Guidelines for obtaining Driving license-India

DRIVING LICENSE:-An appropriate driving License is a legal requirement for operating any motor vehicle। A driver's license which is issued by the competent authority of any State/Union territory is valid throughout the Indian Union. CATEGORY AGE NOT LESS THAN REMARKS a) Motor cycles of special category 16 years a) A motorcycle of engine capacity not more than 50cc falls in this category. The application must be signed by a parent or guardian. b) Private cars and motorcycles 18 years b) All light motor vehicles not used for carrying passengers/goods for hire are covered in this category. c) Transport vehicles 20 years c) All buses, lorries, auto rickshaws, etc. fall in this category.

LEARNER'S LICENSE Any person who wishes to drive a motor vehicle has to first obtain a learner's license for the purpose of learning। The person must then be tested before a permanent license is granted. A person should not be less than 20 years of age if he wants to learn to drive a transport vehicle.

REQUIREMENTS
1 Proof of age Documents accepted for proof of age are Birth/School Leaving Certificate, Passport, etc. 2 Proof of residence This can be supported by documents like the passport, ration card, electoral roll , electricity or telephone bill, etc. 3 Medical Certificate It is required only in case of transport vehicles and can be obtained from any registered medical practitioner in the prescribed form. 4 Photograph 3 copies of passport size. 5 Fee A fee of Rs. 15 should be paid.
A learner's license is valid only for a period of six months। If the driving test for a permanent license is not passed during this period, a fresh learner's license needs to be obtained .

RESTRICTIONS
A person who holds a learner's license is permitted to drive only if he is accompanied by a duly licensed driver who is sitting in a position from where he can control the vehicle and bring it to a stop if required. The vehicle must display 'L' painted signs, both in the front and the rear end of the vehicle.A person holding a learner's license for a motorcycle is not permitted to carry any pillion-rider except the person who is required to be present for imparting instructions and ensuring safety (as mentioned above).

PERMANENT LICENSE
A Permanent license of the appropriate class will be granted after the successful completion of a driving test conducted by the R।T.O. The test for the issue of the Permanent license is conducted after a minimum of 30 days from the date of issue of the learner's license. In case of failure, a retest can be requested but not before a period of 7 days.

VALIDITY
Transport vehicles: 3 years All other vehicles: 5 years, or up to the age of 50 years, whichever is more . After the age of 50, the license will be renewed for a period of 5 years at a time.
REQUIREMENTS
Photograph: 3 copies passport size Fee: Rs. 600 for driving test Rs. 250 for लाईसेन्स

RENEWAL
The application for renewal must be accompanied by :
The driving license Medical Certificate in case of transport vehicle 3 copies of photograph Renewal fee of Rs. 150
a) An Expired license is valid for 30 days and can be renewed during this grace period without a penalty। b) A license expired by more than 30 days can be renewed on payment of a penalty, provided the application is made within a period of five years from the date of expiry. The penalty is charged at Rs. 50/- per year or a part thereof. c) The License can be renewed through any RTO in the country, irrespective of the place of its issue. If a driver changes his residence, the new address should be incorporated in the license.

DUPLICATE
If the original is defaced or lost, a duplicate license can be issued on the production of :
The License number 3 copies of photograph Fee of Rs. 250 (for laminated license the fee will be higher as prescribed by the RTO).
a) The application for duplicate license must be made to the same RTO that has issued the original license। b) In case the license number is not available, the application has to be made to any other RTO, the procedure is same as applicable for the fresh license (learner license, driving test, etc.)

INTERNATIONAL LICENSE: International Driving Permit can be issued by the RTO or other motoring associations like BHARAT MOTOR TRAINING SCHOOL which are authorized by the government. Such a license is valid for one year.
REQUIREMENTS
Current Indian Driving License valid for at least another year.
CURRENT PASSPORT
3 copies of a recent photograph Fee of Rs. 1500