RTO Exam
RTO stands for Regional Transport Office. It is responsible for issuing driving licenses, registering vehicles, collecting taxes and a host of other functions as per the motor vehicles act. In order to apply for a driving license, you need to submit an application form along with other required documents either through the online mode or by physically visiting the RTO. Driving license is issued only after the applicant passes an exam conducted by the RTO.
Types of driving license
The following types of driving license are issued by an RTO.
Learner’s license- Learner’s license enables a person to learn driving from a trained driver. This is an essential document which is the stepping stone to a permanent license. Learner’s license is valid for a period of 6 months. The holder of learner’s license is eligible to apply for a permanent driving license after a month from the date of issuance of learner’s license.
Permanent license- The permanent license is issued after the applicant passes a driving test conducted by the RTO. The following types of permanent license are issued by the RTO.
- Motorcycle without gear for driving vehicles with engine capacity upto 50 CC. The applicant needs to be at least 16 years in age to apply for this license.
- Motorcycle with gear and light motor vehicles for driving private two-wheelers and light motor vehicles. The age of the applicant must be at least 18 years to apply for this license.
- Heavy commercial vehicle license to drive buses, trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles. The applicant should be at least 20 years in age and must have learned driving in a government training school or a training school affiliated with the state government in order to apply for this license.
- International driving license allows the holder to drive vehicles in foreign countries. Passport is one of the essential documents to apply for this license.
Stages of RTO exam
Preliminary test is held for applicants who apply for learner’s license. The purpose of the preliminary test is to check the basic knowledge of the applicants regarding traffic regulations, road signs, rules of driving a vehicle, duties of a driver, essential documents, etc. Multiple choice questions are asked in the test which means that the examinee has to pick the correct answer from four options. Successful applicants are issued learner’s license.
Driving test is conducted by the RTO to check whether the applicant is fit for a permanent driving license or not. You need to take the driving test after applying for a permanent license. The application for a permanent license needs to be made after either a month or within 6 months from the date of issuance of learner’s license. In the driving test, the applicant is required to drive the relevant class of vehicle on a track within the grounds of RTO. The applicant is tested on various parameters of driving such as changing gears, reversing, taking turns, driving over speed breakers, applying brakes, etc. Permanent license is issued after the applicant successfully completes the test.
RTO Exam FAQs
Q: Who conducts the driving test?
The driving test is conducted by an inspector of the transport department at the local RTO where the applicant is registered.
Q:Â Which vehicle will be used for the driving test?
The class of vehicle for which the application has been made is used for the driving test. RTO will not provide the vehicle. The applicant needs to take his/her own vehicle.
Q: What is the number of questions and pass marks in preliminary test?
The number of questions asked and the passing marks vary from one state to another.
Q: What happens if the applicant fails the driving test?
In case the applicant is not able to pass the driving test, he/she can take the test again after 7 days.
Q: How to check the status of license?
The status of the driving license after passing the driving test can be checked either online or at the RTO. The driving license is received within 2-6 weeks after passing the driving test. If the license is not received even after 2 months, then it is necessary to enquiry at the RTO.