New Driving License Rules in India Effective from1st June

New Delhi 02 June (VNI) Driving examinations at RTOs became optional under the New Driving License Rules in India. The process of obtaining a driver’s license was lengthy and required the applicant to visit several authorities and fill out multiple papers. The complicated procedure also facilitated unethical practices, impacting road safety. To combat this, new rules were issued in India.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made significant regulatory adjustments to address previous shortcomings. This step significantly streamlined the application procedure for a driver’s license.

Several key benefits of the new rules included an emphasis on the environment, with tightened automotive emission standards and the phasing out of almost 900,000 outdated government cars to minimize pollution. Tougher penalties were also introduced, with fines for speeding remaining at ₹1,000–₹2,000, and a fine of ₹25,000 for minors caught driving, along with a delay in obtaining a license until they turned 25 and the cancellation of the vehicle owner's registration card. Additionally, the application procedure was streamlined, with the required paperwork simplified based on the type of vehicle.

Applicants had the opportunity to take the driving test at the closest center of their choice, with private companies receiving government certificates to administer the test. Driving without a valid license carried harsher consequences, with fines ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. If a minor was caught driving, a severe punishment of ₹25,000 was imposed, and action against the minor’s parents could be initiated, along with revocation of the vehicle’s registration certificate. The paperwork needed to obtain a driver’s license was simplified to include only the necessary documents, with the ministry notifying applicants in advance of the required paperwork. The ministry also investigated ways to phase out outdated government vehicles and raise emission requirements to make highways more environmentally friendly.

The application process for a driver’s license remained the same, with applicants able to submit applications online through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ official website or manually at the relevant RTO.

New guidelines for private driving schools included land requirements (a minimum of one acre for driving school institutes and two acres for four-wheeler training), access to suitable testing facilities, trainer qualifications (a high school degree or its equivalent, at least five years of driving experience, and familiarity with biometrics and IT systems), and specific training durations (29 hours for Light Motor Vehicles to be completed in 4 weeks and 39 hours for Heavy Motor Vehicles to be completed in 6 weeks).

The fees and charges for licensing included ₹150 for the issue of a learner’s license (Form 3), ₹50 for the learner’s license test fee (original or repeat), ₹300 for the driving test fee (original or repeat), ₹200 for the issue of a driving license, ₹1,000 for the issue of an International Driving Permit, and ₹500 for the addition of another vehicle class to the license