The Motor
Vehicles Act of 1988 has made it compulsory for anyone who wishes to drive a
vehicle in Tamil Nadu to obtain a driving licence first. However, to obtain a
valid DL, it is mandatory for people to first apply for a learner’s licence. The
application for a learner’s licence can be done either online or offline. The
applicants are required to fill in the forms, attach the documents, make the
payment, and clear the learner’s licence test. When the test is cleared, the
RTO will issue the learner’s licence to the applicant.
Whether you apply for a learner’s licence online or
offline in Tamil Nadu, the basic process remains the same. While some might
consider the offline process of applying more efficient, others believe that
applying online is far more convenient. Mentioned below are both methods of
applying and the steps needed to successfully obtain a learner’s licence.
The online application process is extremely quick and can be done from
anywhere using a smartphone or a computer with internet connectivity.
Applicants can visit either the official website of the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways – https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
or the Transport Department of Tamil Nadu website – https://tnsta.gov.in/tnsta/homepage
to get further information. The application forms and rules and regulations can
also be found on these websites. Once the forms are filled in correctly, the
applicant must scan and attach the required documents before submission. These
websites also allow the applicants to make the online payment for the
application fees. After the payment is made, the applicant will have to select
a date and time to visit the RTO for the learner’s licence test. If the test is
cleared, the RTO will issue the licence immediately.
The offline learner’s licence application process is a little different wherein the applicant must visit the nearest RTO in the state/city. All the required forms can be found at the RTO office. The applicants must then correctly fill in the forms and attach copies of the requested documentation for proper verification. If everything is in order, the applicant must make the application fee payment either through cash or credit/debit card. After the payment is completed, the applicant must pick out a date and time slot to appear for the learner’s licence test at the RTO. On the selected date, the applicant must visit the RTO once again and give the test. If the applicant clears the test, the RTO will issue the learner’s licence immediately.
Before
anyone can obtain a learner’s licence in Tamil Nadu, they must specify the type
of vehicle they intend to drive using the LL. There are a number of options to
choose from which varies from vehicle to vehicle. Listed below are the
different types of learner’s licences in Tamil Nadu:
Learner’s Licence for non-geared motorcycles.
Learner’s Licence for geared motorcycles.
Learner’s Licence for Medium Goods Vehicles.
Learner’s Licence for MPV or Medium Passenger Vehicles.
Learner’s Licence for HGV or Heavy Goods Vehicles.
Learner’s Licence for HPV or Heavy Passenger Vehicles.
Learner’s Licence for LMV or Light Motor Vehicles.
Learner’s Licence for Invalid Carriage.
Learner’s Licence for motor vehicles with specific descriptions.
Tamil Nadu (TN) Learner’s Licence (LL) – Eligibility Criteria
The
learner’s licence eligibility criteria depends and varies on the type of
vehicle chosen by the applicant in Tamil Nadu. Listed here are those criteria:
The minimum age required to obtain a learner’s licence for a Light Motor Vehicle in Tamil Nadu is 18-years.
The minimum age required to obtain a learner’s licence for a non-geared motorcycle up to 50cc engine capacity is 16-years. They should also possess a letter of consent from the parents or guardian.
The minimum age required to obtain a learner’s licence for a Commercial Vehicle in Tamil Nadu is 20-years.
A commercial learner’s licence is only issued to an applicant who is already holding a permanent driving licence for a Light Motor Vehicle for at least one year.
Anyone applying for a learner’s licence must have a knowledge of the Tamil Nadu traffic rules and regulations.
Documents Required for Learning Licence in Tamil Nadu
In
order to successfully submit a learner’s licence application, the applicant
must attach some important documents. These documents help verify the
applicants identity, age, and residential address. The documents required for a
learner’s licence application form are:
Correctly filled out Medical Certificate Form 1 and Physical Fitness Certificate Form 1A.
Age Proof – Ration Card, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Birth Certificate, LIC Policy.
In case an applicant is applying for a learner’s licence for a transport vehicle, proof that the applicant holds a permanent driving licence for a LMV for at least 1 year.
How to Apply for a Duplicate Learning License in Tamil Nadu?
