Indian Driving Test & Driving License

Near Mussoorie the Tehri bus went over a cliff at least once--talk about tragedy. Back then rescue operations were almost non-existent

That's likely the reason. If it is, it's a rare case of Indian driving rules being more sensible than the UK's. I think some kind of check that people are still capable of driving is a good idea. I know 50 isn't old, but you get the feeling that some of the older motorists in the UK can barely see beyond the end of their noses.

Whereas the younger ones can't think beyond the end of theirs!

Your first licence is valid for 5 years (so long as u don't cross 40), your next till u're 40, your next till u're 49 and 364 days (365 for leap years!), and thereafter perhaps every 5 years. I'm guessing your res permit is valid beyond your 40th birthday? Otherwise what Nick says is usually the norm - validity concurrent with res permit for foreigners.

I had a 1 year X visa and have a 5 year driving licence. I do not have Resident's status now.

They make mistakes... my current driving licence is also valid beyond my RP. But in principle....

When I first came here I used International Driving licences but they were expensive and had to be renewed annually. One RTO officer, high-up was staying in the same hotel where I was living, he checked my IDL and then put the word around I had a licence. Now I have a 10 yr licence from Oz - this I use but no one has ever asked me for it. After reading this post (Mr K is always saying you don't need an Indian licence you've got your Oz one) i am thinking it is not so difficult to get and should do so. Is the Australian 10 yr licence as valid as an IDL? I am starting to get a bit worried about this...

I got my Indian license in 1977 and my US one in 1979. The written test in the US was fairly comprehensive, but the practical test was about the same as the Indian one; ride around a figure 8.
I got my Indian car license later, in the early 80’s.
I needed to have been in the state for more than 180 days. Lots of things have changed, and changed back since then. But remember that the Indian license is issued by the state authority [RTO], and although every state has accepted the same set of rules drawn up by the central government, there will be different interpretations and procedures in each state.
It was very important that the car had working horn, directional signals, brakes, etc; and that it was freshly washed. They made me reschedule the road test once because the car was not “serviced”.
In India, this does not mean that it has been checked technically, but that it is washed and polished. It’s a respect thing.
The test itself was similar to the US one; a short drive with the inspector in the passenger’s seat. I took both my US and Indian tests in big Chevrolets.
Also worth mentioning here for newbies, when attempting any official work; wear shoes, long trousers, and a clean shirt. Indian officials feel insulted if you show up looking unkempt. This is a cultural thing, again, about respect.
Yes, first there was a 3 month learners permit phase; like the US, solo on bike, with licensed driver in car. License was [as I recall] 5 years, thereafter 10 year renewal.
I was never asked for proof of residency for renewal; of course, this is done by the state RTO, and they have discretion. I paid a tout back in ’77 as I was under age, but I’ve never paid anything for renewals. I generally don’t pay the cops on the road either; I have all my papers. They hand them back to me sadly and wave me on. Another churist will be along soon anyway.
You also have to have insurance document, pollution control [depends on the state], and registration book with you.

If you go through a driving school, they will handle everything for you. They'll even teach you Indian driving, though I guess that Aishah is very well familiar with it by now!

No, I do not think your foreign licence is valid without an IDP... but it may reduce even further the demands made of you when you go for a test.

If you are visiting, bring an IDP; if you are resident here, get an Indian licence. Keeps you legal, and you should have no trouble renewing it once you get the first one, as long as you can show a valid visa and RP/RC.

I now have an Indian International Driver's Permit to use when driving outside India!

Thanks guys! Have got what I need to know - will now go and get the Indian one. Interested in your International Driver's Permit, Nick - is this a separate procedure?
BTW - Yes, as Nick says, well familiar with Indian driving! Have been driving for more than 7 years here, Jaisalmer is easy, Jodhpur more like big city driving but for me, perfectly doable. It is being used to Indian driving! Haven't driven in Delhi though, but could do so. New Delhi is more organized than Jodhpur.

