When it comes to driving, a driving license is one of the most important identification documents in India. It is extremely important to have a license before you drive a car since it works as your permit to drive on Indian roads. Most people already know what a driving license in India is, but how much do you actually know about it? Let’s detail it out.
A Driving license is a document that is issued by the Indian government which permits people to drive different types of vehicles on the road. In India, the license is issued by the Regional Transport Office or the Regional Transport Authority (RTO / RTA) of each state. The license is most commonly referred to as a DL. It helps in confirming that the driver has:
The DL consists of a registration number and a passport-sized photograph of the license owner for the purpose of identification. Along with this, the driving license has a rubber stamp, the signature of the RTO officer-in-charge, and the address of the office that issued the DL.
Driving licenses are of different types, which are issued based on the type of vehicle that you want to drive. Following are the main types of licenses that you should be aware of: –
If you are learning how to drive a vehicle in India, it is mandatory to have a learner’s license. This acts as a provisional license that allows you to practice driving on the road. However, a person having a permanent DL must be accompanying you. To acquire a learner’s license, the applicant must have good knowledge of road rules and should have passed a written or online test.
Once you finish learning how to drive and pass the driving test, you will receive a permanent driver’s license, 30 days after receiving the learner’s license. There is a particular time period for which this license is valid, after which you have to apply for the renewal of your driver license.
If you wish to drive in foreign countries, you need to have an international driving permit (IDP) which acts as an official travel document and is certified by the United Nations (UN). The IDP is given to tourists who are travelling to foreign countries; for an Indian citizen travelling abroad, the IDP must be applied for in India.
The light motor vehicle license allows you to drive vehicles such as autos, taxis, delivery vans, jeeps, and so on. On the other hand, a heavy motor vehicle license is for those driving buses, cranes, trucks, and similar vehicles. Both these licenses are commercial licenses that permit an individual to drive a commercial vehicle as authorised by the RTO of the state. Applicants need to get their learner's license before they apply for a light or heavy motor vehicle license.
To get a driving license in India, the eligibility depends on the type of vehicle that you want to drive.
1. For a motorcycle without gears, up to 50cc, the applicant must be at least 16 years of age and the consent of a parent or guardian is needed if the applicant is below 18.
2. To acquire a license for motorcycles with gears, the applicant must be 18 years old.
3. For commercial heavy and transport vehicles, the applicant should have completed their education up to 8th standard at least and must be more than 18 years old. In some states, the age requirement is 20 years.
While applying for a driving license, you need to submit a number of documents like your birth certificate, PAN card, passport, 10th class mark sheet, transfer certificate from any school for any class with your date of birth printed on it, AADHAR card, and so on. Know About These Documents in Detail
Point to Note: A general requirement for acquiring a driving license is that the applicant must be well-versed with the traffic rules and regulations and should have valid address and age proofs. Also, keep a track of the license's expiry date as it will help you get your driver license renewal process started on time so that there is no gap in its validity. At Maruti Suzuki Driving School, we provide world-class training to help you become a confident and responsible driver and offer license assistance as well. Come, get to know us. better.