Commercial License

Driving License is mandatory to drive two-wheeler or four-wheeler legally on Indian roads. However, a permanent driving license cannot be obtained right away. People need to follow the procedure to obtain a permanent driving license.

An individual who aspires to drive any vehicle in India is required to get his/her learner's license first. Learner’s license is allotted for people who are learning how to drive. After a month of the issuance of learner’s license, the person has to give the driving test for the RTO authority, who after proper review, will decide if he/she has passed the test.

The necessary tests for granting a DL are done in the designated RTOs. There are various types of licenses which are provided on the basis of the candidate's age and the type of vehicle for which the applicant needs the license for. The most relevant type of license is Learner’s License, Driving License, and Commercial Driving License.

Commercial Driving Licenses can be acquired by individuals who want to ride a commercial transport vehicle, for both types of vehicles; heavy as well as light vehicle types.

Procedure to Avail Transport Driving License/Commercial Driving License

• To obtain a commercial driving license or transport DL, the applicants should first avail a Learner’s License. For people who want to drive a commercial vehicle they must be above the legal age and in some of the states, the minimum age for procuring a license is 22. Furthermore, the candidates should have passed at least the eighth standard.

• Applicants will be needed to pass a written test to procure a Learner’s License. After the candidate has held the Learner’s License for a month, he/she can apply for a Commercial Driving License.

• Individuals could apply for a Driving License through online or offline mode. They will be required to fill all the necessary forms and submit those forms along with the required documents.

• After everything has been submitted, the applicant will be called for a test. The applicant’s driving skills are tested and if they pass the test to the satisfaction of the testing authority, the candidate will be receiving his/her license in their postal address.

How Can You Apply Online for Commercial License?

Applicants have the convenient choice of applying for their driving license online, dodging the hassle of waiting in queues for a long time. They can also apply for a commercial license by following the steps described below:

• Applicants must log in to the official Sarathi website in India and download Form 4(form required for applying for a DL).

• They will be required to fill in the mandatory details and upload the application on the website, along with necessary documents and their passport size photograph(s).

• Additionally, it is compulsory for applicants who want to get a Commercial Driving License to provide a duly filled Form 1A as the medical certificate. If the applicant is applying for the license of an HMV, then he/she will be required to provide a ‘Driver Refreshing Training Certificate.’

• The applicant must have compulsorily experienced training from a Government Driving School or a training center that has been authorized by the respective state government in Form No.5 that has to be issued by the Driving School.

• After everything has been submitted by the applicant, all the candidates will get a serial number and they will also receive notification on their registered numbers.

• On the assigned date, the candidate must arrive at their center to take their test.

How Can You Apply Offline for Commercial Driving License through Offline Mode?

Applicants can apply for their DL offline as well by following the steps described below:

• Visit the nearest RTO and acquire Form 2.

• The application form and the required documents like the age and address proof must be submitted by the application the designated RTO.

• Moreover, it is obligatory for the applicants who wish to obtain a Commercial Driving License to produce the medical certificate (Form 1A). If the candidate wishes to own an HMV, he/she will also need to furnish a ‘Driver Refreshing Training Certificate.’

• The applicant is also compulsorily required to produce Form No 5 which has to be issued by the Driving School where he/she learned driving. You must remember that it is obligatory for the candidate to have undergone a driving training in a recognized driving school.

• After having submitted all the documents, the applicants will receive a serial number and a notification alert on their registered phone numbers.

Eligibility Criteria for Commercial Transport License

• The applicant should be at least eighteen years old.

• The candidate must have cleared 8th Standard.

• The Candidate must own a Learner's License.

• They must be trained in a driving school which is affiliated to the state government.

• The applicants must provide the necessary documents.

But as per recent reports, there has been a proposal by the Centre to lessen the education requirement. Additionally, taxi drivers need not have to present a year’s experience of driving before securing a commercial driving license, only if they have been trained by a driving school.

The Centre can also empower a particular body to accredit driving schools to provide training to the candidates throughout the country. The curriculum could be decided by the government. Corrective training courses could  also be provided to aspirants who have failed the tests.

These courses would be designed to be of short duration and it will cover the fundamental aspects of driving so that these individuals gain an absolute knowledge which can equip them to become better drivers. According to government records, currently, there is a lack of drivers in the country as compared to the number of vehicles in the country.

Documents Required for Commercial Driving License

The documents which are necessary to procure a Commercial Driving License are:

• Address Proof

• Aadhar Card

• Passport

• Voter ID

• Ration Card

• Utility Bills

• Identity Proof

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Birth Certificate

• Mark sheet of 10th Grade

• Forms 2, 1A, 5 (these forms have to be filled)

• Passport sized photographs

• Necessary Application Fees

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CDL

Would I require a Medical Certificate for applying for a CTL?

Yes. The candidates must submit a medical certificate to apply for a CTL.

If I had acquired my DL from Bangalore, will it be valid in Hyderabad?

Yes. A DL is valid throughout the country

What happens if an applicant fails the driving test?

If an applicant fails the test, then they can retake the test within the next seven days.