Owning a driving license is extremely important if you wish to ride or drive your motor vehicle on Indian roads. In today’s day and age, owning a vehicle has become more of a necessity as it helps you travel places in no time. Also, being able to drive gives you the freedom to go wherever you wish to. Be it a local destination or an exotic locale, you can easily visit any place as and when you wish to.
But before that, you need to meet the legal requirement of obtaining a driving license. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 makes it mandatory for a vehicle owner to own a driving license to be legally able to drive a motor vehicle.
Getting hold of a driving license in Tamil Nadu is not difficult if you are aware of the process of obtaining a DL in the state. In Tamil Nadu, to begin driving your motor vehicle, you first need to obtain a learner’s license only after which you will be able to get a permanent driving license. There are a number of different rules and regulations governing the process of obtaining a driving license in Tamil Nadu. So here’s a comprehensive guide that will help you know all about the issuance of a driving license in Tamil Nadu.
A vehicle insurance policy is mandatory for every vehicle registered at Tamil Nadu RTO as per The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
In Tamil Nadu, a driving license is issued on the basis of the vehicle type an individual wants to drive. DL in Tamil Nadu is classified into non-transport and transport vehicles.
Non-transport vehicles: This type of license is issued to individuals who want to avail a driving license for driving a personal vehicle. An individual seeking a driving license for a non-transport vehicle cannot drive transport vehicles such as trucks, buses, tractors, etc. The use of a non-transport vehicle is strictly restricted to driving a private car, two-wheeler and motorcycles without gear. Under non-transport vehicle, an applicant has to mention the category of vehicle for which he is availing a DL for.
Various categories of licenses issued under non-transport vehicles include:
Transport Vehicle: This type of driving license is issued to individuals who wish to drive commercial vehicles.
Various categories of licenses issued for transport vehicles include:
To apply for a driving license for a motorcycle without gear having an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc, an applicant should have completed the age of 16 years.
To apply for a driving license for a motorcycle with gear, light motor vehicle, an applicant should have completed the age of 18 years.
To apply for a driving license for a commercial vehicle, an applicant should have completed the age of 20 years.
To be eligible to apply for a permanent driving license, an applicant should first hold a learning license.
An applicant can apply for a permanent driving license after 30 days of getting a learner’s license. The applicant should apply for a permanent driving license within 180 days from the date of issue of the learner’s license.
An applicant must be aware of all the traffic rules and regulations .
Driving license applicants will have to produce the below documents at the RTO to obtain their driving license.
Address proof: Applicants can produce any one of the below documents
Age proof: Applicants can produce any one of the below documents
Other documents to be submitted:
Applying for a driving license in Tamil Nadu is a convenient and a simple process. Those applying for a driving license have to first obtain a learner’s license only after which the applicant is eligible to receive a driving license.
Here’s how you can obtain a driving license online in Tamil Nadu:
To obtain a driving license online in Tamil Nadu, you will have to follow the below process:
Here’s how you can obtain a driving license offline in Tamil Nadu:
In case the driving license is lost, stolen or misplaced, an applicant can apply for a duplicate driving license in Tamil Nadu by following the below process:
Documents required for application of Duplicate Driving License in Tamil Nadu:
Application procedure for applying for a Duplicate Driving License:
In case of loss or theft of the driving license, the applicant should apply for a DL as soon as possible. If there is a gap of six months between the date of theft or loss or theft, then the applicant will have to send an application to the transport department headquarters for approval.
A driving license is valid for 30 days after the date of expiry. In Tamil Nadu, a driving license is valid for 20 years or until the age of 50, whichever is earlier. An applicant has to give a driving test if he fails to apply for a driving license within a period of 5 years from the date of expiry. An applicant cannot apply for a driving license renewal, in case he has been disqualified.
Documents required for renewing a driving license in Tamil Nadu:
The applicant will have to submit the above-mentioned forms and documents at the nearest RTO office. On verification of these documents, the applicant will receive the driving license on the same day.
In case the resident of Tamil Nadu wants to drive a vehicle abroad, then he can avail an International driving license to do so. RTOs across Tamil Nadu are entrusted with the responsibility to issue an International driving license to citizens all over the state.
Documents required for obtaining an International Driving License:
Applicants will have to submit the form along with the documents at the RTO office in person. For availing an international driving license, the applicant will have to pay a fee of Rs. 1000. On verification of all the documents, the applicant will be issued an International driving license.
A driving test is conducted in the state of Tamil Nadu to test the applicant’s driving skills. The test is conducted in the presence of a motor vehicle inspector, on whose inspection the applicant will be given a driving license. The applicant will have to appear for the test within 30 days from the date of application. If the applicant fails the test, then he can re-appear for the test after a period of 7 days. If the applicant passes the test, then the driving license will be delivered to him at his registered address.
How to know driving license delivery status in Tamil Nadu?
You can check your driving license delivery status in Tamil Nadu by following the below procedure:
What is the procedure for changing the address in driving license in Tamil Nadu?
To make any change in the address in a driving license in Tamil Nadu, the applicant will have to submit a copy of his driving license and new address proof document. The applicant will have to write an application to the RTO and submit the relevant documents along with it. An application fee of Rs. 215 has to be paid for this and a service charge of Rs. 100 for non-transport vehicle and Rs. 50 for transport vehicles.
What is the fee for obtaining a driving license in Tamil Nadu?
An applicant will have to pay a fee of Rs. 200 for obtaining a driving license in Tamil Nadu.
What is the procedure for making corrections in driving license in Tamil Nadu?
In case an applicant wants a change in his name, date of birth, surname or any other details mentioned in the driving license, then he can do so by following the below procedure:
For applying for DL in Tamil Nadu, is it important to submit a medical certificate?
If you are above the age of 50, you will have to submit a medical certificate.
