The
driving license not only gives you the freedom to roam the different
parts of India, but also holds an important part in your day-to-day
life. Possession of the Driving License is mandatory for any person who
wishes to drive a vehicle It is an official document that is issued by
the government of India, allowing individuals to ride or drive their
vehicles such as a bus, truck, car or a bike. The motor driving license
can be of different types depending on the purpose for which it is
issued and the kind of vehicle for which the license is issued. The
regional transportation office or the RTO, is the designated government
authority who looks after the whole system of licensing that includes
verifying and inspecting the driver’s license form (DL form) and further
issuing the drivers identification card.
What Is A DL Form?
A
DL form or a driver’s license form is an application form that is
required to obtain a driving license or an identification to drive your
vehicle in any part of India. This form is also required to renew,
replace your stolen license or to get a duplicate driving license.
The DL Form
is available in the Regional Transport Office or the RTO of that
particular state. No individual is permitted to drive any motorized
vehicle without a valid driving license. You can also download the form
online from the RTO’s website.
If
you are a learner and wish to drive or ride a vehicle, it is important
for you to obtain a learner’s driving license first, and then apply for a
permanent one. With the improving technology, it becomes hassle-free
for you to apply for the driver’s license online at the click of the
mouse.
What Are The Different Types of Licenses in India?
In
India, depending on your vehicle class, a driving license is issued. To
obtain one, it is imperative to know the eligibility criteria as well
as the different types of licenses issued by the Indian government.
Different types of licenses and the age of eligibility are given below:
- Motorcycles with engine capacity below 50cc
- Motorcycles with gear, or engine capacity above 50cc, LMVs including cars
- Motorcycles with gear
- Motorcycles with any engine capacity but without gear like scooters
- Light Motor Vehicles including motor car, jeep, taxi, etc –
- Light Motor Vehicles for the personal use only
- Light Motor Vehicles used for commercial purposes
- Heavy Passenger Vehicle (holding license for LMV for 1 year)
- Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle (holding license for LMV for 1 year)
- Trailer license– (holding license for heavy vehicle for 1 year)
What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Obtaining A Driving License in India?
The
eligibility to obtain a driving license depends on the vehicle class
and the types of driving license applied for. They are mentioned below:
How Will You Obtain A Learner’s License? – DL Form No.2
For
obtaining a permanent license, first you need to have a learner’s
license. Application for the learner’s license can be deposited
personally or through the website of the RTO of the area in which you
belong to. This must be done with Form No.2.
With
the same form, you can also apply for the extension of time for the
driving test. The name of the website is https://www.e-itca.org/. Be very careful
while filling the form as any mistake may be construed as a deliberate
attempt to misguide. You can select the date when you want to appear for
the test. It is important for you to fill correct personal details such
as:
- Type of license required
- Name, father’s name, present and permanent addresses
- Date and place of birth
- Educational qualifications
- Identification marks
- The blood group of the applicant including the Rhesus factor (whether positive or negative)
- Three recent copies of passport sized photograph
- Proof of fee paid
After
applying for the learner license, you need to undergo and pass a short
online test conducted by the RTO. The number of questions differs from
state to state. Usually there are 10 questions and you have to answer at
least 6 of them correctly.
What Are The Questions Generally Asked In The Online Test?
The questions asked are mostly related to the different traffic norms in India. These include:
- Hand signal while starting the car
- Hand signal before stopping the car
- Hand signals before making a left turn or a right turn
- Interpretation of the green, yellow and red traffic lights
- Rules relating to speed limits
- Interpretation of signs like school ahead, no overtaking, etc
- Rules regarding giving priority to ambulances
- Rules regarding overtake
How to Apply For Driving License – Form No.4
Once you receive the learner’s license, you need to apply for the driving license in DL Form No.4. You need to ensure that you apply after 30 days of receiving the learner’s license but before 180 days.
