Driving a car or a two-wheeler is a valuable skill that can make your life easier. If you are an Indian citizen, you might already know the importance of having a valid driving license. As per Indian laws, you may not ever drive on Indian roads without some form of valid documentation. Which means that, if you want to learn to drive, even if it is with a motor driving school and in their modified car, you need to procure a learner´s license first. No motor driving school will allow you to drive their car without you acquiring a learner´s license first, anyway. So let's get to know more about a learner's license and how one may acquire it, without further ado!
If you are slightly familiar with traffic rules and regulations, you might know that the driver must hold a driving license. If you want to obtain a valid driving license, the first step would be to apply for a learner's license. The learner's license permits you to practise driving on Indian roads legally.
Each respective state has Regional Transport Office (RTO), which issues the learner's license. You should be acquainted with traffic sense and rules to procure a learner's license. The RTO will issue you with a learner's license once you pass the online or written test.
Once you get your learner's license, you can start practising driving on Indian roads. It is also important to highlight that you require a learner's license to even sign up for a driving course in a motor driving school and before applying for a permanent license.
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The RTO issues learner's licenses and permanent driving licenses based on the class of motor vehicle. The eligibility criteria will also significantly differ depending on the vehicle type.
|
Category of Use |
License Class |
Vehicle Type |
|
Personal use |
MC 50CC (Motorcycle 50 cc) |
Motorbikes with 50cc or less than 50cc engine capacity |
|
LMV - NT |
Light automobiles are utilized for non-transport purposes. |
|
|
FVG |
Motorbikes of any engine capacity but with no additional gears such as mopeds and scooters |
|
|
MC EX50CC |
Motorbikes with an engine capacity of 50cc or higher. It also includes motorcycles with gear and Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) |
|
|
MCWG or M / CYCL.WG |
All types of motorbikes, including motorbikes with gear |
|
|
Commercial Use |
HGMV |
Heavy goods motor vehicles |
|
LMV - TR |
Light motor vehicles used for commercial purposes |
|
|
HPMV |
All India permits for cars or trucks or open licenses. It also includes heavy motor passenger vehicles. |
|
|
LMV - NT |
Light motor vehicles for non-transport purposes |
|
|
MGV |
Medium goods vehicles |
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The eligibility criteria for a learner's license will depend on which class of motor vehicle you want to drive. Below, we have mentioned the eligibility for each motor vehicle class:
Photo Credit: pixabay.com
If you decide that you want to try your hands on wheels, make sure to opt for a learner's license!
Based on the category of vehicle you wish to drive and the required age for it, apply to your local RTO online or offline, filling out the form on their website and attaching the relevant documents (address proof, ID proof, age proof and parental consent in case of a minor). You will be given a date and time slot for a written test to be undertaken at the RTO. The test will quiz you on road rules and traffic signage. Once you clear the test, your leaner´s license will be issued and you may start learning to drive/ride your car/bike on the roads. Please note that a learner´s license requires you to hang an L-board on your vehicle and you are not allowed to drive alone. You must at all times be accompanied by a co-passenger with a valid permanent license.
Your learner´s license is valid for 6 months and one month after its issue, you may apply to the RTO for a permanent license.
