Getting an Indian 2-wheeler license

rangss · May 15th, 2007, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

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?

"If you lived through India, you can drive anything"

Prashant.M · May 15th, 2007, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by goangoangone

Driving instructors here can't drive.

The chap who taught me was pretty good but he taught the local norms like honking, pushing your way through etc. I guess he has to teach that way so that one gets acclimatised to local style of driving, which I am not condoning in any way. He also taught good driving like - off the top of my head - don't jump red just because others are jumping, long right turns, short left turns etc.

tnog · May 15th, 2007, 13:08

Apparently the Delhi HC is cracking down on traffic schools that offer "short cuts" to getting licences...

Well, there goes my plan.

Quote:

Justice Anil Kumar today refused to favour a petition by a driving school challenging a government notification banning entry to public authority offices issuing driving licences and said applicants ought to obtain a licence by passing the necessary test, not through driving school instructors who “approach” authorities to “clear” their papers.

Here is a link to the full article in the May 8th, Indian Express.

sannna · May 5th, 2008, 14:03

I am thinking about taking a scooty as means of transport while living in Bombay. I do not have a driving license, nor have I ever sat on a scooty before (that is, as the driver). I was thinking about getting some lessons back home, so as to feel a bit confident and capable of driving in Bombay. But it is to costly and time consuming to take the (motor and scooter) exams as well.

A few questions:
- Do I need a license to drive a scooty in Bombay?
- In Holland I can easily obtain a moped certificate, which allows me to drive a moped (like Vespa), but not a real motor bike or real scooter. Would it be valid for obtaining an Indian license or some sort of international certicicate so as to legally drive a scooter?
- Can I obtain the license in India (being here on a tourist visum)?
- How to go about?
Thanks for your help!

Nick-H · May 5th, 2008, 14:19

Get your licence at home and then also get an International Driving Permit, which is valid for a year.

Getting a licence in India would require getting a 'Learner's licence', then taking a test after a month. Difficult if not impossible on a tourist visa; you have to be resident. Even then it can be tough.

sannna · May 5th, 2008, 14:29

Thanks nick!

I was just googling on what type of two-wheelers are for sale in India and I came across the Kinetic Luna TFR. This seems to be the cheapest vehicle under 50 cc. In Holland I would be allowed to drive this on a moped certificate, which I can obtain easily becasue I was born before a certain date (people born after that da have to take an exam). Would it be allowed in India to drive this small two-wheeler whithout a license (there was some discussion on this upthread, but I did not find what the conclusion was)?

Nick-H · May 5th, 2008, 14:37

I do not know the law relating to 2-wheelers in any detail. Over to someone else...

pundabee · May 5th, 2008, 15:46

Just to summarise the rules on foreigners acquiring an Indian driving license (I have now done it

and I even got to look through the official's law book on issuing driving licenses; he was clueless about foreigners since he had never seen one in his office, but the rules are quite clear and seem to apply to the whole of India).

1. If you have a foreign car license it will be converted to an Indian car license. If you have a foreign motorcycle license it will be converted to an Indian two-wheeler license. So, you don't have to do an actual driving test. It is assumed that you can drive.

2. Even if you have a foreign license, you still have to do the written test since it is assumed that driving rules in India are different to driving rules abroad. Safe assumption and reasonable requirement, I would say.

3. You don't need a medical certificate unless your license is for commercial purposes.

4. You need an eye test from a qualified eye specialist (typically available from large hospitals).

5. If you don't have a foreign license, you will get a Learner's License when you pass the written test. This means that you are allowed to drive, car or motorcycle, as long as you have a person with a valid license in or on the vehicle, and the vehicle displays the L sign. The Learner's License is valid for 6 months. When you feel ready, you take the driving test, which is very simple.

6. An Indian driving license is valid until you are 55 years old. After that, the license has to be renewed every 5 years.

7. If you are a resident of India, International Driving Permit is not a valid authorisation for driving in India.

There may be ways around all this (here Rs. 1000 for the driving instructor), but it is good fun going through the process of acquiring an Indian driving license. Especially if you know the rules and like to discuss these with officials (seems like a weekly occurrence in my life).

May 5th, 2008, 14:03	#19
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 155	Scooty questions I am thinking about taking a scooty as means of transport while living in Bombay. I do not have a driving license, nor have I ever sat on a scooty before (that is, as the driver). I was thinking about getting some lessons back home, so as to feel a bit confident and capable of driving in Bombay. But it is to costly and time consuming to take the (motor and scooter) exams as well. A few questions: - Do I need a license to drive a scooty in Bombay? - In Holland I can easily obtain a moped certificate, which allows me to drive a moped (like Vespa), but not a real motor bike or real scooter. Would it be valid for obtaining an Indian license or some sort of international certicicate so as to legally drive a scooter? - Can I obtain the license in India (being here on a tourist visum)? - How to go about? Thanks for your help!

May 5th, 2008, 14:19	#20
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,831	Get your licence at home and then also get an International Driving Permit, which is valid for a year. Getting a licence in India would require getting a 'Learner's licence', then taking a test after a month. Difficult if not impossible on a tourist visa; you have to be resident. Even then it can be tough. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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May 5th, 2008, 14:29	#21
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 155	Thanks nick! I was just googling on what type of two-wheelers are for sale in India and I came across the Kinetic Luna TFR. This seems to be the cheapest vehicle under 50 cc. In Holland I would be allowed to drive this on a moped certificate, which I can obtain easily becasue I was born before a certain date (people born after that da have to take an exam). Would it be allowed in India to drive this small two-wheeler whithout a license (there was some discussion on this upthread, but I did not find what the conclusion was)?

May 5th, 2008, 14:37	#22
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,831	I do not know the law relating to 2-wheelers in any detail. Over to someone else...

May 5th, 2008, 15:46	#23
pundabee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: kerala Posts: 305	Just to summarise the rules on foreigners acquiring an Indian driving license (I have now done it and I even got to look through the official's law book on issuing driving licenses; he was clueless about foreigners since he had never seen one in his office, but the rules are quite clear and seem to apply to the whole of India). 1. If you have a foreign car license it will be converted to an Indian car license. If you have a foreign motorcycle license it will be converted to an Indian two-wheeler license. So, you don't have to do an actual driving test. It is assumed that you can drive. 2. Even if you have a foreign license, you still have to do the written test since it is assumed that driving rules in India are different to driving rules abroad. Safe assumption and reasonable requirement, I would say. 3. You don't need a medical certificate unless your license is for commercial purposes. 4. You need an eye test from a qualified eye specialist (typically available from large hospitals). 5. If you don't have a foreign license, you will get a Learner's License when you pass the written test. This means that you are allowed to drive, car or motorcycle, as long as you have a person with a valid license in or on the vehicle, and the vehicle displays the L sign. The Learner's License is valid for 6 months. When you feel ready, you take the driving test, which is very simple. 6. An Indian driving license is valid until you are 55 years old. After that, the license has to be renewed every 5 years. 7. If you are a resident of India, International Driving Permit is not a valid authorisation for driving in India. There may be ways around all this (here Rs. 1000 for the driving instructor), but it is good fun going through the process of acquiring an Indian driving license. Especially if you know the rules and like to discuss these with officials (seems like a weekly occurrence in my life).

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