1. First - time (Fresh) License

The different categories in which you can apply for a license are :

Category	Age not less then	Validity	Details
Motor cycles of special category	16 years	5 years or upto the age of 50	A motorcycle of engine capacity not more than 50cc falls in this category. The application must be signed by the parent or the guardian
Private cars and motorcycles	18 years	5 years or upto the age of 50	All light motor vehicles not used for carrying passengers or goods for hire are covered in this category
Transport vehicles	20 years	3 years	All buses, lorries, taxis, Aauto-Rickshaws, etc. fall in this category

2. Driving license for the handicapped/ disabled

A handicapped or disabled person is also eligible to hold a driving license for a specific type of vehicle, suitably modified if so required

a) Such a license, known as Invalid Carriage License is issued on the satisfaction of the licensing authority that the applicant if fit to drive such a vehicle.

b) The license is valid only for the specifically modified vehicle on which the driving test was conducted.

c) A hearing-impaired person (deaf) is not eligible to hold a driving license unless he uses a hearing aid that enables him to acquire a reasonable level of hearing.

d) A handicapped person is permitted to import a vehicle specially designed/modified for his use from abroad

3. Renewal of License

An expired license is valid for a period of 30 days and can be renewed during this period of grace without any penalty

A license expired for more than 30 days can be renewed on payment of penalty, provided the application is made within a period of five years from the date of expiry. The penalty is charged at Rs.10/- per year or part thereof.

The license can be renewed through any RTO in the country irrespective of the place of it's issue.

If a driver changes his place of residence, the new address must be incorporated in his license.

After the age of 50 the license will be renewed for a period of 5 years at a time.

4. Duplicate (For lost or defaced license)

The application for duplicate license must be made to the same RTO which has issued the original license.

In case the license number is not available, or the application is to be made to any other RTO, the procedure as applicable for a fresh license (learner license, driving test, etc...) will have to be followed.

If a lost license is found

5. International License

International Driving permit (IDP) can be issued by any RTO or motoring associations authorised by the Government. Th period of validity is one year.

Some countries prescribe certain local regulations which must be complied with.

Before going in for a full fledged license, you have to apply for a learner's license for the purpose of learning and then has to be tested before a permanent license can be granted.

A learner's license is valid only for a period of 6 months. If the driving test for a permanent license is not passed during this period, a fresh learner's license needs to be obtained.

The training syllabus is laid down in Rule 31, CMV Rules.

The test for the issue of a permanent license is conducted after a minimum of 30 days from the date of issue of the learner's license. In case of failure, a retest can be requested but not before a period of 7 days.

No learner's license shall be granted to drive a transport vehicle unless the applicant has held a driving license of LMV for at least 1 year.

Paperwork (Documents) / Required Documents :

1. Learner's License

Proof of age: Birth/School leaving Certificate, Passport, etc.

Proof of residence: This can be supported by documents like the passport, ration card, electoral roll, electricity or telephone bill, etc.

Medical certificate: Required only in case of transport vehicles and can be obtained from any registered medical practitioner in the prescribed form.

Photographs: 3 copies of passport size

Fee: Rs.15/-

2. Permanent License (After the test has been passed by the applicant)

Photograph: 3 copies of passport size

Valid Learner's license

Fee: Rs.20/-

3. Renewal of existing License

The Driving License
Medical Certificate in case of transport vehicle
3 Copies of photograph

Renewal fee of Rs.15/-

4. Duplicate

The license number
3 copies of Photograph

Fee of Rs.20/- (For laminated license the fee will be higher as prescribed by the RTO)

5. IDP (International Driving Permit)

Current Indian driving license valid for a minimum of at least next one year
Current Passport
3 copies of recent photograph

Fee of Rs.10/-

Some countries prescribe certain local regulations which must be complied with.

Legal

a. The application must be made to the RTO in whose jurisdiction the applicant normally resides or carries out business.

b. A holder of a learner's license is permitted to drive only if he is accompanied by a duly licensed driver (A person having a permanent license) who is sitting in a position from where he can control the vehicle and bring it to a stop if required.

c. The vehicle being used for learning must display 'L' painted signs, both in the front and the rear of the vehicle.

d. A holder of learner's license for a motorcycle is not permitted to carry any pillion-rider except the person who is required to be present for imparting instructions and ensuring safety.

e. It is necessary for a driver of a passenger vehicle (bus, taxi, autorickshaw) to obtain PSV endorsement on his driving license before driving such a vehicle.

f. Some countries prescribe certain local regulations which must be complied with.

Disqualification/Suspension of a License

The License can be suspended or a person disqualified from holding it by the RTO, court or any other prescribed authority for any of the following reasons:

Being a habitual criminal, drunkard or drug addict

Using a vehicle in the commission of a criminal offence

Rash/dangerous driving

On conviction of not reporting an accident to the police or not rendering medical aid to the injured, or failing to stop his/her vehicle when required to do so by a police officer

On grounds of disease or disability

Committing any act which is likely to cause nuisance or danger to the public (For example, carrying overload, carrying passengers in a goods vehicle, assualt on passengers, theft of goods carried in a vehicle, abandoning vehicle in a public place or participating in a strike, etc.)

If convicted of drunken driving, the license shall be suspended for a period of not less than 6 months.

The punishment for rash/dangerous driving can be imprisonment for a period upto six months.

In the event of refusal, suspension or revocation of a license, the aggrieved can appeal within 30 days of such action to the prescribed authority.