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 sarathi.nic.in. 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.1000/-.
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. 1,000/-
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 http://www.chdtransport.gov.in/forms/form2.pdf
The website for online application for permanent license http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/form4.pdf
