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How to Get a Commercial Driving Licence in India in 2024?

Driving a commercial vehicle is far different from driving a personal vehicle and involves added risks. Therefore, before allocating a commercial driving licence (CDL), the government ensures that the driver is well equipped with driving ethics, rules, and techniques.

Now, there are variations in commercial licenses based on the type of vehicle.

Applying for it and getting the same involves certain stages, which we will discuss in detail.

Team Digit

Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)
Types of Commercial Driving Licence
Eligibility to Apply
Documents Required
How to Apply?
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)?

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, the government provides a commercial vehicle driving licence acknowledging the driver's eligibility to drive a commercial vehicle.

It is as good as a personal driving license; however, you can use it for both commercial and personal vehicles. Commercial vehicles include trucks, cars, buses, etc., carrying passengers and goods through highways and roads.

Driving commercial vehicles without a CDL is a punishable offence.

Types of Commercial Driving Licences in India

In India, there are eight types of CDL based on the type of vehicle you will drive. Training for a light commercial vehicle licence is different from heavy vehicle training, as the risk and mode of operations are separate.

Types of Commercial Driving Licence	Category of Vehicles
LMV	Light motor vehicles include motorcars, delivery vans, taxis, jeeps. It comprises the range of private licence to commercial licence.
LMV - NT	Light or LMV commercial vehicle for non-transport means
MGV	Medium goods vehicle
HTV	Heavy transport vehicle
HMV	Heavy motor vehicles
HPMV	Heavy passenger motor vehicle
HGMV	Heavy goods motor vehicle
Trailer	A heavy motor vehicle licence is necessary for getting a trailer licence.

Eligibility to Apply for Commercial Driving Licence

You should meet the following specifications to apply for a commercial driving licence -

Should be a citizen of India.
Your age for CDL eligibility is above 18 years. However, it differs in some states of India to 20 or 22 years.
Educational qualification should be 8th-grade pass or more.
Should have a learners’ licence.
To apply for CDL, you have to take training from a government motor training school or one affiliated with the government.

Documents Required for Commercial Driving License

You must keep the following documents handy to apply for Commercial Driving License:

Proof of residence (Passport, Voter ID, Ration card etc.)
Identity proof (Aadhaar card, birth certificate, PAN card etc.)
Duly filled application Form 2, Form 1A and Form 5
Original learner’s license
Passport size photograph

How to Apply for a Commercial Driving Licence?

Online Application for a Commercial Driving Licence

Digitisation has made commercial driving license application online process significantly easier.

Log in to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways’ portal.
Download form no. 4 for driving license commercials.
Now fill in the form and upload it with required documents regarding your identity and address proof, such as passport, voter ID or Aadhaar card.
Upload Form 1A for a medical certificate and Form 5 furnished by the training centre.
Now pay the fees.
And submit.
After successful submission, you will get a serial number on your registered mobile number.

The applicant must go to the training centre and appear for the test on the allotted date.

Offline Application for a Commercial Driving Licence

Apart from the commercial driving license application online process, you can also use offline mode.

Visit your nearby Regional Transport Office.
Collect Form no. 2.
Submit the filled up form, and along with that, submit:
- Form no. 1A for medical fitness.
- Form no. 5 furnished by the training centre.
- All necessary documents like passport, voter ID or Aadhaar card for proof of identity and residence.
Now submit all these forms and documents along with fees.
You will get a serial number on your registered mobile after successful submission.
You can select the date and time for giving the driving test. After passing the exam, you can obtain the license.

Using this process, your question regarding how to apply for a commercial driving licence offline will be resolved seamlessly. However, one must also be aware of the commercial driving license fee.

You should be well trained in driving your vehicle to apply for a commercial driving licence. It requires a learning driving licence issued at least six months earlier than applying for commercial type. The government is improving the driver training curriculum to bolster the commercial driving industry with expert drivers.

FAQ's about Commercial Driving Licence

All

Is the CDL approved by one state applicable in another state of India?

Yes, the CDL furnished by any state is applicable for all states in India.

Is a medical certificate or Form 1A compulsory for a commercial driving license?

Yes, Form 1A is compulsory for all.

Can I appear for the CDL test again if I fail once?

Yes, you can reapply again after six months for the CDL test, in case you have failed once.

Who issues a commercial driving license?

The Regional Transport Office provides it after taking a rigorous practical and theoretical exam

How to get a commercial DL in India?

Commercial DL is required for you to drive a commercial vehicle on highways and public roads. To obtain a commercial DL, follow the mentioned steps:

Step 1: Go to the nearby Regional Transport Office.
Step 2: Collect Form No.2 from the office.
Step 3: Make sure you fill in all the required details and submit the duly filled form along with the necessary documents.
Step 4: Pay the required fees.
Step 5: Once you have completed the process of submission you will receive a serial number. Use it to book a test slot at your convenience.
Step 6: If you pass the examination, you will receive the commercial DL.

Can a private vehicle be converted to a commercial one?

Yes. To convert a private car into a commercial one, visit the Sarathi Parivahan website. Choose the vehicle-related options from the following and select the option for vehicle conversion.

What is the validity of a commercial driving license?

The commercial driving license is valid for 3 years.

Is there any pre-requisite driving experience for getting a commercial driving license?

Yes. The applicant must have at least one year of driving experience with an LMV before applying for a commercial DL.

Is there any online process for the application of a Commercial Driving License?

The application for a Commercial Driving License can be completed through Sarathi Parivahan's website.

How to renew the commercial DL offline?

You would have to go to the nearest RTO, fill out the renewal application form, submit the required documents, and pay the necessary fee. You may have to undergo a few medical tests if required.

Is a medical certificate required for a commercial DL?

Yes. To obtain a commercial DL, the applicant must have to submit a valid medical certificate.

What will happen if I fail the commercial driving licence test?

If you fail the test, the presiding officer will brief you about the next steps that are to be followed.

What should I do if I lose my commercial DL?

If you have lost your commercial DL, you should apply for a duplicate DL in the same RTO it had been registered for the first time.

Is having a commercial DL required for cab drivers?

No. The cab drivers no longer need to have a commercial DL if they want to transport passengers.

Do I need to get a permanent driving License before getting a commercial one?

Yes. A permanent driving License is mandatory for you to get a commercial DL.

What is the difference between commercial and private licence?

A private licence can only be used to drive personal cars, not commercial ones. However, if you have a commercial DL you can drive both personal as well as commercial vehicles.