How to get a commercial driving licence in India?

Whether you apply online or offline, once the form submission process is complete, you must present for a driving test.

Any company that deals with freight and logistics understand the need of adhering to all transportation regulations. To guarantee that items are transported without incident, the first thing to look for is that does a driver has a commercial vehicle license (CVL). A person who does not have a valid driving license is not allowed to drive any vehicle under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act, motor vehicle legislation requires all drivers must have a valid driving license, and no vehicle may be operated unless it is registered under the motor vehicle act. In India, logistics and supply chain companies require a valid commercial driving license. Drivers of trucks, buses, and other big commercial vehicles are required to have it.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued an advisory to all state governments in April 2018, commanding compliance with the Supreme Court's ruling in July 2017 that the requirements for a commercial license for those driving taxis, e-rickshaws, two-wheelers and three-wheelers for delivering food and other logistics transports were no longer mandatory. The Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, which was passed in 2016, has also aided in the driver training process.

So, if you want to get a commercial driver's license, this article will tell you everything you need to know about CVLs, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for one. So, be with us till the end.

What exactly is a Commercial Driving Licence?

A commercial licence is a document issued by the Regional Transport Office that permits an individual to drive a commercial vehicle, authorized by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in various states. After submitting the relevant documents, and passing a driver’s test, a person becomes a certified CDL driver.

Depending on the type of vehicle, commercial licences range from an LMV cab driving licence to an HMV driving licence to a trailer licence.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, the government issues a commercial vehicle driving license that certifies the driver's eligibility to operate a commercial vehicle. Driving a commercial vehicle without a Commercial Driving Licence (CDL) is a crime.

Types of Commercial Vehicle Driving Licence

As previously stated, commercial vehicle licenses come in a variety of forms. Their classification is determined by the heavy vehicle utilized by Transport Service Providers in India that you desire to drive. The following learner's licences are available for commercial use:

1. Light motor vehicles include motorcars, delivery vans, taxis, etc
2. Light or LMV commercial vehicle for non-transport means
3. Medium goods transport vehicle
4. Heavy transport vehicle
5. Heavy motor vehicles
6. Heavy passenger motor vehicle
7. Heavy goods motor vehicle
8. Trailer

Eligibility Criteria for a Commercial Driver's License

To apply for a commercial driver's license, you must meet the following requirements:

• Should be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must be at least 18 years old. However, it varies from 20 to 22 years in different Indian states.
• The applicant must have completed the eighth grade, which is the minimum educational qualification.
• Before obtaining a commercial vehicle licence, a person must first apply for and obtain a learner's permit or a Learner's Licence.
• The applicant must have completed the necessary training at a government training school or a motor school affiliated with the state government.
• The applicant must pass their driver's test in front of a Motor Vehicle Inspector.

Documentation Needed for a Commercial Driver's License

Before applying for a license, please ensure that you have the following documents:

1. Address Proof (Passport, ration card, voter id, Aadhar card, or utility bills in the applicant's name)
2. Identity proof can include a passport, PAN card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, birth certificate, or class 10th mark sheet.
3. RTO Forms 2, 1A, and 5 must be completed.
4. Photographs in passport size - 2 Photographs when applying for a Learner's Permit - 3 Photographs when applying for a permanent CDL
5. Medical certificate
6. Fee for Application

Offline Application for a Commercial Driving Licence / Heavy Vehicle Licence

1. Visit your local RTO and receive Form 2, Form 1A, and Form 5.
2. Fill out Form 1A, which is your medical certificate.
3. Complete Form 5, in which the applicant confirms that he or she has completed obligatory instruction at a Government Motor School or one affiliated with the state government. Form 5 will be provided by the training centre.
4. Submit Forms 2, 1A, and 5 along with supporting documentation such as address evidence, identity proof, and passport-sized pictures.

Please note - It is mandatory to receive training from a Government Driving School or one authorized by the State Government. A Driver Refreshing Training Certificate is required if the applicant has requested an HMV driving licence.

Online Application for a Commercial Driver's License

The process of applying for a Commercial vehicle driver's license online is also very simple. You can apply on your own or you can visit any cyber café for applying.

1. Log in to the portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
2. Fill out the form and upload your photos and required documents, such as proof of age and address.
3. Submit Form 1A, which is required to verify the applicant's medical certificate.
4. Submit Form 5, which confirms that the applicant has completed obligatory instruction at a Government Motor School or one affiliated with the state government.
5. Pay the application fees.
6. And then submit.

Applicants will receive a serial number on their registered mobile number after submitting their documents.

Whether you apply online or offline, once the form submission process is complete, you must present for a driving test, which will be administered by a Motor Vehicle Inspector, at the specified centre on the designated day.

Application Fee

The application fee is different for different types of processes like Learner’s Licence Application, Learner’s Licence Renewal, International Driving Licence Application, Fees for Driving Licence, etc and it varies from Rs 200 to 10,000.

Procedure to get a commercial driving licence in India

1. To get a commercial driving licence in India, one must first have a learner's permit. The minimum age for a commercial driver's license in some states is 18, while in others it is 22. In addition, the candidate must have completed at least eighth grade.
2. Individuals can apply for a driver's license either online or offline, depending on their preference. Fill out the necessary forms and submit them along with the required documents.
3. To obtain a learner's license, all candidates who have applied for a CDL must first pass a written exam. After getting a learner's licence for at least 30 days, but no more than 180 days, one can apply for a permanent commercial driving license.
4. The applicants are called for a test once everything has been submitted to the RTO. The applicant's driving abilities are evaluated, and he or she will get a CDL if the presiding officer is satisfied.

Procedure to get a Duplicate Commercial License (CDL)

If you have misplaced your original commercial driving license, you can obtain a duplicate from the zonal transport office closest to you. You can even get a duplicate copy if the original is torn, damaged, or stolen.

To do so, you must submit the following documents to the RTO:

1. Application form 2
2. FIR; If your CDL was stolen or torn
3. Present the original license copy to the authority if it is torn, soiled or mutilated.
4. Photocopies of your original commercial license
5. Details of the license
6. Passport-size photographs

FAQs

Q1. Is the CDL approved by one state applicable in another state of India?

Yes, a driving license issued in any state of India is valid for all states within the country's borders.

Q2. Is a medical certificate or Form 1A compulsory for a commercial driving license?

Yes, a Medical Certificate (FORM 1A) is mandatory to get a commercial driving license.

Q3. Can I appear for the CDL test again if I fail once?

Yes, you can appear for the CDL test gain.

Q4. Who issues a commercial driving license?

The regional transport office issues a commercial driving license.

Q5. What is an LMV license?

An LMV license allows a person to drive personal vehicles. LMV license holders can thus drive non-transport motor vehicles such as personal cars and jeeps.

Q6. What is an HMV license?

HMV is an abbreviation for heavy motor vehicles. An HMV class of license allows a person to drive commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. As a result, HMV license holders are permitted to drive heavy vehicles.

Q7. What happens in case an applicant fails the test?

If an applicant fails the commercial driving license test, he has 7 days to retake it.

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