What is a
Driving Licence and why is it Necessary?
A Driving
Licence is an official document certifying that the holder is suitably
qualified to drive a motor vehicle or vehicles. Under the provisions of
the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in India, no person can drive a motor vehicle in any public place
unless he holds a valid Driving Licence issued to him, authorising him to drive
a vehicle of that particular category.
In India,
two kinds of Driving Licences are issued: Learner's Licence and Permanent
Licence. Learner's Licence is valid only for six months. Permanent Licence can
be availed only after the expiry of one month from the date of issuance of the
Learner's Licence.
What You
Need to Do to Obtain a Driving Licence
A
Learner's Licence is essential for obtaining a Permanent Licence. The
eligibility for obtaining a Learner's Licence for a private motor vehicle for a
vehicle of 50 CC engine capacity and without any gear, is 16 years (if the
applicant's parents or guardians give their consent). The minimum age to apply
for a permanent licence to drive a private motor vehicle is 18 years.
A person
who is at least 20 years old and possesses a Learner's License can obtain a
Licence for driving a commercial vehicle. Also, one has to be conversant with
the traffic rules and regulations in all the cases.
For
obtaining a Learner's Licence, you will need to apply in the prescribed format
to the Local Transport Office in your region, along with your passport-sized
photographs, proof of your age and residence, declaration of medical fitness
and the required fee. After verification of your documents, you will have to go
through the Learner's Test. Usually a handbook of traffic rules, signs and
regulations is provided with the application form. On passing the Learner's
Test, you will be issued a Learner's Licence. If you fail the test, you will be
given a chance to take the test again.
For
obtaining a Permanent Licence, you must have a valid Learner's Licence, and
must apply after 30 days and within 180 days of issue of the Learner's Licence.
You should be conversant about vehicle systems, driving, and traffic rules
regulations. You will be put through a driving test, for which you must bring a
vehicle with you. On passing the test, you will be issued a Permanent Driving
Licence.
International
Driving Licence
The motor
licensing authority also issues International Driving Licence to the citizens
of India. Application for the International Driving Licence can be made to the
licensing authority having jurisdiction over the area in which the holder of
the driving licence ordinarily resides or carries on business, along with
relevant documents. Citizens of India may drive in foreign countries with an
International Driving Licence, which has the maximum validity of one year.
Citizens are required to get their licence from the country they're visiting
within one year period. Following documents are to be produced at the time of
applying for an International Driving Permit:-
·
Valid driving licence
·
Attested copy of address
proof
·
Attested copy of Birth
Certificate
·
Valid passport
·
Valid Visa
·
Required Fees
·
Two passport size
photograph.