New Driving Licence Rules in India – Eligibility Criteria and Application Fee!

The Government has changed the regulations for getting a driving licence in India. To tackle deficiencies of obtaining the driving licence process, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways introduced major changes to regulations in India. 

New Driving Licence Rules in India

The Regulations will come into effect from 1 June 2024. Individuals don’t need to take the driving test at the government Regional Transport Office (RTO), instead private institutions are now authorised to conduct the tests and issue certificates saying the people they trained can be given driving licences.

There are the key changes in the driving licence rules in India:

• Applicants will have the option of taking the driving test at the nearest centre according to their choice instead of the current practice of taking the test at the respective RTOs. 
• Without a valid licence are strict now, with fines ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000. If the Minor is found driving a vehicle then action can be taken against his parents with a heavy fine of Rs. 25,000 will be imposed. 
• The documentation required for obtaining a driver’s licence has also been streamlined with specific necessities, that means they will inform the applicants beforehand of the specific documents required for the type of licence they need.  
• To make India’s roads more environmentally sustainable the ministry is looking at ways to phase out 9,000 old government vehicles and improve the emission standard of the others. 
• Applicants can submit their application online by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways- parivahan.gov.in, and for the manual process they can also visit their RTOs to file an application. 

Licence Renewal New Rules

On June 1, 2024, the Regulations will go into effect. People may now take driving exams at private institutions and get certifications indicating that the individuals they instructed are eligible to receive driver’s licenses, rather than having to go to the government Regional Transport Office (RTO).

The following are the main modifications to India’s driving license laws:

• The removal of the need to take your driving test at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is one of the largest modifications.
• You may take your driving test at recognized private driving schools as an alternative.
• You will get a certificate if you pass the test at these schools, which enables you to apply for a driver’s license without having to take an additional exam at the RTO. 
• On the other hand, you will have to take the exam at an RTO if you do not have a certificate from an approved institution.
• There are now severe penalties for operating without a legal license, ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000. Should the minor be discovered operating a motor vehicle, his parents may face legal action and a hefty punishment of Rs. 25,000. 
• The documentation needed to get a driver’s license has also been simplified to just include the necessary paperwork; applicants will be notified in advance of the precise papers needed for the license type they seek.  
• The ministry is looking at methods to phase out 9,000 outdated government cars and raise the emission standards of the remaining vehicles to make India’s highways more ecologically friendly. 

How to apply for a Driving Licence in India

You can apply for the Driving Licence done in two ways:

Online mode:

• First visit to the official website parivahan.gov.in.
• Select the online services tab and click the option of Driving Licence Related Services. 
• Select the  state from which you wish to apply for. 
• Click the option of  Apply for Driving License.
• Then complete your applicant details. 
• Upload the scanned copies of your documents.
• Pay the application fee.
• According to the new rules of Driving Licence it’s an optional for the driving test.
• If you need for the driving test then book a slot for a driving licence test.
• Appear for the test as per the schedule and Driving licence is delivered to the applicants. 

Offline mode:

• The form can be downloaded from the state transport official website, but you can also visit the nearest RTO to procure Form 4.
• Fill up the application form and submit it with other documents like age proof and address proof at the nearest RTO.
• Pay the application fee.
• Book the slot for the Driving Licence, It’s optional.
• If you want then give the test at the RTO office and then you will obtain a driving licence if you pass the test. 

Eligibility Criteria for the Driving Licence in India

The eligibility for a Driving licence is according to the different types of vehicles and documents:

Fee Structure for the Driving Licence in India

You can pay the fee either through SBI challan or online, there are the Driving Licence fee structure for the different categories of licence are:

Types of Driving Licence

There are the types of Driving licence:

• A learner licence must have to apply for a permanent or a commercial licence, but according to the new rules of Driving licence in India it’s optional for the driving test.
• Permanent Driving licence is required for personal use such as taking a kid to school or someone else shopping for a ride, this is valid for 20 years or until 50 years of age.
• Commercial Driving licence is essential to have to transport goods by a Medium Good Vehicle or a Heavy Goods Vehicle, this is valid for 3 years.
• International Driving Licence is required to drive in foreign lands or abroad and it is only valid for up to a year.