Types of driving licence in India plays a key role when taking certain vehicles on the road. Driving any vehicle in India requires documentation that is way too important to ride your vehicle on a busy road.
It doesn’t matter how pro or novice you are in driving your vehicle, if you don’t have a driving license, you must never take your vehicle in traffic.
Without a driving license, you can be liable to a hefty fine by a traffic inspector. Apart from fine, you can be subjected to several other consequences that can be harmful to both you and your family members.
There are several types of driving licence in India with distinct features, let’s understand them in a more comprehensive way.
What is a Driving License?
A driving permit or a driving license is a legal authorization or documentation that confirms your identity to operate one or more vehicles like cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and others on a public road.
These types of driving licence in India are often the size of a credit card and are made of plastic. You need to go through a driving test in order to obtain it.
The difficulty of the driving test differs considerably between jurisdictions because of factors like age, practice, and competency. Racing carholders too need this legal document.
Also Read:- Top 5 Low-Budget Sports Car in India.
Why is a Driving License Important?
A driving license is a legal document that allows a person to drive on a public road. This legitimate document certifies that its owner is well aware of the traffic laws and signs, and has the potential to drive a vehicle in traffic.
The government has made it mandatory for every individual to keep a valid driving license with them when they are driving their vehicle, under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
If you don’t have a driver's license with you, then it can inflict a hefty penalty on you. In some cases, a person is often sent to prison because of violating this law. No matter if it is a used car or a brand-new one, a driving license is required by every car holder.
Apart from these, keeping a driver's license has several other advantages. For instance, if you lose it somewhere, there is a high chance that it can come back to you because this document also acts as your identity card.
Nevertheless, we will recommend you to immediately file an FIR if you lose it, in case if somebody misuses it.
Also Read:- Used Car Dealers in Delhi.
How Many Types of Driving Licence in India?
Not only in India, there are multiple types of driving licenses in the world. But in India, we have 4 most important ones. Let’s discuss them in a bit more detail.
1. Learner’s License
Before getting a permanent license, the RTO or Road Transport Authority/Office issues a learner’s license to people. Its validity is not more than 6 months. This means that you have to sharpen your driving skills within this fixed time frame.
Make sure the holder of this license is not left alone to drive on the busy road. He/she should always have a mature attendant who can guide them in every step.
2. Permanent License
When this waiting period of 6 months is over, the Road Transport Authority/Office or RTO provides a permanent license to the holder of the learner’s license. It is given to all the car holders no matter if they are having used car or a brand-new Tata vehicle with the best mileage functions.
In order to attain this license, the applicant should have to be over 18 years old or above and should pass their driving test. The application process for getting this license is done via online mode hence the whole process is seamless and hassle-free.
The PL or permanent license is given to the applicant for private vehicles such as bikes and cars. The meaning of this license simply means that RTO is assured of your driving skills.
Also Read:- Used Car Dealers in Mumbai.
3. Commercial Driving License
This is another types of driving licence in India that permits a driver to drive heavy vehicles on a busy road. These vehicles are generally used to transport passengers or deliver goods from one place to another.
In order to get this commercial driving license, the driver must have cleared their 8th grade. With this license, RTO is assured that the vehicle driver is accountable for not only his safety but also for others.
4. International Driving Permit
If you want to rent and drive a vehicle in a foreign land, then you need to apply for an international driving permit in order to become eligible to drive the vehicle on your own in a foreign country.
But you must keep in mind that this license can only be granted to you if you already have a permanent driving license. Unlike your driver’s license, the international driving permit has validity for just one year. After expiry, you need to apply for it again.
Driving License Categories with Type of Vehicles in India
You must have a basic overview of the types of driving licence in India with the type of vehicles in India. As a result, we have come up with the below-mentioned categories. Let’s learn vehicle category list in India in a comprehensive way.
• MC 50cc:- Vehicles that have less than or equal to 50cc engine capacity.
• LMV-NT:- Vehicles such as motor cars and jeeps come under the category of light motor vehicles but they are considered a non-transport class.
• FVG:- Vehicles that have gears such as mopeds and scooters.
• MC EX50CC:- Vehicles that have gears with 50cc engine capacity such as motorcycles.
• MCWG:- Vehicles with and without gears such as motorcycles.
• HGMV:- Vehicles such as large trucks, trailers, and other vehicles in order to transport goods from one place to another.
