Driving Licence Documents and Eligibility

While holding a driving licence in India may be mandatory, there are specific eligibility criteria that one must take note of before procuring a driving licence. Depending on the type of driving licence, the eligibility criteria may differ.

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age for motorcycles with gears. For motorcycles without gear up, the applicant needs consent from a parent or guardian and must at least be 16 years of age. The applicant must be between 18-20 years of age for commercial and transport vehicles, depending on the state where they reside. The applicant must have a valid address and age-proof documents for all other general driving licence requirements.

A driving licence and learner’s permit is issued based on the class of motor vehicle. Based on this, the eligibility criteria vary. Let us look at the driving licence eligibility criteria for obtaining a driving licence in India.

Note that whether you are applying for a learning licence or permanent driving licence, the eligibility for applying for a driving licence remains the same. Now, you must have understood how important it is to check DL eligibility before applying for a diving licence. 

If your driving licence is stolen or damaged, you can apply for a duplicate licence either online or offline, directly at the same RTO that issued your driver’s licence. Some of the duplicate driving licence documents that need to be submitted include:

• A FIR (First Information Report) confirming the loss of driver’s licence in case of theft.

• Original driving licence in a torn or damaged state.

• A Challan clearance report stating that there are no outstanding bills or tickets. connected to the driver's licence. This needs to be applied for separately and then submitted only for those driving a commercial vehicle.

• Application Form LLD to verify either the loss or destruction of driving licence and application for a duplicate one.

• A photocopy of the driving licence

• Driving licence details

• Passport size photographs

• A proof of address for reference

• A proof of age for reference

A duplicate driving licence with an expiry similar to the original is issued after the details furnished above are cross-checked with the information already available.

A driving licence is issued for 20 years or up to 50 years of age, or the earlier of either. You can apply for renewal of driver’s licence within 30 days of its expiry either online or directly at the nearest RTO. Here are a few documents required for driving licence renewal:

• A form requesting renewal of driving licence

• Form declaring the physical fitness of the applicant

• Medical certificate Form 1(A) to be submitted by those above 50 years of age

• 3 passport size photographs

• If you are applying for renewal of your driving licence at an RTO other than the one where you applied for an original driving licence, you need to submit a No Objection Certificate

• Application fees as required

Check out the updated fee structure for obtaining a driving licence in India.

Once you are sure of your  learning licence eligibility or driving licence eligibility, and documentation and finally get a valid driver’s licence, it is important to get your vehicle insured to safeguard it from any untoward incident in the future.

Bike insurance and car insurance available on Bajaj Markets is affordable, provides 24X7 assistance for your vehicle and comes with third party liability coverage. It also provides a swift online claim settlement process. Driving on Indian roads will be smooth-sailing with your valid driver’s licence and a comprehensive motor insurance policy such as that available on Bajaj Markets!