To legally drive a two-wheeler on public roads in India, it is necessary to have a driving license. If you are considering buying a bike or scooter, it is essential for you to obtain a driver’s license, as you may face problems if you drive without one.
Here, we have discussed in detail the driving license rules for two-wheelers. Here you will get to know how you can obtain a driving license and what consequences you may face if you drive without a driving license.
Rules for a two-wheeler driving license
The rules related to driving licenses for two-wheelers come under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, which is managed by the Regional Transport Office. To get a driving license for two-wheelers in India, one must be at least 18 years old.
Obtaining a two-wheeler driving license is very easy; all you need is basic driving knowledge, a thorough understanding of traffic rules, and required documents, including age proof, identity proof, and address proof.
There are two stages in getting a driving license for a two-wheeler. First is getting a learner license; after that, you get a permanent license. We have shared the process of both of these below.
Learner’s License
- First of all, you have to apply for a learner’s license by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, which includes filling in all the details, uploading documents, and booking a slot for the learner’s license test.
- After applying for LL, you will have to participate in the learner’s license test, in which 10 to 20 multiple-choice questions will be asked related to traffic rules. You will have to answer at least 60% of the questions correctly to be declared successful in it.
- After passing this, you will receive your learner’s license by post within a few days. After getting the learner’s license, you will have to practice driving for at least 30 days.
- The rules for driving the two-wheeler on which you will practice are that you should have a registration certificate, third-party insurance, a PUC certificate, and a fitness certificate along with your learner’s license, and there should be a red-colored signboard at the back of your vehicle. Apart from this, you will also have to follow all the traffic rules, like wearing a helmet, following the red light, etc.
Permanent DL
- The validity of a learner’s license can be a maximum of 6 months. Using this, you can drive a two-wheeler on public roads for up to 6 months, provided you follow all RTO rules.
- You can apply for a permanent driver’s license within 30 days of obtaining a learner’s license.
- To apply for a permanent driver’s license, you will have to submit the application form through the Parivahan portal, filling in all the required details, and booking a slot for the driving test, along with the required fee.
- The driving test primarily involves four things: Ride in a figure-8 track without putting your foot down. Maintain balance and control. Use brakes properly. Follow traffic signals. If you perform well, you will pass the driving test.
- You will receive your permanent DL by post within a few days of passing the driving test. Once it is issued, you can also get a digital copy through DigiLocker and the mParivahan mobile application.
What if you drive a two-wheeler without a driver’s license?
If you are found driving a two-wheeler on a public road without a driver’s license, you can be fined up to ₹5,000 and can be sent to a lawyer until the legal process is completed or a licensed person comes forward to collect it.
If other documents like a registration certificate, PUC certificate, fitness certificate, or third-party insurance are not available along with the DL, then a legal case can also be filed.
If you are underage or your age is less than 18 years, then in this case the owner of the vehicle can be charged with the big penalty of up to ₹25,000, and the owner may also have to face jail time of up to 3 years.