• HPMV:- Vehicles running for commercial purposes that have an All India Permit in order to carry passengers.
• MGV:- Medium goods vehicles.
• HMV:- Heavy motor vehicles.
• Trailer:- People who hold licenses for heavy motor vehicles can apply for this.
• LMV:- Light goods vehicles. Light motor vehicle means jeeps, delivery vans, and taxis.
Documents Required for Obtaining a Driving License in India
There are several documents that are essentially required in order to obtain several types of driving licence in India. All these documents are listed below one by one. You must have a look at them in order to learn about them in a better way in order to acquire the type of licence.
- Address Proof (Any one):-
• Permanent House Agreement
• LIC policy bond
• Voters ID Card
• Ration Card
• Electricity bill issued in applicant name
• Aadhar Card
• Passport
• Temporary address proof (Registered Rental agreement and LPG bill/electricity bill)
- Age Proof (Any one):-
• Birth Certificate
• Pan Card
• Passport
• SSC Certificate
• School transfer certificate with date of birth printed on it.
- Other Documents:-
• 3 passport-size photographs while applying for a learner's license.
• 3 passport-size photographs while applying for a permanent driving licence
• Application Fees
• Duly fill out an application form.
• For applicants above 40 years, a medical certificate is mandatory.
Phases of Availing a Driving License in India
Not everyone is able to obtain a driver’s license in India and that too for the different types of vehicles. There are different types of driving licence in India and different eligibility requirements in order to obtain them.
Nevertheless, the LMV+MCWG (Light Motor Vehicle + Motorcycle With Gear) license class is sufficient. In order to get an LMV+MCWG license you must be not less than 18 years of age. You should have to be literate and fit both mentally and physically.
If you need a driving license, then you will need to go through two phases. One is the learning phase and another is earning a permanent driving license. Let’s learn all about these phases in a panoramic way.
Phase 1 (Learning Phase)
In this phase you apply for a learner’s licence. Learner’s licence is one of several types of driving licence in India. This license has a validity of not more than 6 months. In this time period, you need to polish your driving skills before applying for a permanent driving license.
During this time, it is crucial to stick an ‘L’ in red on the rear and front of your vehicle. Throughout this phase, you must be with someone elder who can accompany you on how to drive on a public road. This applies to two-wheelers too.
If there is no one to accompany you, then it may cause frequent accidents or damage in the car which can lead your car’s engine to produce a knocking sound.
Phase 2 (Earning Phase)
When your first phase is over, you can apply for a permanent driving license. A permanent driving licence is one of the most important types of driving licence in India.
In order to obtain this license you need to clear a driving test. Only after this, you will be given this license. If you are not able to clear the exam or sit for the same, then you can reapply for the test in 7 days.
This license is valid for 20 years from the date of issuance or till the holder of this license reaches the age of 50, either of which comes ahead of time. Make sure to renew it before the date of expiry.
Conclusion
Now, you would have understood how much importance a driver’s license carries in someone’s life. Without a driving license, you cannot drive your vehicle on a public road. But if you do so, then you will need to pay a hefty fine or you can sent to prison as well.
There are several types of driving licence in India that you can obtain from RTO. Make sure to follow the phases that we have explained above for acquiring the license.
If you want to buy a used car in order to learn to drive well, then make sure to connect with an expert used car dealer who can help you bountifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I get a driving license in India in 2023?
Ans. You can get a permanent driving license in India by following the below mentioned steps carefully:
• Visit https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/
• Select your concerned state.
• From “Driving License” menu, click on “New Driving License.”
• Enter your “Learning License Number” and “Date of Birth” to move forward.
• Complete your application form.
• Click on the “Next” button to move forward.
Q. What are LMV and HMV?
Ans. In order to transport medium goods, LMV and HMV vehicles are used. LMV means Light Motor Vehicles like motorcars, taxis, vans, and jeeps whereas HMV is known as Heavy Motor Vehicles.
Q. How many types of Driving Licence in India?
Ans. There are four type of licence for different vehicle category list in India that are mentioned below:
- MC with Gear or M/CYCL.WG:- All motorcycles even with gear.
- MGV:- Used for medium goods vehicles.
- LMV:- Light motor vehicle means delivery vans, taxis, and jeeps.
- HMV:- Heavy Motor Vehicles.
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