Before you decide to drive in India,
prepare yourself mentally to be able to deal with the chaotic traffic
condition on roads. Unfortunately, many drivers do not hesitate to flout
the traffic rules, which leads to disorder and mismanaged traffic.
Moreover, the roads are overloaded with all kinds of vehicles such as
buses, trucks, motorcycles, and cars. Hence, driving in India is not
easy, caution is highly advised if you still need to drive in the
country.
Road infrastructure
While the quality of most of the roads in major cities of
the country is fine, the maintenance is poor. The traffic does not move
in an orderly manner. Over-speeding, overtaking from the wrong side,
ignoring traffic signals and using inappropriate vehicles (with no
lights, no mirror, etc.) are common sights. All these lead to traffic
snarls and the slow movement of vehicles, especially during peak hours.
Driving in India needs lot more patience and mental
presence. Sometimes it is really difficult to anticipate the driver's
reaction. So, consider all the factors before you take the driving seat.
Initially, it might seem like a daunting task, but with time and
experience you will learn to deal with previously unexpected situations.
If you plan to stay in India for a few days or weeks, then
renting a car is a more feasible option. You may rent a car with a
chauffeur. This will help you to travel around more safely. In fact,
many expatriates prefer to hire a driver. If you still need to drive,
the international driving licence is recognised in India. However, if
you are here for a longer stay with a long-stay visa, you will have to
apply for an Indian driving licence.
To drive any motor vehicle in India, you must have and
Indian or an international driving license. The minimum age for driving
is 16 for motorcycles of 50cc or less and 18 for all other vehicles.
Good to know:
The driving in India is done on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left of the car.
Applying for driving licence
International driver's licence is valid for one year. To
obtain the international driver's licence from the Regional Transport
Office RTO, you must present a proof of address, a birth certificate, a
valid passport, valid visa and your driving licence from home.
If you plan to stay longer than a year, you will have to
apply for an Indian driving licence and join a driving school. You can
also apply for a driver's licence at your nearest local RTO. Generally,
it is the driving school that handles all the paperwork for which they
may charge a small fee.
For the driving licence application you will have to submit the following documents:
- A duly filled application form
- A copy of your residence permit
- Medical fitness form certified by a physician ensuring there are no medical problems that may interfere with your driving
- Proof of your address
- Passport-sized photographs
Once all your documents are verified and you have
completed your driving classes you will be issued a learner's licence,
which is a probationary driving licence valid for three months. A
permanent driving licence will be issued only after the completion of
three months of learner's licence and it will be valid till your
residence permit expires.
Good to know:
New smart card driving licences are now being issued in
major Indian cities, including Maharashtra. These are 4KB memory chips
that will contain all the information of the driver along with the photo
and signature. It also has unique grading system that will keep a
record of all the offenses committed, if any.
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