Getting an Indian 2-wheeler license

whitby3001 · May 13th, 2007, 21:25

Hi,

Does anyone know how I can transfer my Illinois, USA driving license into an Indian 2-wheeler license? Will I have to take a test or can it be done more easily than that? I am living in Hyderabad on a 1 year employment visa and now also have my residents permit. Thanks for any help you can give.

David

Nick-H · May 13th, 2007, 22:35

An International Driving Permit would have done you for a year --- but you would have to have got that before leaving USA.

For an Indian licence, I suggest you go through a driving school. You may have to take a nominal number of lessons (or at least sign that you have) but they will take care of the forms and the formalities for you.

.

edwardseco · May 14th, 2007, 00:04

I'll second Nick's dot on response. To get an international you also must have the motorcycle endorsement from your home country if I dimly recall. That is what stopped me. I went for a local license but I had the advantage of actually residing in one area of India (and of gentler requirements then) and of being able to read some Marathi..

Nick-H · May 14th, 2007, 00:16

Lest my second para be misunderstood I added a couple of words.

I didn't find ignorance of the local language any problem in getting my Indian licence. I strongly suspect that ignorance of driving wouldn't have been a problem, either

!

By the way... I am now convinced of the insanity of the USA. I heard recently that a friend of mine and her husband, recently moved there from Chennai, were given full driving licences with only a short written test and no practical test on the basis that they were licenced to drive in India. America, are you completely mad?

capt_mahajan · May 14th, 2007, 00:24

Maybe a driving test would have been too dangerous.

noflylist · May 14th, 2007, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Lest my second para be misunderstood I added a couple of words.

I didn't find ignorance of the local language any problem in getting my Indian licence. I strongly suspect that ignorance of driving wouldn't have been a problem, either

!

By the way... I am now convinced of the insanity of the USA. I heard recently that a friend of mine and her husband, recently moved there from Chennai, were given full driving licences with only a short written test and no practical test on the basis that they were licenced to drive in India. America, are you completely mad?

No the American Driver licence examiner was being smart. He must have heard about driving in Chennai!

JamesW · May 14th, 2007, 01:10

My wife and I got Indian licences on the basis of having UK licences. We went to the local licensing authority and, with the help of an agent, filled in some forms, had our retinas scanned, thumbprints taken, and took all the forms for the requisite number of official stampings. Took about an hour, and our licences were delivered within the week. My UK licence is for cars only, but that didn't stop me being issued with an Indian motorcycle licence though! I'm currently figuring out how to ride one...

Familyonthemove · May 14th, 2007, 10:32

As Nick suggests .... I just obtained an International Driving Licence from a UK Automobile Association .... but I do have a full bike and car licence from the UK.

I've heard that the Indian Drivers Association (called something like that anyway?) can help once you are in India?

Suggest you bring a good helmet with you .... and fit crash bars to the bike. Some bikes in Bombay have crash bars with thick ropes wound around them to make a tug-boat style 'buffers'!

But at least you can take the whole family and all your friends on a bike here ..... at the same time.

Nick-H · May 14th, 2007, 10:46

I've heard of people getting Indian licences on that basis. I wanted the lessons anyway; even after twenty-plus years of London and UK driving I just didn't have the confidence to tackle Chennai roads, and the teacher gave me that confidence.

Now I find driving in Chennai easier than being a pedestrian! It is much less scary when you're driving.

edwardseco · May 14th, 2007, 12:18

Quote:

I heard recently that a friend of mine and her husband, recently moved there from Chennai, were given full driving licences with only a short written test and no practical test on the basis that they were licenced to drive in India.

Now Nick, anyone who can drive in India is more than capable of managing the US! When I came back I drove Indian style. You should have seen those ninnies react when I drove down the middle of the road. I also had similar reactions when I drove on the "wrong" side of the road..

Prashant.M · May 14th, 2007, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardseco

Now Nick, anyone who can drive in India is more than capable of managing the US! When I came back I drove Indian style. You should have seen those ninnies react when I drove down the middle of the road. I also had similar reactions when I drove on the "wrong" side of the road..

Nick-H · May 14th, 2007, 15:25

...Well, quite!

I wonder how I'll drive next time I'm in London

!

Prashant.M · May 14th, 2007, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I wonder how I'll drive next time I'm in London

!

Stereo blaring, 'Horn OK Please' sticker at the back, left hand on the steering, right hand sticking half outside to aid in cutting lanes, trying to fill up gaps in traffic

, overtaking from left, right and above also if possible

, creeping across the stop line anticipating green, arguing with the cops as if framed. All this done while honking away to glory. The only difference is that Nick would be sporting a manic, wicked grin, remembering past slights and extracting fearsome revenge.

goangoangone · May 15th, 2007, 09:41

If you've got a Residential Permit you can take a test. An Indian licence will get you through all the police checkpoints with less hassle. Driving instructors here can't drive.

I paid a driving school 2000rs. to fill all the relevant forms and arrange everything, including the doctor's medical certificate

(to confirm that I must be mad to want to drive here?)

