Every driver of a vehicle must hold a valid licence to drive a vehicle in India. The licence is issued by the Regional Transport Authority Office. Driving without a licence is among the major traffic violations.
How To Obtain A Driving licence?
Anyone interested to acquire a driving licence must enrol in a driving training establishment and take lessons from an authorised trainer in a vehicle of his choice. In order to train as a driver, you must get a Learner’s licence from the Regional Transport Office before commencing with your lessons.
After completing the driving training course, you will be required to appear for a test, before the officer of the Regional Transport Office. This test includes both practical and theoretical aspects which the prospective must be able clear.
The practical test is the actual test of driving that the candidate needs to undertake. The theoretical test is the test of your knowledge of the traffic rules and traffic signs on the road. Once you pass these tests you will get a driving licence from the Regional Transport Office.
Different Types Of Driving licences
There are different categories of driving licences which are based on the different types and categories of vehicles. Trucks, cars and two-wheelers etc. have different types of licences.
Period Of Validity
A driving licence is issued for a definite period. For cars, etc. the validity of the licence will be for 20 years with a grace period of 30 days for renewal. For commercial vehicles, the validity of the licence will be for 3 years only.
The holder of any driving licence will have to renew the licence before the expiry date to be able to keep on driving on the Indian roads.
Drive Only If You Have A Valid licence
Once you hold a valid licence through the procedure stated above, you are ready to drive the vehicle of your choice on any Indian road.
Many Do Not Follow This Procedure
There are many who do not follow this procedure but learn driving from a relative or driver by using their family car or two-wheeler. Many learning driving in this way often never bother to acquire a learner’s licence which by itself is an offence too.
Driving A Vehicle Without A licence Is Illegal
Driving a vehicle without a licence in India is a gross traffic violation. This traffic violation will immediately attract a fine for driving without licence. Anyone driving with a licence that has expired is also indulging in an illegal act.