No new nationwide rule allowing people to get a driving licence without an RTO test began on June 1, 2024. A limited exemption already applies to applicants who successfully complete training at an Accredited Driver Training Centre (ADTC) and receive its prescribed Form 5B certificate. An ordinary driving school’s Form 5 certificate does not qualify, and the licensing authority—not the training centre—still issues the licence.
What changed on June 1, 2024?
Nothing in the rules took effect on that date to create a new general exemption. In a clarification issued June 1, 2024, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the rules for Accredited Driver Training Centres—Rules 31B to 31J of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989—were inserted by GSR 394(E) on June 7, 2021, and had applied since July 1, 2021. The ministry said no change was envisaged from June 1, 2024. Read the ministry clarification.
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The ADTC framework was announced in June 2021. Accredited centres are equipped with facilities including simulators and dedicated driving-test tracks; successful trainees can be exempt from the RTO driving test when applying for a licence. See the 2021 announcement. MoRTH later announced an amendment to the ADTC rules in September 2022, specifying that trainees must pass a test of competence to drive to receive the proficiency certificate for licence issuance. See the amendment summary.
Which certificate can exempt you from the RTO driving test?
| Training route | Certificate | RTO driving-test exemption | Who issues the licence? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Successful course completion at an accredited ADTC | Form 5B | Yes, under the applicable rule | The licensing authority |
| Ordinary driving school | Form 5 | No | The licensing authority |
The distinction is specific: the exemption depends on completing training at a qualifying ADTC and obtaining Form 5B. A private school is not automatically an ADTC, and a Form 5 certificate from an ordinary driving school does not replace the RTO driving test. Even with the qualifying certificate, the training centre does not issue the licence; that decision remains with the licensing authority. MoRTH’s clarification explains the distinction.
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What is the usual route to a permanent driving licence?
For the ordinary process, Parivahan says applicants apply for a permanent licence with a learner’s licence for the relevant vehicle class, schedule a competence test, and bring a vehicle of the relevant type to demonstrate driving ability. The applicant must have held a valid learner’s licence for at least 30 days to appear for the test. See Parivahan’s permanent-licence guidance.
A learner’s licence is valid for six months, and Parivahan says an applicant may apply for a new driving licence after 30 days. Check learner’s-licence validity and timing. The 30-day period is a minimum before applying or appearing as described in the relevant guidance; it does not mean the licence is issued automatically after those days.
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How to check your state’s application steps
- Open Parivahan’s learner’s-licence guidance and follow its Sarathi link.
- Select your state in Sarathi. The available flow and local steps can differ by state.
- Check your State Transport Authority or licensing authority’s instructions for the relevant vehicle class and the current process.
- If seeking the ADTC exemption, confirm that the centre is currently accredited and that successful completion will result in the prescribed Form 5B certificate. Do not assume an ordinary driving-school certificate qualifies.
- Follow the state’s appointment and document instructions. Parivahan’s learner-licence guidance says to attend the RTO on the scheduled date with original documents and the fee slip.
Parivahan also describes the type of test conducted at an RTO. Local application details and ADTC availability can vary, so check directly with the relevant state authority rather than relying on a nationwide list or a school’s description alone.
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