I just took the tests which are an absolute joke.

shashank.aggarwal · May 15th, 2007, 10:34

about the license, I guess there is nothing such as Indian Driving License. Every state has different licensing authority, however the license issued by them are valid across India.

Every state has a different set of rules and in some areas its very easy to get a license and in some its actualy tough. For example in Delhi its not very easy to get a license made. There are lot procedures and formality, however in neighbouring Haryana OR Uttarpradesh its just a matter of Couple of hundred bucks and you can get the same easily..

Please try and check the regulations of the Issuing authority in the state you are settled in !!

May 13th, 2007, 21:25	#1
whitby3001 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Posts: 15	Getting an Indian 2-wheeler license Hi, Does anyone know how I can transfer my Illinois, USA driving license into an Indian 2-wheeler license? Will I have to take a test or can it be done more easily than that? I am living in Hyderabad on a 1 year employment visa and now also have my residents permit. Thanks for any help you can give. David

May 13th, 2007, 22:35	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	An International Driving Permit would have done you for a year --- but you would have to have got that before leaving USA. For an Indian licence, I suggest you go through a driving school. You may have to take a nominal number of lessons (or at least sign that you have) but they will take care of the forms and the formalities for you. . __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team Last edited by Nick-H : May 14th, 2007 at 00:15.

May 15th, 2007, 09:41	#14
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,499	If you've got a Residential Permit you can take a test. An Indian licence will get you through all the police checkpoints with less hassle. Driving instructors here can't drive. I paid a driving school 2000rs. to fill all the relevant forms and arrange everything, including the doctor's medical certificate (to confirm that I must be mad to want to drive here?) I just took the tests which are an absolute joke. __________________ GoanGoan......here

May 15th, 2007, 10:34	#15
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,504	about the license, I guess there is nothing such as Indian Driving License. Every state has different licensing authority, however the license issued by them are valid across India. Every state has a different set of rules and in some areas its very easy to get a license and in some its actualy tough. For example in Delhi its not very easy to get a license made. There are lot procedures and formality, however in neighbouring Haryana OR Uttarpradesh its just a matter of Couple of hundred bucks and you can get the same easily.. Please try and check the regulations of the Issuing authority in the state you are settled in !! __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 14th, 2007, 00:04	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,924	I'll second Nick's dot on response. To get an international you also must have the motorcycle endorsement from your home country if I dimly recall. That is what stopped me. I went for a local license but I had the advantage of actually residing in one area of India (and of gentler requirements then) and of being able to read some Marathi..

May 14th, 2007, 00:16	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	Lest my second para be misunderstood I added a couple of words. I didn't find ignorance of the local language any problem in getting my Indian licence. I strongly suspect that ignorance of driving wouldn't have been a problem, either ! By the way... I am now convinced of the insanity of the USA. I heard recently that a friend of mine and her husband, recently moved there from Chennai, were given full driving licences with only a short written test and no practical test on the basis that they were licenced to drive in India. America, are you completely mad?

May 14th, 2007, 00:24	#5
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	Maybe a driving test would have been too dangerous.

May 14th, 2007, 01:10	#7
JamesW Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 127	My wife and I got Indian licences on the basis of having UK licences. We went to the local licensing authority and, with the help of an agent, filled in some forms, had our retinas scanned, thumbprints taken, and took all the forms for the requisite number of official stampings. Took about an hour, and our licences were delivered within the week. My UK licence is for cars only, but that didn't stop me being issued with an Indian motorcycle licence though! I'm currently figuring out how to ride one...

May 14th, 2007, 10:32	#8
Familyonthemove Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 274	As Nick suggests .... I just obtained an International Driving Licence from a UK Automobile Association .... but I do have a full bike and car licence from the UK. I've heard that the Indian Drivers Association (called something like that anyway?) can help once you are in India? Suggest you bring a good helmet with you .... and fit crash bars to the bike. Some bikes in Bombay have crash bars with thick ropes wound around them to make a tug-boat style 'buffers'! But at least you can take the whole family and all your friends on a bike here ..... at the same time.

May 14th, 2007, 10:46	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	I've heard of people getting Indian licences on that basis. I wanted the lessons anyway; even after twenty-plus years of London and UK driving I just didn't have the confidence to tackle Chennai roads, and the teacher gave me that confidence. Now I find driving in Chennai easier than being a pedestrian! It is much less scary when you're driving.

May 14th, 2007, 15:25	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	...Well, quite! I wonder how I'll drive next time I'm in London !

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Indian Driving Test & Driving License	john.sw	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	190	Oct 9th, 2008 17:35
how do I get a scooter license in goa	fernandw	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	21	May 4th, 2007 07:44
2 Wheeler from Ooty	superbimperial	Tamil Nadu	2	Apr 4th, 2007 21:18
do i need a license for a motorcycle?	yogivivek	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	3	Nov 6th, 2004 13:19

User Name		Remember Me?
Password