any other public transport vehicle.
• IDL (International Driving License) — Driving license permit to be made separately to ride or drive in abroad places. This license from India Is valid in the listed countries. The places where the International Driving license is not acceptable, there one have to give the test to get it from that nation to drive the cars or ride the bikes there.

In order to drive a Vehicle carrying hazardous goods, the driver must have an additional Hazard Goods Endorsement in addition to a Transport class license or LMV class on their license. To drive a motor vehicle in hilly terrain or a ghat section the driver needs a Hill Driver Endorsement.

Most of the legislation regarding licensing is in the Rules of the Road Regulation and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

India uses cumulative points systems, broadly similar but different in detail in different countries, for offenders.

Points are given for driving offenses by law courts, and the license is endorsed accordingly. An Indian driving licence may be endorsed by the courts for various offenses, not only for those committed whilst driving or in charge of a vehicle.[9] If the individual committing the offence does not hold a valid driving licence the driver is subject to be penalised or face imprisonment of up to 3 months.[10] Violation of traffic signals, triple driving on motorcycle/scooter/two-wheeler, using vehicles without registration or in unsafe condition may endorse and attract 3 negative points in each case.[11]

In the case of two-wheelers, helmet laws are mandatory for the main rider and the pillion rider. Offences such as for drink or drug driving are recorded on the license and the offender is prosecuted and imprisoned.[12]

Twelve points on the license makes the driver liable to cancellation/suspension of driving license for one year; accumulation of twelve points for the second consecutive time would lead to suspension of driving license for five years.[11]

Drivers are legally obliged to carry a valid driving license while driving. Under s.130 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; a police officer or any other official authorised by the government can ask for vehicle-related documents, and the driver should produce them within 15 days at the police station (or the concerned department).[13]

The law permits officials to seize a license, and issue a temporary one for a specified time. The law also allows the state government to set fines or prison terms for minor traffic violations, and specifies who has the rights to enforce these rules.

Every driving license has a maximum number of endorsements allowed. If the driver does not follow the traffic rules or causes any fault, then a penalty fine is issued and an endorsement put on the license. An excessive number of endorsements may lead to cancellation.[11]

• Driving in India
• Speed limits in India
• Road signs in India