In today’s day and age, knowing how to drive a motor vehicle is an essential skill set that one needs to master to swiftly travel around places. With road transport becoming/proving to be an easy mode/means of travel, many people are opting for a motor vehicle that would help them reach places. But first, to be able to freely drive the motor vehicle on Indian roads, you need to own a valid driving licence (DL).
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 makes it mandatory for citizens to hold a valid driving licence to drive on Indian roads. It clearly states that an individual cannot drive a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence (DL). The first step towards getting a driving licence in India is to procure a learning licence (LL).
A learner’s licence is a document issued by the regional transport office (RTO) that acts as a provisional and restricted driving licence. To get a learner’s licence, one must be aware of all the traffic rules and regulations and must pass the written test.
After getting a learner’s licence, you will be allowed to practice driving on Indian roads provided you are accompanied/supervised by a person holding a valid driving licence. You can apply for this type of licence only by the age of 16.
Before you get a driving licence, obtaining a learner’s licence for the specific class of vehicle is a must. And for this, knowing about various types of learner’s licence is important.
A motor insurance policy is mandatory for every vehicle registered as per The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
Learner's licence is issued to a candidate on the basis of the class of the vehicle he wants to learn to drive. Pertaining to that vehicle type, here is a list of types of learner’s licence you can get in India.
In India, driving licence and learner’s licence is issued on the basis of the following categories:
For Personal Use:
For Commercial Use:
| Types of Learner's Licence | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles with gear | The applicant must be at least 18 years old. |
| Motorcycles without gear with capacity up to 50cc | The applicant must be at least 16 years old. For applicants less than 18 years, consent of a parent or guardian is required. |
| Commercial heavy vehicles and transport vehicle | The applicant must be at least 18 years old and must have finished schooling till 8th standard. In a few states, the minimum age requirement for a learner’s licence for this vehicle type is 20 years. |
| General requirements | The applicant must be well-versed with traffic rules and regulations and must have valid address and age proof. |
To ensure a hassle-free experience while obtaining a learner’s licence, it’s imperative to have all the necessary documents in place. While filing an application for learner’s licence, here is a list of documents that an applicant needs to keep handy. To apply for a learner’s licence in India, the following documents are required:
Applicants obtaining learner’s licence online are required to submit scanned copies of the below-mentioned documents.
Age Proof (You can submit any of the below documents)
Address Proof (You can submit any of the below documents)
Other documents
Here are a few reasons for getting a learner’s licence in India:
Here is why it is important for you to get a learner’s licence in India:
A learner’s licence in India can be obtained via two ways, i.e. online and offline. It’s best to opt for a way that will suit your budget, requirement and also help you save time.
• How to apply for a learning licence online in India?
With technological advancement, many state RTO websites in India allow you to file learner’s licence application online. Though the steps might vary from state to state, here’s how the general application process is: Look up your state transport website online. Check if it has online learner’s licence application facility. If your state’s transport website allows you to file an application online, then here’s the process that you will need to follow: You will be required to fill up basic details such as your name, your father’s name, district, postal code, Aadhar card number, etc.
You will be required to submit scanned copies of your age and address proofs. Few state transport websites allow you to select the particular time slot for your learner’s licence test, while others offer you a form which you will have to submit at your nearest RTO before scheduling your test. If you are able to schedule your test learner’s licence test online, then you will have to make the payment online and you will receive a receipt in your mailbox which you will have to present at the time of the test. Reach the RTO office or learner’s licence test facility on time to take the learner’s licence test and avoid any delay.
• How to apply for a learning license offline in India?
If you are not sure about the online application process or if your state transport department does not offer you an online application service, then you can easily apply for a learning licence at your nearest RTO office.
Read the steps involved in obtaining driving licence offline:
To check your knowledge related to traffic rules and regulations, you will either have to give a written test online or offline. This procedure is mandatory for all the learner’s licence applicants.
Here are a few important points for you to note while giving the leaner’s licence test:
What is the fees for Learner’s licence?
The fee for leaner’s licence is Rs. 150 which you will have to pay at the time of submitting your documents and application form.
Is learner’s licence valid all over India?
Yes, the learner’s licence is valid all over India but only for 6 months from the date of issue.
How to obtain duplicate Learner’s licence?
You can obtain a duplicate learner’s licence in India by submitting all the necessary documents i.e. the age proof, address proof, 2 passport-size photographs and information such as your learner’s licence number, your date of birth, your name and parent’s name, etc. You will also be required to submit a police report stating you have misplaced/ lost your learner’s licence. The cost for availing a duplicate learner’s licence copy is Rs.50 and you can easily avail it from your nearest RTO office.
Is my learner’s licence available for commercial vehicles too?
No, your learner’s licence cannot be applicable for a commercial vehicle as it is issued on the basis of the class of vehicle.
What is the validity of a learner’s licence and is it same all over India?
The validity of a learner’s licence is for 6 months and the same time period is applicable all over India.
Do I have to drive a vehicle at the time of my learner’s licence test?
No, you don’t have to drive a vehicle at the time of your learner’s licence test as this document is issued to you for learning to drive a vehicle in the presence of a person having permanent DL. You will just have to go through a written test online or offline and answer basic details related to traffic rules.
