Driving License: No need to visit RTO for license from June 1

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced new rules for obtaining a driving license in India. From June 1, 2024, people can take their driving tests at private driving schools instead of government Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). New Driving Rules: No need to visit RTOs for license from June 1.

These private driving schools will be allowed to conduct tests and issue certificates required for driving license. The new rules aim to reduce pollution by phasing out about 900,000 old government vehicles and enforcing stricter car emission standards.

There is still a fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for speeding. But minors caught driving face a hefty fine of Rs 25,000. Also, the vehicle owner’s registration will be cancelled and minors will not be able to get a license until they turn 25.

The ministry has made it easier to get a new license by reducing the paperwork required. The documents required depend on whether you are applying for a two-wheeler or four-wheeler license, which means less physical inspection, is required at RTOs.

To make India’s roads more eco-friendly, the ministry plans to scrap 9,000 old government vehicles and improve emission standards for other vehicles.

Rules for private driving schools:

According to the rules, driving training centres should have a minimum of 1 acre of land. If four wheelers are trained, they need two acres of land. Driving schools should have proper testing facility.

Trainers must have a high school diploma or equivalent, at least five years of driving experience and knowledge of biometrics and IT systems.

For Light Motor Vehicles (LMV), 29 hours of training should be given in 4 weeks along with 8 hours of theory and 21 hours of practical. However, for Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV), 38 hours of training should be given in 6 weeks, 8 hours of theory and 31 hours of practical.

License fees and charges:

As per the new laws, issuing a learner’s license (Form 3) costs Rs 150, plus an additional Rs 50 for the learner’s license test or retest. For driving test or if repeat test is required, the fee will be Rs 300.

Also, the cost of issuing a driving license is Rs 200, while getting an international driving license is significantly higher at Rs 1,000. If another category of vehicle needs to be added to the license, a fee of Rs 500 will be charged.

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For those driving dangerous goods vehicles, renewal of approval or authorization costs Rs 200.Similarly, renewal of a standard driving license is Rs 200, but if this renewal occurs after the grace period, the fee increases to Rs 300 and an additional Rs 1000 per year or part thereof from the expiry of the grace period.

Driving instruction schools face a hefty Rs 5,000 fee for issuing or renewing licenses without training and the same fee is applicable for obtaining a fake license from these schools.

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An appeal against the orders of the Licensing Authority under Rule 29 will cost Rs 500. A fee of Rs 200 will be charged if the address or other details are changed in the driving license.