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 have access. In various Indian states, they are administered by the Regional Transport Authorities/Offices. 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. A modern photo of the driving licence can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts or age.
Background
Applications for a provisional driving licence can be made from the age of 16. Valid for driving a moped or gearless motorcycle from aged 16, and a car from aged 18 or older to drive any other type of vehicle. The common "All India Permit" allows the licensee to drive throughout the country. For driving commercial/transport vehicles, one should obtain endorsement in the driving licence to effect under s.3 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Until a driving test has been passed a driver may hold only a provisional licence and be subject to certain conditions. The conditions attached to provisional licences of a particular category of vehicle are:
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 licence for that category and transmission type, except in the case of solo motorcycles and vehicles of certain categories designed solely for one person.
Bus drivers must not carry any passenger except a person giving or receiving instruction.
After passing a driving test, the provisional licence may be surrendered in exchange for a full Indian licence for the relevant kind of vehicle. Full car licences allow use of mopeds, motorcycles and cars. A licence is valid for upto 40 years of age if applied before 30 years of age. Between 30-50 years of age it is valid till 10 years. From 50-55 year of age it is vaild until holders 60th birthday. Above 55 years of age, it is valid for 5 years under motor vehicles amendment act 2019. The driving licence is required to be renewed after expiry of its validity. It was previously 20 years validity.
Theory testing
Tests on basic driving rules are conducted at the RTOs when an individual applies for provisional licence. The theoretical test in India consists of basic road sign questions, which are the same for car and motorcycle tests:
Multiple choice questions – 15 questions with a choice of possible answers. At least 09 questions should be answered correctly to pass this section.
Verbal or written test
The theory test are completed on the computer, and both must be passed in order to pass the theory test.
Driving licence categories
This is a list of the categories that might be found on a driving licence in India.
MC EX50CC — motorcycles, light motor vehicle, and cars.
Motorcycles/Scooters of any engine capacity, with or without gears with an engine capacity of 50cc or more.
MC Without Gear or M/CYCL.WOG — motorcycles, Scooters without gears.All motorcycle
MC With Gear or M/CYCL.WG — all motorcycles.engine capacity more than 175cc
LMV-NT — for personal use only
LMV-INVCRG-NT — for personal use by Physically Handicapped Persons only
LMV-TR — for commercial transportation including light goods carrier.
LMV — including cars, jeeps, taxis, delivery vans.
LDRXCV -- for Commercial application of all hydraulic heavy equipment.
HMV -a person holding a lmv vehicle driving licence can only apply for heavy licence
HPMV
HTV Heavy Transport Vehicle
TRANS
TRAILERE — a person holding a heavy vehicle driving licence can only apply for heavy trailer licence
Most of the legislation regarding licensing is in the Rules of the Road Regulation and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Private/Commercial drivers should have an additional Badge if they are driving a taxi or any other public transport vehicle.
Points and endorsements
India uses cumulative points systems, broadly similar but different in detail in different countries, for offenders. Points are given for driving offences 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. 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. Violation of traffic signals, triple driving on motor cycle, using vehicles without registration or in unsafe condition may endorse and attract 3 negative points in each case. In case of two-wheelers, helmet laws is mandatory for the main rider and the pillion rider. Offences such as for drink or drug driving are recorded on the licence and the offender is prosecuted and imprisoned. Twelve points on the licence makes the driver liable to cancellation/suspension of driving licence for one year; accumulation of twelve points for the second consecutive time would lead to suspension of driving licence for five years.
Production
Drivers are legally obliged to carry a valid driving licence while driving. Under s.130 of 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. 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 the 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.
