A driving license is not a mere document that you need to carry around at all times. It is proof of identity as well. In today’s digital age, driving license is issued in the form of a smart card. These cards have their own set of benefits over the traditional diary-like driving license.
1. Must Have While Driving
In India, the traffic rules that we follow are as per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Rules, 1989. These rules state that a driver must carry his/her driving license at all time while driving a vehicle. There are no exceptions to this rule and nobody can worm out of it. If you want to drive – carry an Indian Driving License. Period!
2. Stores Personal Information
Nowadays, drivers licenses are issued in the form of a smart card which contains a small, golden chip. The presence of this chip is not just aesthetic enhancement over the traditional document, it stores the biometric information of the license holder. Authorities can scan this chip to get the relevant information about the driver.
3. Is a Prominent Proof of Nationality/Identity/Age
Since the process of acquiring a driving license is not simple, this document is highly respected. A driving license is issued after thorough verification and only to eligible candidates. Due to this, it can be used as a prominent proof of identity, nationality, and age.
4. Indian Driving License is an All India Permit
A driving license is issued to people by the Regional Transport Office of the Indian state in which the applicant resides. For example, a person living in mumbai should approach the nearest RTO, i.e within the Mumbai area. Even so, the license is valid across the country. If one is migrating to other Indian states, the driving license need not be modified. However, in this case, the re-registration of the vehicle is mandatory.
5. Is Valid for 20 Years
Once issued, a driving license is valid for a span of 20 years. The only other situation in which the validity of driving license will expire is if the holder turns 50 years of age. When a driving license expires, the candidate should renew it with the RTO at the earliest. As driving without a valid license is a punishable offense.
6. Driving License can be Applied Online
Thanks to the digital India initiative, citizens can apply online for a driving license. The applicant needs to collect the soft copies of the required documents and upload them to the Parivahan website. However, it is mandatory to visit the RTO for appearing for online and practical exams.
7. The Passing Number is 12
The first exam that one needs to pass when applying for a driving license is the online test. The test questions are based on traffic rules and regulations along with the good practices to be followed while driving. The minimum marks required to pass the test is 12. You need to answer at least 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass the online driving license test.
8. Practical Exams are Tough
A lot of driving practice is required to pass the practical exam conducted by the RTO for acquiring a driver’s license. Here, the candidate is asked to drive forward on an 8-shaped path and in reverse on the S-shaped road. We advise you to practice these complex turns and shapes well in advance.
9. You Need Minimum Documentation If You Use Aadhaar
One can use Aadhar verification on the Parivahan website to create an account. Your personal details will be accessed through your verified Aadhar UID. Through this, you don’t need to collect a lot of documents while applying for a driving license.
10. Codes on The Back Depict Types of Vehicles
If you ever noticed the alpha-numeric codes on the back of your driving license and wondered what they meant, the mystery is solved! Those codes depict various classes of vehicles. On the front side, you will find the same codes, just between the golden chip and your photo, these depict the types of vehicles you are allowed to drive.
