How to Get a Driving License in Delhi?

Delhi registers the highest number of deaths due to horrific accidents as compared to all the other states in the country. Since the country is witnessing a high growth rate of vehicles and extensive urbanization since the last few years, the road safety levels have taken a major hit. Most often than not, it is the young population of the country that becomes a victim of these horrific road accidents hence causing substantial loss of life and productivity for the nation. To reduce the number of road accidents in the country, the government has made the rules for acquiring a Driving License in this country more stringent.

A license not only lets people drive on the public roads, but it also acts as an address and identification proof.

Types of Driving License in Delhi

There are two types of Driving License that can be acquired by an individual in this country who fulfills the eligibility criteria for applying for a DL:

Temporary and Permanent.

The temporary license is also known as the Learner's License and it is given to people who wish to learn driving on the public road in this country and the permanent license is given to people who have passed the standardized tests and capable of driving on public roads

Applicants who wish to make a driving license application in the Indian capital can opt for one or more type of vehicle they want. Delhi offers driving license for a range of vehicle types, as specified below:

Light Motor Transport Vehicles

This license is given out to people who drive transport and commercial goods carriers, this section is further classified into Light Motor Vehicle (Passenger) like cabs, jeeps, delivery vans and auto rickshaws.

LMV-NT: Light Motor Vehicle Non-Transport

This includes vehicles that are privately owned by individuals like SUVs, Hatchbacks, etc.

Medium Goods Vehicle

This category consists of vehicles such as trucks, tempos and other goods transport vehicles.

Medium Passenger Vehicle

This class of vehicles includes transport such as minivans, tempos and larger commercial vehicles.

Heavy Goods Vehicle

This category of transport includes vehicles like trucks and large vans, that are meant to transport goods.

Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle

This category lists vehicles like buses, road roller, etc. that are used for commercial purposes and public transport.

Required Documents

• Valid Learner’s License

• Form 5 issued by a driving school, if it's applicable

• Passport size photographs

• Medical Certificate

• Identity and Age Proof

• Address Proof

• Application Fees

• Additional documents could also be required for depending on your profile. Enquire with the local RTO office before proffering the application form for Driving License.

How Can You Apply for a Driving License in Delhi?

The process for acquiring a DL in Delhi is easy and straightforward. You can follow the easy steps given below to apply for DL in Delhi.

• The applicant must procure Form 4 (the application form for acquiring the license to drive a vehicle which can be acquired from the official website of Delhi or the local RTO.

• You must own a valid LL as well.

• The individual also must present a medical certificate which has to be signed by a medical practitioner who has been authorized by the government.

• If you are applying for the license of a transport vehicle then you must submit Form 5.

• Along with the application, you must submit all the other necessary documents and the necessary fees for the process which should be submitted in the nearest RTO.

• A time slot is allotted to the applicant so that he/she can undergo the test after passing the test, the candidate becomes eligible to obtain a permanent DL.

Details of the Driving Test

• The candidate must be physically present in the location in the presence of the Motor Vehicle Inspector and he/she must pass the test to procure a permanent DL. The individual who is appearing for the test must own an LL for a minimum period of 30 days.

• If the applicant fails in the test then they may reappear in the next 7 days. In this test, questions linked with road safety and signs will be asked.

Driving Test for Heavy Vehicle in Delhi

Until 2014, obtaining a license for heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, and lorries wasn't very difficult since the tests conducted were very relaxed. But, rules have become much more stringent and more structured these days. Applicants are required to be tested well on a track that is specifically designed for large vehicles. Till now, the RTOs of most of the states have kept these rules intact. But, there are many places across the country where the license can be procured much easily. More stringent tests mean that only people with excellent skills can operate the heavy vehicles on the public road which is essential for avoiding any accidents of public roads.

Light Motor Vehicle Test Sequence

These are the abilities that you will be evaluated on as a motorcar driver:

• Parallel Parking (alongside a car).

• Driving forward on an ‘H’ shaped road.

• Driving forward on a road that is upward sloping. The candidate should be able to drive upwards without stopping.

• Driving backward on an ‘S’ shaped road.

Two-Wheelers License Track Test

You must follow the procedure mentioned below to pass a two-wheeler license test:

• Visit the RTO in the allotted time with your Learner's License.

• You also must possess the receipt for the payment that you have made for taking the DL test.

• You must report at the Registration desk of the RTO before the allotted time.

• The officer will be using the SARATHI software database to verify the applicant's ID, LL, and other documents. Your thumbprint will also be verified as a part of the identification verification.

• The candidate will be given an authorization if he/she is found to be eligible.

Driving License Renewal in Delhi

Usually, a Learner’s License in Delhi has a validity of six months. A permanent DL for motorcycles which don't have gears has a validity of 16 years and for LMV the validity is 18 years. You can get your expired license renewed from the nearest RTO office by following the procedure described below:

• Collect the application Form 9 from the nearest RTO office or download it from the official website of the state transport department.

• Along with the application form, the applicant will be needed to pay the necessary application fee and the documents for identification and address proof. You also must submit two recent passport size photographs.

• Medical Certificates as mentioned in Form 1 and Form 1A should be presented as well.

• The RTO can approve the DL renewal form and the new DL will be sent through post to the registered address.

How Can You Apply for Duplicate Driving License?

If an individual has lost his/her Driving License or wishes to apply for a duplicate Driving License, he/she can do so by submitting an LLD form to the local RTO. You can follow the steps which are described below to apply for a duplicate DL in Delhi.

• Procure the LLD form from the nearest RTO or download it from the state transport official website.

• The applicant will be then required to submit the passport-sized photographs and necessary documents.

• If the applicant has filled out Form 7 to apply for a duplicate DL, then he/she can pay a fee of 40 rupees.

• The applicant will also be required to provide the original copy of the DL while applying for a duplicate copy.

How Can You Get an International Driving License in Delhi?

To acquire an international driving license in Delhi, you can follow the steps described below:

• To procure an IDP or International Driving Permit the applicant must submit a filled IDP where he/she acquired the DL.

• Along with IDP, the applicant will be required to produce necessary documents and recent passport size photographs.

• A nominal fee of 1000 rupees also must be paid by the applicant while submitting the IDP form.

• The application is approved and verified by the RTO and the IDP is sent to the registered address.

What Is the Validity of My Driving License?

Your DL is generally valid for 20 years across the country from the date of issue until an individual turns 50. But if the license acquired is for transport or any other commercial vehicles then it has to be renewed every three years.

FAQs on Driving License in Delhi

Is it necessary that I go for driving training from a Motor Driving School?

No. It is not mandatory to go to a driving school to learn driving.

How will I prepare for the driving test?

Along with your driving skills, you will be tested on your knowledge of road signs and traffic guidelines. You can prepare for a DL test by learning the skill properly and brushing up your knowledge on traffic guidelines.

Why should my record be taken into account for renewing my commercial license?

The record of the license that has to be renewed must be verified systematically to guarantee the legitimacy of the rider. It is also essential to make sure that the driving license was issued from the same office

What is a 'Driver Refresher Training Course'? When will I need it?

An individual will need a Driver Refresher Training Course only when he/she owns a Heavy Motor Vehicle License. The Driver Training refresher course certificate was made mandatory in the year 1988.