How to get a driving license without agent and motor driving school in India

Hello Friends,

This is another blog post from me about do it yourself.

We are so accustomed to corruption that we feel that without an agent or without a driving school, one cannot get driving license in India.

Let me tell you that if you have decided not to pay bribe, nobody can force you for the same.

I always believe to do by yourself so at least we know the process. First of all, whether you are a public applicant or an applicant through motor driving school has to go through the same process. They need to have all document in copy as well as original. Both the applicant have to appear for learning license tests and clear it. Yes, only advantage is the RTO employee taking online test loudly announce the answer and both applicant get the benefit (definitely RTO employees get their cut from motor driving schools to help applicant to get clear the test).

For the final test too, there is no special treatment between public applicant and motor driving school applicant , at least on test ground. Both have to clear the driving test.

Now see the difference in the cost.

2 wheeler license:

Through agent/ driving school : Rs. 1000

By self: Rs. 360

By going through the motor driving school, you do not save time at all and by doing self, you can stop bribery and corruption. The motor driving schools are biggest corruption agent of the RTO in India.

Now let me explain the process.

Step 1: Learning license

The first step to get driving license in India is to get learner's license. For this you need to apply in form 1 and form 2 under motor vehicles Act. You need to provide date of birth, identity and address proof. A passport, a domicile certificate, Aadhar card, LIC policies are acceptable documents. Ration card, bank statement, mobile bills, credit card statements are not acceptable so be careful while carrying documents. You also need to carry photograph. Carrying all documents in original for verification is mandatory.

Once you complete it, visit the RTO office under which jurisdiction your city falls. For example, Thane, Bhiwandi falls under Thane RTO of Maharashtra. Navi Mumbai falls under Vashi RTO. Similarly Mumbai has been divided amongst 3 RTO office.

Fill the form carefully. You need to stand in a que to get your document verified. An RTO inspector will verify your documents and then you need to pay Rs. 60 in total for test and learner's license. Once you pay the fee, you need to go for biometric recorder. This person will shoot your photo using webcam and will also take your thumb impression. Once you finish the process, you have to head for learners license test. In this test you are asked 10 questions related to road signs. You need to enter details on register and handover your learners license application forms. The tests are easy. It is online. When you enter the test room, on screen your name and seat no will appear. You must seat on designated no only. For each question there will be option as A B C. You need to press appropriate button. After clearing the test, you need to collect learners license on given date.

Learner's license is not a full driving license. You must put L in big, red on front and backside of the vehicle while driving and you must be accompanied by a person having valid driving license for that type of vehicle whenever you ride or drive.

The learners license is valid for a period of 6 months. You must get a permanent license within this period otherwise you have to renew the learners license by paying Rs. 30. You must not loose your learner license otherwise you to re-apply fresh.

With learners license they also give you your form 1 and 2 alongwith all the documents back. You need to attach it with your application for permanent license.

Please note that if you are from Mumbai, it is mandatory to take online appointment for learning license by visiting www.mahatranscom.in

Final License

After completion of a month after getting a learners license , you may apply for a permanent driving license. For this you need to apply in form 4. Please attach form 1, form 2 and learner license. Once you are sure to give the test, submit this form with Rs. 300 towards permanent license fee. You need to pay additional 300 for every class I.e. 3 wheeler , 4 wheeler, LMV, HMV etc. Once you pay the fee, head towards driving test. There will be two official que, one for public applicants and another for motor driving school applicants. A clerk level RTO employee will make entry into register and then handover paper to inspector. The inspector will announce your name and you have to give the driving test. Few points to be noted here:

1. You must carry your own vehicle if you are public applicant. RTO does not provide any vehicle.

2. You must write registration no of your vehicle on top of the form with make and model no.

3. The inspector may ask question to you on road signs and safety. Be prepared for this.

4. You must carry all type of vehicle for which you are applying for license. For example, if you carry a scooter while you have applied for a geared motorbike license then you will be granted license only for scooter without gear. You need to write all vehicle no on form.

5. The RTO officer may ask you to make a small circle, a big circle, 8 and 11 by riding and driving. Practice for it to avoid rejection.

Once you clear the test then you need to meet the sr. Designated officer of RTO with the form 4, 1 and 2 with sign of the officer who cleared your driving test. The senior officer will sign on your form. Then make a photocopy of it and submit the forms to designated counter. The driving license (smart card type, biometric) will be send to your home through speed post.

You can retain the photocopy till you get your permanent license and drive vehicle. Now you are done.

Time :

for learning license the half day and for permanent license it takes around 3 hours.

What I have observed that people are always on rush to cross the zebra crossing, start before the red signals turns to green, avoiding helmet and honking unnecessarily. Please note that all these does not serve the purpose and you do not save great deal of time. Let us be civilised and drive as a responsible person .

Any questions and comments are welcome

P.s.: the above process is based on the standard RTO offices like Thane and Mumbai. It may vary from city to city. If you follow the above process, the RTO officer has no reason to reject and harass you and if it happens you must fight for a better India and for a better governance. All the process is based in my own experience.

Latest development:

Wadala RTO is going to start online appointment for learner's license from August 1, 2014 onwards

From next month, residents of eastern suburbs, which come under the Wadala RTO, can receive their learner licence within 10-15 minutes after taking the test online. Currently, the facility is available at Andheri (western) and Tardeo (island city) RTOs.

Good news:

Thane RTO has also started online driving license appointment. 

Common website for application and all RTO need is

http://mahatranscom.in/

Link for driving license appointment is

http://mahatranscom.in/AMS_Details.aspx