Bike License in India: How to Apply for a Two-Wheeler Driving Licence

Summary:

• Two-stage process: Learner's License first, then Permanent License after a mandatory 30-day wait.
• Requires two RTO visits total; total cost is roughly Rs. 900 and takes 45-60 days end-to-end.
• Covers eligibility by age/license type, required documents, and test-day tips for passing on the first attempt.

Have you purchased or rented a new bike? Then you might be thinking about your driving license. It is only natural to think of it first. It is not just a ticket if you are caught riding a bike without a driving license in India. According to the new Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, the fine can be as much as Rs 5,000. If you are involved in an accident, don't think your insurance will cover you.

There is no need to worry about the whole process. Most of it can be done online, and you only need to visit the RTO twice. We have mentioned the steps in this process. This is a complete guide if you are trying to get a two wheeler license for the first time in India or you want to know how a motorcycle license works in India.

The Different Types of Licences - Which One Do You Really Need?

Most riders require just the MCWG (Motor Cycle With Gear) category. If you are limited to scooters under 50cc, you would only require the gearless endorsement. If you think you would also be driving a car in the future, it would be recommended to add LMV during the same RTO visit to avoid additional visit in the future.

Step 1: Start With Your Learner's Licence

Who can apply

If you are 16 or older you can apply for a gearless scooter licence for bikes up to 50cc. For anything else on two wheels (including geared bikes) you have to be a minimum of 18. You also need a photo ID and proof of address.

Things you'll need

Your Aadhaar card can serve the purpose of both identity and address proof, and it's also advisable to carry some recent passport-sized photographs and any proof of your age, such as your passport, your 10th marksheet, or a birth certificate. Don't forget Form 1 for your medical fitness declaration. You can self-certify this for two-wheelers and skip the doctor visit.

How to go about this using the Parivahan Portal

Visit parivahan.gov.in and select your respective state. Click on Learner License under Driving License and fill in your details along with the required documents, which have to be in scanned format. The fee would be approximately Rs.150-200, but this would vary slightly for each state.

After this, you need to schedule your written knowledge test at the nearby RTO. This is a simple test of 15 MCQs and you can practice for this at the Parivahan mock test portal for 30 minutes. You should have no issues passing the test with at least 9 correct answers out of 15.

Step 2: Getting the Permanent Driving License

A minimum of 30 days after acquiring the learner's License is required to pass before you can apply for the permanent Driving License. After the 180 day mark the learner's License will expire and you will have to start the process again. Be sure to apply for the permanent Driving License after your 30 days are up.

Now, let's proceed to applying for a Driving Licence on parivahan.gov.in. You will submit Form 4 along with your learner's licence number and pay the fee, approximately, Rs.300-400. Then you will have to book an appointment to appear for the driving test at the nearest R.T.O. You will need to arrange a vehicle, for example, a borrowed bike will suffice, then you will take the test and the smart card DL will be mailed to you in 7-10 working days.

Learners Driving Licence, R.T.O. Fees, and the Cost of the Smart Card

Driving Test Tips - Passing on Your First Attempt

The 8-shape and the slalom are both high-fail manoeuvres, so you will want to practice slow-speed balance well before the test (preferably well before the day of the test).

The most common way to get an instant fail is to touch the ground while walking over the marked track, so keep both feet off the ground.

Drivers must adopt the correct habits and therefore you must signal every turn, even in an empty test track.

You will more than likely be turned away by some R.T.O.s if you try to do the driving test in slippers, so you will want to wear proper riding shoes.

You will need to book a new appointment if you arrive 10 minutes late, as R.T.O. slots run in batches. So, be at least 20 minutes early.

A Couple of Misconceptions

• You should not go in unprepared for the knowledge test. It's not difficult, but you need to know road signs. The Parivahan mock test is a good practice and takes half an hour. It is recommended.
• You should expect to experience challenges in booking the test slot in RTO centres for large metropolitan areas like Bangalore and Pune. Book your test for the permanent licence as soon as your 30 days are over.
• There are no limits to the number of attempts you can make for the driving test, but you should expect to spend as it is an expense for each attempt. You should make the attempt worth the money.
• You will not be able to ride geared bikes if the MCWG and LMV categories are not both included on your licence. Make the addition before you leave the RTO.

A Word on Renting Without a Permanent Licence

For solo rentals you need a permanent two-wheeler licence on an ONNBikes. In some cities, learner's licence can be accepted if you are with a permanent licence holder (as per the law). But this is location dependent. Check the ONNBikes app for your city before booking.

Licence sorted? ONNBikes offers scooters from Rs.300/day and bikes from Rs.500/day in Jaipur, Mysore and in several other cities. There's no deposit, and no documentation is required. Just book. Go.

The hard part is getting the permanent licence. The rest is simple. Once you have your licence, you can choose a city and bike, and actually get to riding. You can rent for the weekend or purchase your own, and not worry about the paperwork.

Common Questions

Q: Once I start, how long until I can rent a bike?

A: This usually takes between 45 and 60 days. There's a mandatory 30-day period after the learner's licence, and then it takes another 7 to 10 days for the licence to arrive after the driving test.

Q: Do I have to visit the RTO?

A: Twice. The application and payment can be completed online, but you will have to go in person for the written and the driving test. Nothing can be done for those.

Q: What happens if I don't get my permanent license within the 180 days?

A: Your learner's license will expire and you will need to completely start the process to attain your learner's license again. We suggest setting a reminder once you receive your learner's license and make sure you don't forget.

Q: Can I use my learner's license to rent a bike from ONNBikes?

A: Generally, ONNBikes requires riders to have a permanent license to rent a bike. However, in some areas, riding with a licensed co-rider can allow you to use your learner's license to rent a bike. Check the ONNBikes app to see the specific rules for your area.

In Short

Getting a two-wheeler licence in India isn't complicated, it just takes patience with the 30-day waiting period between the two RTO visits. Apply for your learner's licence as soon as you're eligible, book your permanent licence test the day the 30 days are up, and you'll have a physical DL in hand within about two months. Once that's done, the rest, choosing a bike, a city, and a rental or purchase plan, is the easy part.