Say Goodbye To RTO Tests, New Driving License Rules In India Starting From June 1

Starting from June 1, obtaining a driving license in India will undergo significant change.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revealed that individuals will no longer need to undergo a driving test at the Government Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Instead, private driving schools will be authorised to conduct tests and provide the necessary certificates for obtaining a driving license. According to Hindustan Times, this decision aims to streamline the process and encourage the adoption of cleaner energy by phasing out approximately 9,00,000 outdated government vehicles.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has simplified the process of obtaining a driver’s license by revising the paperwork requirements. The documentation necessary for acquiring a driving license will vary depending on whether applicants are applying for a two-wheeler or four-wheeler license.

This streamlined approach reduces the need for extensive physical examinations at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). Under the new regulations set forth by the ministry, driving training centres must possess a minimum of 1 acre of land.

However, if they are conducting driving tests for four-wheelers, they are required to have at least two acres of land. Additionally, these centres must offer adequate training facilities. It is mandatory for the trainers to have a high school diploma or equivalent, at least five years of driving experience and knowledge of biometrics and IT systems.

Regarding training, these centres are required to provide 29 hours of training over 4 weeks for Light Motor Vehicles (LMV), comprising 8 hours of theory and 21 hours of practical instruction. For Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV), 38 hours of training should be delivered over 6 weeks including 8 hours of theory and 31 hours of practical training.

As for fees and charges, according to the new regulations, the issuance of a learner’s license (Form 3) will cost Rs 150, with an additional Rs 50 for the learner’s license test or a repeat test. If an individual requires a driving test or a repeat test, the cost will be Rs 300.

The cost of issuing a driving license would be Rs 200 and for an international license, it would be Rs 1,000. If someone has to add another vehicle to their license, then the charge would be Rs 500. To note, driving schools will face a hefty Rs 5,000 fee for renewing licenses without the training.