Types of Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu issues a variety of licenses for those seeking a government-issued permit to ply a vehicle on the roads. License are broadly classified into Transport and non-transport licence, as mentioned below:
Non-transport licences:
Non-transport licences are issued to those individuals who seek a licence for personal use only. Such licences permit the licence holder to ply non-commercial vehicles such as private cars, two-wheelers, as well as larger vehicles solely for private use.
The minimum age requirement for obtaining a Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu is 16 years for two-wheelers and 18 years for other vehicles.
Under non-transport vehicles, the applicant is required to specify the kind of vehicle he is applying for a licence for. The various categories under non-transport licences are given below:
- Motorcycle without Gear- such as scooters and mopeds
- Motorcycle with Gear- All motorcycles with gears
- Light motor Vehicle- this includes small cars
- Motor vehicle- in case your motor vehicle is not covered in the above-mentioned categories, you will be required to specify the kind of vehicle it is
Transport Licences:
Transport licences authorize the licence holders to ply vehicles on a commercial basis. The following vehicles are categorized under Transport vehicles as per the Tamil Nadu Transport Authority:
- Light motor vehicle (transport) – this includes auto rickshaws, both for commercial as well as transport use, taxis, jeeps, delivery vans etc.
- Heavy Motor Vehicle- this includes trucks, buses, tractors
- Trailers- can be applied for by those already holding a heavy motor vehicle licence
How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu
Applying for a driving licence in Tamil Nadu has become a more convenient and simple process nowadays. Those applying for a driving licence must have a valid Learner’s Licence (issued by the state’s Regional Transport Office. The driving licence can be applied for after 30 days and before 180 days from the day of issue of the Learner’s Licence.
Online Driving Licence Application Process
Applicants who wish to apply for a driving licence can now do so online instead of going to the Regional Transport Office. They can download the application form and do the preliminary paperwork from the comfort of their homes. They can also book appointments with the RTO based on their convenience, assuring them of an appointment when they visit the RTO. This also saves time, since they will not have to wait for the other applicants to complete their test. The steps for online application for a driving licence re-listed below:
Application form:
When applying for a driver’s licence in Tamil Nadu, every applicant has to submit an application form. This form, known as the “Application for Licence to Drive a Motor Vehicle”, is available on the Tamil Nadu government’s official website.
The form is to be printed and filled out and submitted to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) nearest to the applicant’s residence.
Document Submission:
Once the form has been filled, it has to be submitted to the RTO with the supporting documents.
After submitting the form, the RTO will verify the details based on the documents and the applicant will be notified as to his eligibility for the driving test.
Booking Appointment for Licence:
Once the applicant’s eligibility for the test has been confirmed, he can book an appointment for the driving test online by logging on to www.tnsta.gov.in, the official website for the Tamil Nadu transport authority.
On the site, he can click on the “Online Appointment Booking for Driving Licence” tab, whereupon an online form will appear.
The applicant is required to fill in all the relevant information and select a date and time for the appointment. The time slot facility is only valid for appointments made within 30 days of the online application being made.
The applicant can check the availability of the date and time slot he has selected, or choose another one based on his convenience.
Once all the information has been provided, click “submit” for the request to go through.
Driving test:
After making the appointment, the applicant has to be present at the RTO along with all his original documents as mentioned in the application form.
The RTO officer will verify the information and the applicant will have to take the driving test.
If the applicant is successful, then he will be issued with a driving licence.
Offline Driving Licence
ApplicationEligible applicants can also make an offline driving licence application by visiting the nearest Regional Transport Office and collecting an Application form.
They can fill out the form and submit the supporting documents based on the licence they are applying for to the RTO, after which they will be notified regarding their eligibility for the driving test.
Eligible applicants can then visit the RTO and appear for the driving test. If they have successfully cleared the test, they will be issued with a driving licence.
Documents required for Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu
Driving Licence applicants in Tamil Nadu are required to submit a list of documents when applying for a licence. The documents to be submitted are given below:
- Application form (Form 4), duly filled in and signed
- Proof of address (refer below for documents)
- Proof of age (refer below for documents)
- Citizenship declaration (refer below for documents)
- Learner’s licence (original)
- Passport sized photographs
- Valid vehicle documents
Proof of address documentation
Any one of the following is to be submitted as address proof:
- Passport
- Life insurance policy
- Voter’s ID card
- Government-issued payslip
- Affidavit sworn before a Judicial or Executive Magistrate or Public Notary
Proof of age documentation
Anyone of the following is to be submitted as proof of age:
- School certificate
- Birth certificate
- Affidavit was sworn before a Public Notary or Executive Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate
Driving Licence Application Fee
Applicants are required to pay a fee when registering for a driving licence. The fee levied is Rs. 250.
Test Procedure for Driving Licence in Tamil Nadu
Individuals applying for a Driver’s Licence in Tamil Nadu will have to take a driving test to prove their driving capabilities. This test will be conducted at the Regional Transport Office under the supervision of a Motor Vehicle Inspector.
- The applicant must have a valid Learner’s Licence. In the case of expired Learner’s Licences, the driving test should be conducted within 30 days of the Learner’s Licence having lapsed.
- If the applicant is unsuccessful, he may re-take the test at a later date.
- Successful applicants will have their Driving Licence sent to them by post to the address mentioned on their application form.