The acronym RTO evokes a mixture of worry, apprehension and confusion in Bangalore city’s novice vehicle owners. Right from collecting of documents to taking time off other routines to clear tests for that coveted license- it is serious business. This article attempts to make the procedural route to obtaining licenses at any city RTO simple and lucid.

All about Learner’s Driving License

A valid Learner’s License (LL) is a pre-requisite to get a permanent Driving License (DL).

The objective of a Learner’s Driving License is to officiate the process of learning. That is, if you are enrolled in a driving school or are being guided by a tutor, your having an LL authorizes you to handle a motor vehicle

Validity:

The Learner’s License is valid for 6 months.

Criteria:

One has to be over 16 years of age to obtain a 2 wheeler LL. Those between 16-18 years are given LLs for gearless, 50cc vehicles only.

4-wheeler LLs are given to anybody over the age of 18 on passing an oral/written test on signs and traffic rules.

For commercial vehicles, those with LLs must enroll in an approved Transport Driving School.

Points to note for LL-holders

An LL holder must at all times be accompanied by a DL holder in case of a 4 wheeler

Those holding 2 wheelers Learners’ License are allowed to ride with only their instructors riding pillion. It is forbidden for others to ride pillion.

The Learner’s License is obtained at the RTO designated in your area. All RTOs remain open between 10 AM and 5.30 PM. The test and application procedures are conducted only between 10 A.M and 1.30 PM on weekdays.

If you are applying for a license without the aid of a driving school, you will have to go to the RTO whose jurisdiction your locality falls under.

• Koramangala
• Rajajinagar
• Indiranagar
• Yeshwantpur
• Jayanagar
• Kengeri
• Bannerghatta/Electronic City
• Nelamangla
• Yelahanka
• K R Puram

The addresses can be found here: http://rto.kar.nic.in/help.htm

Form:

You can start with downloading the form from: http://rto.kar.nic.in/form2.pdf

For help in filling the form, refer to http://rto.kar.nic.in/guide.htm

You can also fill it online at: http://rto.kar.nic.in/default14.asp (though this was not working as on 25 August)

The Documentation Checklist:
Completely filled Application form accompanied by:

1. Address proof (Any one of the following)
   • Passport
   • Ration Card LIC Policy document
   • Pay Slip by state/central government/local body
   • Affidavit attested by a notary
   • Rent agreement/property agreement + Electricity/Phone etc Bills from current address
2. Age proof (Any one of the following)
   • Birth/School Certificate
   • Marks Cards (10th Standard)
   • Medical Certificate
   • Affidavit attested by a notary
3. A receipt for Rs.30 paid at the RTO’s bank counter
4. 3 recent passport size photographs

It is imperative that you walk in to the test, fully prepared. Make sure the application is complete. The photographs must be pinned in a small cover to the application form. All the copies of documents must be attested. Also, take the originals along with you.

The Test:

Once all the necessary documents are presented, you will be put through a simple written test on rules and signs (either oral or written).

You can prepare for the written test and signals at:

http://rto.kar.nic.in/sign-list.htm

http://rto.kar.nic.in/QA.HTM

Once done, the Learner’s License will be given to you the same day, between 4.30 and 5.30 PM.

If you fail the test, you can resubmit the form and appear for the test again the next day.

All about Permanent Driver’s License

Criteria

To apply for a Permanent Driver’s License, you must have a Learner’s License which has been valid for more than 1 month and less than 6 months. Permanent Driver’s Licenses are given only to those above 18 years of age for both 2 and 4-wheelers.

The Driving License is valid:

1. For 20 years from date of issue OR
2. Until the date on which the license holder turns 50 years of age

Form:

The form is available at http://rto.kar.nic.in/form4.pdf

The Documentation Checklist:

1. Completely filled Application form
2. Valid Learner’s License
3. Documents of the vehicle you will drive:
   • Registration Certificate (RC Book)
   • Insurance Document
   • Pollution under control certificate/Tax Paid receipt/ related documents
4. recent passport size photographs
5. Receipt for Rs.50 paid at the counter for the driving test
6. Receipt for Rs.40(DL Book) or Rs.215(A DL Card)

The Test:

For a Permanent Driver’s License, applicants are tested on their driving skills. An Inspector from the RTO conducts the driving test. You will have to drive through the RTO’s designated driving track and will be tested on general driving skills and adherence to rules. For specifics, you can read the text of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 (Driving Test).

http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/rule2_157424744067.pdf

Again, this procedure is under cloud as it is feared that applying for a DL independently puts people at a disadvantage.

On passing the test, the driving license will be issued a week later (between 4.30 and 5.30 PM).

If you fail the driving test, you can reapply after a week, by paying only the Driving Test Fee (Rs.50).

How do I transfer a license issued in another country?

If you have a Driving License from another country, you will need to apply for both a Learner’s License and a Permanent Driving License. You are, however, exempted from taking a Driving Test.

For transferring a non-Indian Driving License:
1) Submit an application for Learner’s License (Form 2) to the designated RTO, with address proof, and all other documents, photographs etc.
2) Submit a Residence Permit issued by the Police Commissioner.
3) Submit an application for Permanent Driving License (Form 4) with necessary documents, photographs, etc.

Do I need a medical test?

Medical certificates are compulsory only for applicants aged over 40 and for Transport-vehicle licenses. The medical certificate need not be submitted for other licenses (Two, Four wheelers) if you are under 40 years of age.

My Learner’s License is not valid any more. Will it be renewed?

The RTO no longer renews Learner’s Licenses. You will have to redo the entire LL procedure to get an LL anew.

What are the recommended documents for address proof?

The best document to present for any government-related application is the Passport. It singly makes for proofs of age, address and nationality.

Else, if you are a new resident in the city and your passport is registered to an address that is not the same as the residence in this city/don’t have a passport, you can submit a copy of

• Property Agreement
• Telephone/Electricity/Water Bills
• Pay Slip from a government organization
• An affidavit

How do I transfer a License issued elsewhere in the country?

A driving license issued in an Indian RTO is valid throughout the country. But if you have moved permanently, it might be a good idea to change the address in your license. You can request a form for change of address at the RTO counter. Fill the application form, and submit address-proof for the new address. This is applicable only for Permanent Driving Licenses. Note that, if you previously had only a learner’s license, you will have to reapply and retake the test. ⊕

Siri Srinivas is a student of Engineering with an alter-ego who thinks she is a journalist. She spends most of her time cracking unfunny jokes on politics and world affairs.

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