Yes, as in other countries, the IDP is a separate document. You have to join the AA --- I went and joined the AASI (...of Southern India) and got the permit, ten minutes before they closed on the last day of business before my flight.

No AA here but I am sure one in Delhi. Is the International (Indian) one valid for driving here? Do I need the local RTO Driver's Licence to get it? Can I use my Australian licence to get it? (I have Residential Permit etc.)Sorry about extra questions, but am thinking we are all so busy here, might be quicker for me to get that in Delhi in December... than face the RTO. Mr K tied up with many things at the moment, I am not going there - one of the boys could do it for me but they are all tied up too... In the meanwhile I am driving with this niggly thought in the back of my mind, everything should be correct.. Mr K says don't worry! Australian Licence, no problem...

As long as Mr.K is on your side you should not worry..he is a local businessman and people like him know way around things...

By the way you can get one made in Delhi as well, but not sure what would be the procedure for you...

For us locals, we have to give a written test first...after that we get a learner'slicense. We have to use that license (with limitations) for minimum one month and maximum 6 months...after which we have to visit the authority again and apply for a Permanent License. Then you have to give a driving test in your own vehicle. There are other procedures, like finger prints, photographs etc, but they usually are a breeze..

You can hire an agent, he will charge around Rs.1000 for Learners as well as permanent license, the official fees is close to Rs.500 for both..however they will get the work done in a jiffy...albeit you have to go through all the procedures but the driving test...

He can indeed help, but when???? We are all tied up at the moment with work! However, since I have gone now a number of years using Oz licence should not panic, and when we have some quieter times we will get it sorted. I had an idea if I walked into the AA with Oz licence, residential permit etc. it might be simpler in Delhi! Thanks for your info. Shashank.

Altho an AA membership is helpful in getting an IDP, it is not mandatory, certainly cannot be enforced by law. In Delhi we have to go to the main RTO in North Delhi (DL 1) to get one, regardless of place of residence and licence issue. It wud be similar in your city if there is more than one RTO. Just go to the main one and check. It's also possible that for smaller towns, IDPs are issued in the state capital only. Just ask.
Generally IDPs are for resident Indian citizens with Indian licences who obviously cannot hold licences issued by another country. But a foreign resident can get one too, altho since u hold an Australian licence which is valid on its own in many countries, u really don't need to bother with getting an IDP.
Here we have to take our pp along which needs to include a valid visa/s for country/ies being visited, fill up a form and generally it's granted by evening without any hassle.

Since u can't get an IDP without a valid Indian licence, your question re the Indian-issued IDP being valid here for driving becomes irrelevant, i.e. who cares - so long as u have your Indian licence on u? No, legally the desi IDP is not sufficient proof to meet the requirements of the law if the cops enquire.
In any case an IDP is not a licence as such, it's only a translation of each country's locally issued licence. Some countries don't even bother with it as I mentioned, if the licence-issuing country is considered "competent". Hey, I've been pulled over in London once and asked to show my licence, and the cop made no fuss when I showed him my Delhi-issued one (didn't have an IDP).

Mr. K obviously knows his way around the system, but the fact is that legally u are not in the clear with just an OZ licence. U wud have to have an Oz-issued IDP as well. If cops here and there are ignorant of the law and accept your Oz licence, that's a different thing. Certainly I've read on IM itself of numerous cases of foreigners being hauled up in Goa by the cops who know the law, and probably make a killing in bribes. Since u are umm, aah, ahem, let's say fair-skinned, in that situ the pay-off wud have to be higher if u ever got unlucky, so why bother with all that? Since u already hold an RP, getting a local licence is really no prob. Maybe u won't have to do the test becos of your existing foreign licence (I'm not sure of the law on this aspect though). If u are not forced to give up your foreign licence (many countries make u), then keep it for driving in Oz/NZ and wherever it's valid on its own. Trust this clears up some uncertainties.