How to Apply for the Indian Driving License for OCI Cardholders?

If you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI cardholder), then you must have been thinking of applying for an Indian driving licence. You are allowed to work, study, or live in India for an indefinite time.

So, yes, an OCI cardholder can easily apply for an Indian driving licence, but you need to follow the rules and submit all the correct documents for the Indian driving license application.

In this blog, we will provide you with all the information, such as the application process, eligibility, documents required, and major rules for the Indian driver's license for OCI cardholders.

Is an OCI Cardholder Eligible to Apply for an Indian Driving Licence?

Yes, an OCI cardholder can apply for the Indian driving licence according to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. All foreign nationals living in India with a valid residential proof may apply for a driving licence in India.

An OCI cardholder is not an Indian citizen, but can apply for the Indian driving licence (DL) while living in India for a long time period.

This is how the OCI is eligible to apply for a driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for foreign nationals residing in India.

Application Process for an Indian Driving Licence for an OCI Cardholder

Follow the steps given below to apply for the Indian driving licence for the OCI cardholder. The application process is managed online by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through the Parivahan portal.

1. Apply for the Learner's Licence
   • Go to the official website of the Parivahan Portal.
   • Choose your state and fill out the online application with all the correct documents and details.
   • Upload all the supporting documents for your application.
   • Book a bike/car test slot for your licence.
   • Note: You must pass the basic test to get the Indian driving licence.
2. Get your learner's licence
   • Once you pass the learner's test, you will receive your learner's licence (LL), which is valid for the next 6 months from the date of issue.
3. Practice Driving
   • You need to wait for a minimum of 30 days to apply for the permanent licence.
4. Go for the driving test
   • You need to visit your Regional Transport Office (RTO) for a driving test.
   • The authorities will see the following things through your test:
     • Your driving skills.
     • Parking skills and control of the vehicle.
     • Road safety knowledge.
5. Issuance of a licence
   • After passing the driving test, you will get the permanent Indian driving licence, and it will be delivered to your registered address.

If an OCI cardholder is applying for an Indian driving licence, then he or she needs to provide the following documents.

Proof of Identity

You need to submit any proof of identification to apply for a driving licence.

• You can submit a valid foreign passport.
• Your valid OCI card.

Proof of Address in India

Submit a valid proof of address to show valid proof of actual residence in India. You can submit documents such as:

• A registered house agreement.
• A lease agreement.
• Utility bills, water bills, gas bills, etc.
• An Indian bank statement.
• Employment letter.

Proof of Age

You need to provide documents that show your proof of age, such as:

• Your passport
• A birth certificate
• Class 10 mark sheet.

Photo Requirements

You need to submit 2 passport-sized recent clicked photos with a plain white background.

Medical Certificate

You need to provide a medical certificate for some cases, to get a commercial licence, or for the age criteria.

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What if an OCI Cardholder has a Foreign Driving Licence?

If any OCI cardholder already has a driving licence, then he needs to take permission from the RTO, and the final judgment will depend on the local RTO.

If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP), then you can drive temporarily in India. However, you need to apply for a driving licence in India.

Having a foreign driving licence helps you to take the test directly. Furthermore, India does not have a universal licence conversion policy. So, you need to apply for a new driving licence in India if you are a foreign national residing in India.

Important Rules for Applying for a Driving Licence

Here are some of the important rules for the OCI cardholder given below, which every OCI should remember.

• Having an OCI card does not mean you are an Indian citizen. It allows you to stay, live, or study in India for an indefinite time.
• In India, if you have an OCI card, then you will be treated as a foreign national resident.
• To apply for a driving licence in India, you must be physically present in India.
• You will get your licence delivered to your registered address in India.
• To apply for an Indian driving licence, an Aadhaar card is not mandatory.

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Processing Time for the Indian Driving Licence for OCI

The processing time for getting a driving licence is given in the table below.

The processing time also depends on the number of applications received by the authorities and on the driving test.

What are the Reasons for Indian Driving Licence Rejection?

Given below are some of the major reasons for the rejection of a driving licence of an OCI cardholder.

• If an OCI cardholder does not provide a valid proof of Indian address, then his or her application will be rejected.
• If you apply for a driving licence on a short visit to India.
• Submitting mismatched or incorrect documents for the driving licence application.
• If you fail the driving test at the local Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Final Thoughts

An OCI card or a foreign national residing in India can easily apply for the Indian driving licence in India. They need to submit all the correct documents, such as proof of identity, proof of address, and age, along with other details. After applying for a learner's licence on the Parivahan portal, they need to apply for a permanent licence by passing a driving test.

The OCI cardholder should be a resident foreign national living in India, and can only apply if he or she is staying in India for a long period.

You can also take assistance from the Visament, where we will help you in the documentation and smooth application process, reducing the chances of rejection and errors.