Driving License - Delhi

Having a permanent driving license means you are ready to ride a bike on the road. It means you are legally permitted to ride your bike on the road without any implications as long as you follow all legal mandates and traffic rules. In the event that you are stopped at a checkpoint by a traffic police, you can simply show your valid driving license.

What also makes the driving license in Delhi a crucial document for your bike is the role it plays in your bike insurance policy, along with certifying your authenticity as a bike owner/rider. When you file a claim for losses and damages on your bike insurance policy, you will be required to produce the driving license along with the registration certificate of your bike. This is done to ensure that the bike was not in use by an unauthorised person without the essential driving knowledge.

Obtaining a driving license is a straightforward process; however, your driving skills and knowledge base should be good. Learn more about how you can apply for a driving license in Delhi and more!

To get a driving license in Delhi, you need to know that driving licenses in Delhi can be issued based on the type of vehicle you own or use. Below are the particulars of the types of driving licenses**

Motorbikes without gear This category comprises mopeds and scooters that do not come with gear. Such vehicles are easy to handle and are a good choice for short distances within the city.

Motorbikes with gears As the name suggests, two-wheelers with gears fall under this category. Riding gear motorbikes need more skill than riding a non-geared motorbike.

Light Motor Vehicle (NT) Hatchbacks, sedans, etc., fall under this category of vehicles that weigh less than 7500 kilograms.

Transport Vehicles Under this category, you get a license for trucks, vans, buses, etc., which are essentially commercial vehicles used for transport.

Invalid Carriage This type of vehicle is created and customised to help persons with disability drive it or travel in it for their convenience.

Road Roller Under this category, licenses are issued for road rollers, a vehicle commonly used in the construction of roads to flatten surfaces.

Motor Vehicles of a specified description All other types of vehicles other than the ones mentioned above fall under this category.

Before you receive your permanent license, you need to have a learner’s license. This type of license can be obtained at an RTO without a formal driving test. However, on this license, you cannot drive alone. At all times, you must be accompanied by a more experienced driver with a valid and permanent driving license.

After that, getting a permanent driving license is a simple process; however, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria, based on which the license can be issued:

• You should be at least 18 years or above at the time of applying for the license.

• It is essential that you have a learner’s license when applying for a permanent driving license.

• You can apply for a permanent driving license between 30-180 days of receiving your learner’s license.

• Be sure that you are well-versed in all the traffic rules and regulations and have a good understanding of the vehicle’s mechanism.

Documents Required for a Driving License in Delhi

• These are the documents you need to have when you apply for your driving license in Delhi:

• The driving license application form – Form 4

• At least 2 passport-size photographs

• The mandatory application fee of ₹400

• Driving certificate for transport vehicles – Form 5, Form 14 and Form 15

• Any of the following for proof of address:

• Ration card

• Voter’s ID

• Certified copy of the Voter’s List

• Passport

• An insurance policy that is at least 6 months old (with a copy of the latest premium receipt)

• Any of the following for proof of age:

• Birth certificate

• Educational certificate

• An attested copy of your valid passport

• A certificate from your employer, if you are a state/central government or a local body employee.

For years, people would have to visit the RTO to get their driving license until the online process was also made available. As of today, you can either choose to get it online or still opt for the offline mode, as per your preference.

Apply for a driving license in Delhi Online

• When applying for a driving license in Delhi through online mode, these are the steps you can follow:

• Go to the official Delhi government transport website.

• Fill up the application form with all the correct personal details and your two-wheeler details.

• The list of documents is mentioned on the form. Gather all of these and submit a soft copy of those online.

• After the submission, you should receive an application number. Note this number down, as it will be needed during the test.

• Now, you can book a driving test slot as per availability and pay the corresponding application fees online.

• After this, go to the RTO where you have applied for the driving license.

• A driving inspector will conduct your driving test and then determine if you should be issued a driving license. Your car will be used for the test.