If a learner’s licence is misplaced, damaged, or stolen in Tamil Nadu, the holder of the licence must inform the RTO from where the licence was issued. Going forward, the holder must apply for a duplicate learner’s licence. The required form must be filled and specific documents should be attached before submission to the RTO. A nominal fee is also required to be paid by the applicant.
Steps to apply for a Duplicate Learning Licence in Tamil Nadu:
In order to apply for a duplicate learner’s licence
in Tamil Nadu, the applicant should follow the below-mentioned steps:
Visit the RTO office or website and correctly fill in the LLD form.
Attach the requested documents
Attach two passport-sized photographs.
Enter the details of the misplaced/stolen learner’s licence.
Lodge an FIR if the learner’s license was stolen and attach a copy of it with the form.
Pay the requested application fees.
How to Make Corrections in Learner’s License?
There
are some times when the RTO makes some minor, yet, vital mistakes while
preparing the learner’s licence. Given the fact that the learner’s licence is
an important document, these mistakes have to be corrected by the RTO. Along
with an application, the licence holder will have to attach documents proving
the incorrect information. After paying a nominal fee, the learner’s licence
will be corrected by the RTO and issued to the registered address. Here are
some of the vital points to remember when making corrections to the learner’s
licence:
Any corrections to the learner’s licence can only be made by the
RTO that issued the learner’s licence and no other RTO in the state.
The documents specified by the RTO should be presented to make the
corrections.
A copy of the learner’s licence must be submitted to the RTO along
with an application for the requested changes.
Once the application is approved, a nominal fee will be required
to be paid by the applicant after which a receipt will be issued.
The fee payment receipt can be used as proof till the new
learner’s licence is issued by the RTO.
Learning Licence Test Procedure in Tamil Nadu
When
the applicant successfully submits the application form and pays the fees, they
must select a date and time to appear for the learner’s licence test at the RTO.
While the test itself is quite easy to clear, there are some vital points you have
to keep in mind before giving it. Follow these tips and you should have no
worries in clearing the test.
The LL test shows the applicant’s knowledge about traffic rules
and regulations, signs, and safety measures.
It is a written test and is conducted in front of a Motor Vehicles
Inspector or can be done online as well.
If the applicant does not successfully pass the test, they can
re-appear for the test on the following day.
If the applicant clears the test, the learner’s licence will be
issued immediately.
Once cleared, the applicant is required to have an “L” symbol on
their vehicle and can only drive with an experienced driver present.
Q: What is the validity of a Learner’s Licence in Tamil Nadu?
A: A learner’s licence in Tamil Nadu is valid for up to 6 months. It can, however, be renewed after it has expired.
Q: Is my learner’s licence issued in another state valid in Tamil Nadu?
A: Yes. A learner’s licence from another state in India is valid in Tamil Nadu and can be used for practice driving along with a permanent driving licence holder.
Q: What documents have to be submitted when applying for a Learner’s Licence?
A: When applying for a learner’s licence, you must submit the following documents: 1. Medical Certificate 2. Application Form 3. Age and Address Proof 4.Fitness Certificate 5. For Transport learner’s licence applicants, a motor training school certificate
Q: Are there any rules pertaining to driving with my Learner’s Licence?
A: Yes. A learner’s licence holder cannot drive a vehicle without a permanent driving licence holder being present.
Q: Is it possible to re-take the driving test?
A: Yes. The driving test can be retaken after 7 days from the day of the original test.
Q: What is the validity of the Tamil Nadu learning license?
A: The validity of a Tamil Nadu learner’s licence is 6 months from the date of issuance.
Q: Can I renew my learning license in Tamil Nadu?
A: Yes. The learner’s licence in Tamil Nadu can be renewed so long as the applicant has not applied for a permanent driving licence.
Q: Can I check the status of learning license online in Tamil Nadu?
A: Yes. The learner’s licence status can be checked by visiting https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/. Details such as the Application Number and DOB must be entered.
Q: How many times can I re-appear for a learning license test in Tamil Nadu?
A: In Tamil Nadu, you can reappear for the learner’s licence test for a maximum of 3 times.
Q: What documents do I need to submit for an address change in learning license?
A: If you wish to change your address on the learner’s licence, you will have to submit the original learner’s licence and a document that contains the new address.
How to Apply for Learning Licence in Other States: