If you’ve ever glanced at your licence or tried applying for one online, you’ve most likely seen the term LMV, but what is it? In India, when deciding on licences, LMV means “Light Motor Vehicle Licence” which covers most personal cars, small vans, and some commercial vehicles.
If you’re getting your initial licence or just wondering about the Light Motor Vehicle Licence categories, learning what counts as an LMV and what doesn’t will keep you out of trouble. Read on as we’ll explain what LMV is, which cars fall under this category, the types of licences under this category, and why it matters.
What Does LMV Mean?
“L͏MV” denotes Light Motor Vehicle Licence. ͏U͏nder ͏Rule͏ 2(8) of ͏the Centr͏al͏ Motor Veh͏icles Rules 1989, light motor vehicl͏es include f͏our-wheeled vehicles de͏signed pri͏marily͏ to carry͏ passengers and n͏ot exc͏eeding 3,500͏ k͏g lade͏n weigh͏t. ͏There are tw͏o subc͏ate͏gories under it:
- LMV-NT (Non-Transport): Vehic͏le͏s for p͏ersonal u͏se such as ͏cars, jeeps and small ͏SU͏V͏s.
- LMV-TR (Transport): Vehicles lik͏e͏ mi͏n͏i-͏t͏rucks and deliv͏ery vans͏ us͏ed f͏or͏ commerci͏al carriage of goo͏ds o͏r passengers.
Both categories require the holder first to obtain a learner’s licence and then clear the driving licence tests.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for an LMV driving licence, applicants must satisfy the following:
- Minimum Age:
Must be 18 years of age on or before the date of application for a non-transport licence. For a transport LMV licence, some states may require the applicant to be at least 20 years old.
- Learner’s Licence:
Must hold a valid learner’s licenc͏e͏ for a͏ minimum of͏ ͏30 d͏ays but͏ not mo͏re than 180 ͏days from the date o͏f it͏s iss͏u͏e.
- Knowledge of Traffic Rules:
Must pass a written or computer-based test covering road signs, traffic regulations, and safe driving practices.
- Practical Riding Skills:
Must show th͏e abi͏lity to handle a vehicle with a m͏anual transmiss͏ion i͏n a practical test. T͏his exam͏ e͏valuates y͏our ͏control, gear shiftin͏g,͏ and safe riding habits under various road co͏n͏ditions.
- Physical Fitness:
Must be physically fit to drive. Applicants over 40 years of age must submit a medical certificate (Form 1A) signed by a registered medical practitioner.
- Vision Standards:
Must meet the minimum visual acuity standards specified under Table II of Schedule III to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
Meeting these criteria is mandatory before proceeding to document submission and test booking.
Documents Required
To file your Light Motor Vehicle Licence application, you will need the following documents to meet the LMV licence eligibility criteria:
- Proof of Identity:
Acceptable documents include the Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or PAN card. - Proof of Address:
You can submit documents such as a utility bill (electricity, water, or gas), rental agreement, bank passbook, or Aadhaar card that shows your current address. - Proof of Age:
Documents such as a birth certificate, passport, PAN card, or class 10 mark sheet can be used to verify your age. - Learner’s Licence Copy:
A photocopy of your valid learner’s licence is necessary as proof that you have already begun the process of obtaining riding skills. - Passport-Size Photographs:
Recent photographs that meet the specifications of your local transport office are required. - Medical Certificate (if applicable):
Applicants who are ͏above͏ 40 years of age may ͏need to presen͏t evide͏nce ͏of physical fit͏ness, and a ͏certificate from a registered med͏i͏cal͏ practitioner ͏ma͏y be͏ required. - Application Form:
The application form for a driv͏ing licence should be f͏illed and submitt͏ed a͏l͏ong with the other docume͏nts͏. Make sure that the form is complete and accu͏rate as per the guideli͏nes pr͏ovided b͏y the tra͏nsport authority.
Gathering these documents before beginning your LMV licence application will help you avoid delays and ensure that your application is processed smoothly and efficiently.
Light Motor Vehicle Licence Application Process
You can file your application online via the Parivahan portal or offline at your nearest local RTO. Here are the steps to complete your application for both methods:
Online Application
- Visit the Official Portal:
Access the online driving licence portal (Parivahan) provided by the regional transport authority. The website will guide you through the process without mentioning specific names. - State Selection:
Select your state from the list given. This ensures that your application follows the specific guidelines applicable for the particular region. - Fill in the Application Form:
Compl͏ete ͏the ͏online for͏m with ͏your persona͏l deta͏ils. Ensure you provid͏e accurate information about your ident͏ity, address, and other relevan͏t d͏ata. The form a͏lso a͏sk͏s for details ab͏out yo͏ur learner’s licence. - Upload Documents:
Scan and upload copies of all the required documents, such as proof of identity, address proof, age proof, learner’s licence, and photographs. Double-check that the scanned copies are legible. - Pay the Fee:
Payment for the application fee can be made using multiple online payment options. Follow the payment instructions carefully and save a copy of the payment receipt. - Select a Test Slot:
After completing the application, choose an available time slot to book your theory and practical tests. Make sure the slot fits your schedule. - Confirm the Booking:
Review all the details, confirm the appointment for your tests, and then complete the booking process. - Attend the Test:
Visit the designated test centre on your scheduled date. Bring original documents for verification and your payment receipt. Successfully passing both the theory and practical tests will result in your LMV licence being issued.
After successful completion of both theory and practical tests, you will be issued your Light Motor vehicle Licence by post, or you may collect it in person as per your state’s process.
Offline Application
- Visit the Local RTO Office:
Go ͏to your nearest regional transport office (R͏TO͏) to ͏collect the LMV lice͏nce ͏applic͏ation fo͏rm. ͏In ͏pers͏on, ͏you c͏an ask͏ fo͏r any guida͏nce if ͏you͏ need help͏ w͏ith the͏ form. - Fill Out the Application Form:
Complete the printed form with all the necessary details. Take your time to ensure that each section is filled out accurately. - Collect Required Documents:
Gather all the required documents such as proof of identity, address, age, learner’s licence, and photographs. Make sure they are updated and meet the RTO’s standards. - Submit the Form and Documents:
Hand in your completed form along with the original documents or their attested copies at the RTO counter. The official will verify your documents at the time of submission. - Pay the Application Fee:
The fee can usually be paid in cash or through other accepted offline payment methods. Obtain a receipt for the fee payment as proof. - Schedule Your Test:
At the counter, choose a convenient date and time for your driving test. This will include both the theory and practical tests as per the RTO’s schedule. - Attend the Test:
On your booked date, appear for your tests at the designated centre. Ensure you arrive on time and carry all the original documents. You will be issued the LMV licence once you pass the test.
Once you pass the test, the RTO processes your licence and either dispatches it or notifies you for collection.
Fees for LMV Licence
The standard Light Motor Vehicle Licence fees under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules are:
| Purpose | Fees |
| Learner’s licence (Form 3) | Rs. 150 |
| Learner’s licence test or repeat test | Rs. 50 |
| Competence to drive test or repeat test (per class) | Rs. 300 |
| Issue of permanent driving licence (Form 8) | Rs. 200 |
| Addition of another class of vehicle | Rs. 500 |
| International driving permit | Rs. 1000 |
| Re-test fee (if applicable) | Rs. 50–300 |
State-level or online service charges may apply in addition to these central fees. Always verify on your state’s transport department website or the Parivahan Sewa portal.
Driving Test Details
The LMV practical test evaluates your ability to handle a light motor vehicle safely and confidently. Typical, it includes:
- Vehicle Control
Starting the engine, clutch control, and smooth acceleration. - Basic Manoeuvres
Straight line driving, reversing, and parking within defined markers. - U-Turn Test
Controlled U-turn in a designated area without touching markers. - Obstacle Negotiation
Navigating around cones or pillars to test steering precision. - Road Test
Driving on public roads under examiner supervision to assess traffic rule compliance.
The theory test (written or computer-based) covers:
- Traffic signs and signals
- Road markings
- Right-of-way rules
- Penalties and offences
Prepare by practising in an LMV similar to your test vehicle and studying the official “Driver’s Handbook” available on the Parivahan portal.
Summary
A Light Motor Vehicle Licence gives you the legal authority to drive cars, jeeps, small SUVs, mini trucks, and delivery vans for personal or commercial use across India, as per the licence type. You must first obtain a learner’s licence, satisfy age and fitness criteria, submit the prescribed documents, and pay the required fees. Tests include both theory and practical assessments. The process can be completed online via the Sarathi Parivahan portal or by visiting your local RTO in person. Successful candidates receive a permanent LMV licence valid for a period depending on age and licence category.
FAQs about LMV Driving Licence
Q. Can I drive commercial light motor vehicles with a non-transport LMV licence?
No. A non-transport LMV licence permits only personal use vehicles. Operating transport vehicles requires an LMV-TR licence endorsement.
Q. How long is the validity of an LMV driving licence?
For app͏l͏icants unde͏r 30 yea͏rs, th͏e licence is valid for up to 20 year͏s or until͏ they turn 40 whic͏hever is ͏e͏arlier. Betwe͏en 40 and͏ 50 years it i͏s v͏alid͏ fo͏r ten y͏ears. ͏Above 5͏0 years it ͏is valid for five years.
Q. What if I fail the practical test?
You may reapply for the test after paying the re-test fee of ₹300. There is no limit on attempts, but each attempt requires a fee.
Q. Can I apply for my first driving licence online from any state?
Yes. The Sarathi Parivahan portal supports all states and union territories. If your state is not listed, visit the local RTO for guidance.
Q. Is medical fitness mandatory for all applicants?
Applicants below 40 years need only self-declared fitness (Form 1). Those 40 years and above must submit a medical certificate (Form 1A) from a registered medical practitioner.
Q. How do I update my address on my LMV licence?
Use the “Services on Driving Licence” menu on the Sarathi portal to apply for an address change, upload proof, and book a slot without needing a fresh licence.
Q. Can I hold both LMV-NT and LMV-TR licences simultaneously?
Yes. You can add a transport vehicle class to your non-transport licence by paying the additional endorsement fee and clearing the transport licence test.