• Once you clear the test, you will need to complete the biometrics and photograph requirements as needed.

• After a few days, your driving license will be delivered to your address, as mentioned on the form. Or, you can collect your license on the same day from that RTO in Delhi.

Apply for a driving license in Delhi Offline

• When applying for a driving license in Delhi through the offline mode, this is how you can go about the process:

• Go to the RTO office of your locality and collect Form 4.

• Fill it in with all the correct personal details and other information.

• Submit the form along with the relevant documents as mentioned on the form.

• Book a slot for your test at the RTO, and be sure to carry your own vehicle for the test.

• Once you clear the driving test, complete your fingerprint and photograph verification.

• You can choose to have the license delivered to your address or collect it from the RTO on the same day if it is ready.

• Your driving license will be delivered at your registered address by post, or you can also collect it from the RTO office the same day, in case it is ready to provide the same.

After your permanent license has been issued, it will be valid for 20 years or until you are 50 years of age (the earlier of the two). Once the license expires, you can renew it within a grace period of 30 days. The renewal can be done at the local zonal office, and these are the documents you will need to carry for the driving license renewal in Delhi:

• The duly filled application - Form 9

• 2 passport-sizes photographs

• Your original driving license

• Self-attested copies of proof of age and address

• The mandatory application fee of ₹200

• If you are over 40 years of age, a medical certificate - Form 1A, should be submitted.

• If the license renewal is for a transport vehicle, carry a re-fresher driving training certificate

• For any commercial vehicle license, carry a short period re-fresher training course certificate

Submit the application form and all the documents at the local zonal office. These will be retained in the zonal office for records. A smart card driving license charge is ₹200, and each year after that, you will have to pay ₹1000 if you want to continue with it. Once the documents have been verified, you will receive your renewed driving license.

To be able to drive a vehicle overseas or in another country, you will need to acquire an international driving license. In Delhi, you can receive your international driving permit in many zonal offices.

This driving license is valid for 1 year, and the application fee is ₹1000. These are the documents needed to obtain an international driving license in Delhi:

• Duly filled and signed application form – Form 4A.

• A copy of your current and valid driving license.

• Your original passport and visa

• Form 1A – the medical certificate

• 4 passport-size photographs

• The application fee, as mentioned above

• Documents supporting proof of age and address

These will have to be submitted at the RTO, and you can expect to receive the international driving license within the next three days.

When obtaining a driver’s license in Delhi, the practical driving test will be conducted according to Rule 15 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Two-wheeler and Three-wheeler Driving Test:

• If you are taking the driving test for a two-wheeler or three-wheeler in Delhi, you will have to appear for two driving tests – the first one is the ground test, and the other is the road test.

• In the ground test, you will have to drive on a marked ‘8’ or take the ‘Straight T’ test. This shows if you are good at reversing or shifting the gears.

• The road test will test your compliance with traffic rules and regulations when you are riding your two-wheeler or three-wheeler.

• A Motor Vehicle Inspector will be accompanying you for both tests.

• If this official is unsure of your driving skills and knowledge, you must reappear for the test. For a failed attempt, you can apply for a re-test after 7 days.

Four-wheeler Driving Test:

• In Delhi, the four-wheeler test is also divided into two sections.

• During the ground test, you will have to drive along a marked ‘Straight T’ line and take a ‘U-turn.

• You will be driving your vehicle for the road test, but this time, you will be tested for your understanding of the traffic rules and regulations.

• If the driving inspector does not find your driving skills and knowledge satisfactory, you will have to retake the test. If you fail the test, you can apply again after 7 days.

• It can be seen how important the driving license is while the process of procuring it is simple, there is quite a bit of effort involved. Along with your driving license, also always remember to carry your bike insurance policy when riding your bike. By using Tata AIG’s bike insurance calculator, you can easily calculate your premiums and pick a policy with adequate coverage and reasonable premiums.