| Date First Issued: | 1939 |
| Using Jurisdiction: | District level Regional Transport Officer of Respective States and Union Territories |
| Valid Jurisdictions: | India |
| Document Type: | Driving Licence |
| Purpose: | Driving a motor vehicle Identification |
| Expiration: | 20 Years (before 2010) until the age of 40 10 Years (between 40-65 years of age) 5 Years (65 Years of age or older) |
In India, a driving licence is an official document that authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public has access. In various Indian states, they are administered by the Regional Transport Authorities/Offices (RTA/RTO). A driving licence is required in India by any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other road defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This act sets limits on the minimum age for vehicle operation ranging from 16 to 20, depending on specific circumstances.[1] A modern photo of the driving licence can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts, such as proof of identity (e.g. when opening a bank account) or age (e.g. when applying for a mobile connection).
Application for a provisional driving licence can be made from the age of 16. Provisional licences allow the holder to drive a moped or gearless motorcycle from age 16,[2] or a car, or any motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, from age 18.[3] The common "All India Permit" allows the licensee to drive throughout the country.[4] For driving commercial vehicles, one should obtain an endorsement (and a minimum age of 20 years, in some states) in the driving licence to effect under s.3(1) of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Until a driving test—consisting of a verbal or written test (depending on the state), a road sign test, and a supervised driving examination[5] —has been passed, a driver may hold only a provisional licence and is subject to certain conditions:[3]
Anyone applying for a driving licence for the first time has to apply for a learner licence (LLR) as a prerequisite.[6] Holders of a learner's permit are only permitted to drive while under a licensed driver's supervision.
After passing a driving test, the provisional licence may be surrendered in exchange for a full licence for the relevant kind of vehicle. Full car licences allow use of mopeds, motorcycles and cars.
A licence is valid until the age of 40 if the holder 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 licence is required to be renewed after the expiry of its validity. It previously had 20 years of validity.[7]
Applications for driver's licences in India can be submitted online or in person. The website is known as the Parivahan Seva. Assistance in applying for a driver's licence can be sought at government-authorized driving-licence-issuing centers.
Tests on basic driving rules are conducted at the RTOs when an individual applies for a provisional licence. This test consists of basic road sign questions, which are the same for car and motorcycle tests:
The basic test is completed on a computer, and both sections must be passed in order to pass.
See also: Car classification.
This is a list of the categories that might be found on driving licences in India.
In order to drive a vehicle carrying hazardous goods, the driver must have an additional Hazardous Goods endorsement, in addition to a transport-, or LMV-class licence.
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.
Drivers are legally obliged to carry a valid driving licence 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).[9]
The law permits officials to seize a licence, 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 licence 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 licence. An excessive number of endorsements may lead to cancellation.
India uses a cumulative points systems for offenders, which is broadly similar, but different in detail, to those in different countries.
Points are given for driving offenses by law courts, and the licence is endorsed accordingly. An Indian driving licence may be endorsed by the courts for various offences, not only for those committed whilst driving or in charge of a vehicle.[10] If the individual committing the offence does not hold a valid driving licence the driver may be subject to imprisonment of up to 3 months.[11] Violation of traffic signals, triple driving on motorcycle/scooter/two-wheeler, using vehicles without registration or in unsafe condition may acquire 3 negative points in each case.[12]
In the case of two-wheelers, helmet laws are mandatory for both the main rider and the pillion rider. Offences such as for drunk or drugged driving are recorded on the licence; and the offender is prosecuted and liable to being imprisoned.[13]
Twelve points on the licence makes the driver liable to cancellation/suspension of the driving licence for one year; accumulation of twelve points for the second consecutive time would lead to suspension of the driving licence for five years.