DL Types in India

Under the Motor Vehicle Act in India, it is prohibited for any individual to drive a motor vehicle in a public place unless they possess a valid driving licence. Additionally, no person may drive a transport vehicle—except for a motor cab or motorcycle hired for personal use or rented under a scheme outlined in subsection (2) of section 75—unless their driving license explicitly permits them to do so. It is important to understand the type of licence you need in India to for your specific needs and requirements. In this blog post, we will outline the various driving licences and vehicles classes are approved by RTOs in India.

Types of Driving Licence in India

In India, the types of driving licences are categorized based on the vehicle class and the purpose of driving. The main types are as follows:

S.No.Type of DLPurpose of DL
1Learner’s Licecse (LL)The Learner’s Licence (LL) is a temporary licence issued to individuals learning to drive. It is valid for 6 months and allows the holder to practice driving under supervision.
2Permanent Driving Licence (DL)After holding a learner’s licence for at least 30 days, an individual can apply for a permanent licence. This licence permits driving private vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.
3Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)This licence is required for individuals who drive vehicles used for commercial purposes, such as buses and trucks.
4International Driving Permit (IDP)An IDP allows Indian licence holders to drive in foreign countries that recognize Indian licences. It is only issued if the applicant already has a permanent driving licence.

Driving Licence Classification in India

DL ClassVehicle Type Allowed
MC 50 CC (Motorcycle 50 CC)Motorcycles with an engine capacity of 50 CC or less
MCWOG or FVGMotorcycles with any engine capacity, but without gears, including mopeds and scooters
LMVLMV-TRLight motor vehicles that are used for non-transport or transport purposes
MC EX50 CCMotorcycles with gear, Motorcycles with a capacity of 50 CC or more
MC With Gear or M/CYCL.WGAll motorcycles with gear
MGVFor medium goods vehicle
LMVFor Light goods vehicle
HMVFor Heavy Motor Vehicles
HGMVFor Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle
HPMV or HTVHeavy Passenger Motor Vehicle or Heavy Transport Vehicle
TrailerPerson holding heavy vehicle driving licence can apply for heavy trailer license