It
is important for you to drive in a private car in case you wish to
apply for a private driver’s license To apply for a commercial license,
it is important for you to get a driving test training from a registered
motor driving school or a driving school authorized by the State
government. You should make sure that your trainer himself holds a valid
driving license.
While submitting the DL Form, you need to attach the following documents along with it:
- Proof of Nationality
- Proof of Citizenship
- One copy of passport sized recent photograph
- Original certificate from the motor training school from where you have undergone training, if it is for professional driver
Once
your training is done, you have to attend a practical test wherein you
will have to drive the car (which you have to bring yourself). If your
performance is satisfactory, you will be eligible for a driving license.
If the RTO officials are satisfied with the documents provided by you,
you will get the permanent driving license too.
The above rules are applicable for obtaining motorcycle driving license as well.
What Is The Validity Period Of A Driving License?
A
permanent driving license for private vehicle is valid for 20 years or
till the license holder attains the age of 50 years, whichever happens
earlier. But for commercial vehicles, the validity is 3 years.
How Will You Renew Your Driving License? – DL Form No. 9
It
is an offence to drive a vehicle after your driving license has
expired. The expired license can be renewed at any time within 5 years.
At the time of application of driving license renewal, you need to deposit DL Form No. 9
duly filled up, two copies of recent passport sized photographs, the
current driving license that you possess, proof of age and residence and
the required fee to the RTO. If you are over 40 years old, you will
have to deposit a medical certificate in DL Form No. 1 along with the above-mentioned documents.
If
you are applying for renewal of license for heavy motor vehicles, then
you also need to furnish a certificate of refreshing training.
If
all the above-stated documents are found to be in order by the RTO,
then you will be provided with the renewed driving license.
What to do if your License is Lost, Stolen or Mutilated? – DL Form -LLD
You
can apply for and obtain a duplicate license in case you have lost your
driving license or if it has been stolen or mutilated. You must submit
the application by filling the Form- LLD. Firstly, lodge a FIR (First
Information Report) or NCR (Non-Cognizable Report) with your nearest
police station in case of loss or theft of the license. To obtain the
duplicate license, you will have to submit the FIR/NCR along with an
application in DL Form LLD, your address proof, self-declaration of fitness in DL Form No. 1 and the prescribed fee.
How to Apply For Change of Address? – DL Form No.8
For
an application of change of address, you need to visit the nearest RTO
or apply through web by filling the Form No.8, along with your existing
driving license, four copies of recent passport sized photographs and
address proof (of new address). The RTO will charge a fee and the change
will be made once all the documents have been reviewed.
How To Obtain An International Driving License? – DL Form No. 4A
This
is a type of driving license which is required by a person who has
planned to either visit or settle down in a foreign country. This is
required as the normal driving license is not treated as valid in
foreign countries. This license is issued from different zonal offices
of the transport department. This license is valid for one year. The
validity period is short as you are required to get accustomed to drive
in changed scenario like left hand drive in most of the countries
whereas we have right hand drive in India. The amount of the fee for the
International Driving License is Rs.3000/-.
The documents which are required to be deposited are:
- Application Form for International Driving Permit or IDP
- A valid proof to prove that you are an Indian National and an attested copy of the proof.
- A valid permanent driver’s license. The validity period of the license should be more than a year from the date of the application. If the validity is lower than a year, then the candidate has to take a fresh driving license.
- Valid address proof with one attested copy of the same
- Valid Passport whose expiry is beyond a year from the date of application and an attested copy of the same
- Valid Visa where the validity is more than one year and the attested copy of it
- Five copies of your recent passport size photograph
- The medical certificate in the prescribed DL Form No.1-A
- The proof of payment of the fees of Rs. 3000/-
- It is better to carry the air ticket with you as you may have to show it
You
can expect to get delivery of the International Driving license the
next day. But sometimes it may take a maximum of 3 days for the
processing. Generally, if the application is deposited in the morning,
there are chances of getting the delivery on the same day.
The website for online application for learner license is https://www.e-itca.org/applications
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