Indian Driving Test & Driving License

Has any expat taken a driving test in India?

I want to take a test on my next trip so I don't have to keep renewing my International Driving Permit.

I drive a car and a motorbike - do I need two different tests?

What does the test involve, and what does a foreigner have to do to be granted an Indian driving license?

All the best,

John

Stick to your international permit would be my advise. You can always use the "I am just a tourist" excuse if you get busted for a traffic violation.

Well a foriegner would first have to have some status in India! Doing things like a driving test without residential status would be nigh on impossible!
A tourist visa (I'm assuming your on one of these) won't do!

Wow they actually have a test for road users in India. Judging by what I have seen no one has yet passed this test or the standards are very low.

Most people I know just took a few passport sized pictures and paid to have a license made. Of cause their driving skills are useless .

On my last trip in March/April I noticed how they like to park round blind bends/corners. When I told them to park further up they said "this is what we do in India" to which I replied if someone hits the back of your car from behind then do not mind as "this is what we do in India".

The roundabout system is a complete farce with traffic giving way to those coming from the left. My cousin was in the UK last year and loved the UK approach at roundabouts. Lane discipline is also a major no no. Just get the biggest vehicle you can find and just drive anywhere.

From pictures on television I have seen the approach to driving in Shanghai etc is more disciplined. With Mumbai wanting to be the new Shanghai I hope they change their driving rules.

I can't help noticing that many drivers here are useless.

I don't just mean in the Indian Roads Chaos way; actually they are mostly brilliant at that! They are very bad at basic driving.

Just watch someone turning a car in a narrow street, or reversing into a gap...

Hi,

Last time I was in Mumbai, I got a drivers licence both two and four wheeler, I think the office is located in Tardo.

The process is quite simple, you need to show that you live in India with a Indian address and proof of that, but that can be arranged with the guys in front of the Licence office, actually I didn't even take any test to get my licence. First you will get a learners permit, then after 3 months the full licence.

Sam Thakur

the driving test and licence is a joke find a tout who will get it done..

is it possible to get indian driving license based on license from some other country?

I think you need a go-kart license, not a car license. One of my work colleagues passed his motorcycle license, went to the 'office' to get it processed, paid another Rs200 and got a car one also.. no wonder they are all shite drivers.

A friend showed me his driving licence the other day. He has never driven a car: he said he doesn't know how!

you need to have resident permit to appaly for the test and first you ahve to pass an examand then you will get one learnes liscence for one month and then you have to go for the driving practical test

as i said find a tout at the licencing authority.. and he will get it done..

I am going through this process now. If you are a foreign citizen, according to the RTO, you cannot get a permanent license. You will need an international license. Otherwise, you will need proof of your legal stay in India (passport or OCI card, ration card, voter card), proof of age and proof of residence (utility bill, ration card or life insurance policy -- and i do mean the actual policy not some premium receipt or abstract). Hope this helps.

According to the American consulate:

The International Driver's License (IDL) is recognized in India. However, it is almost impossible to rent a car without a driver, and it is not necessarily cheaper than renting a car with driver. It is also safer to rent a car with a professional driver. The Consulate recommends that tourists have cars with drivers rather than drive themselves. Car rental, inclusive of driver, is inexpensive by U.S. standards.

Those who plan to reside in India for an extended period of time and who hold a valid driver's license (not an IDL) issued by a competent authority of any country outside India are eligible to apply for a local license to drive a car or motorcycle. The written part of the exam is obligatory but the actual driving part of the test will (sometimes) not be required for the issuance of an Indian driver's license.

If the IDL expires, a local driving license can be obtained by submitting the expired license and a letter of introduction from the Consulate.

The test is a joke and from what I've seen in nearly 3 years, the so called drivers are some of the worst. Drive yourself! I've passed the car and bike test. Total farce. Mind you, you wouldn't tell anyone if you failed.