Learning License in India: All You Need to Know!

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.

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)

• PAN Card
• Birth Certificate
• Mark sheet of 10th class
• Passport
• Transfer certificate from school with a mention of the date of birth

Address Proof (You can submit any of the below documents)

• Aadhar Card
• Ration Card
• LIC Policy Bond
• Passport
• Telephone or electricity bill of the recent month
• If you are a resident of another city and are staying on rent, then you can submit registered house rent agreement along with recent utility bills.

Other documents

• Application fees for learner’s licence
• At least 6 passport-size photographs
• Medical certificate with Form 1 and 1A signed by a certified government doctor
• Completely filled form - you can get the form online or at your nearest RTO office

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:

• Fill the application form and attach the photographs, wherever necessary. Attach your age proof and address proof.
• Visit your nearest RTO office and submit the application form.
• Ask the RTO officials to schedule your learner’s licence test at a particular date and time.
• Appear for the test at the given date and time.
• On passing the test, the learner’s licence will be sent to your permanent address.
• If you are getting your driving lessons from a certified driving school, then the school officials will assist you in getting a learner’s licence.