Driver document · DL
Driving licence (transport vehicle)
A driver needs a licence for the class of vehicle he drives, and a transport vehicle needs a transport class on the licence.
- Issued by
- Licensing authority
- Validity
- 5 years
- Lapse penalty under
- Section 181
- Keep it
- In the cabin and the file
What it is
What the driving licence (transport vehicle) proves
A driver needs a licence for the class of vehicle he drives, and a transport vehicle needs a transport class on the licence. After the 2019 amendment, a licence to drive a transport vehicle is valid for five years. The Supreme Court has held that an LMV licence holder may drive a transport vehicle whose gross vehicle weight does not exceed 7,500 kg (Mukund Dewangan, 2017, upheld by a Constitution Bench in November 2024). Heavier trucks need the medium or heavy goods class.
At a glance
- Issued by
- The licensing authority (RTO) of the state, with the record held in SARATHI
- Validity
- Five years for a licence to drive a transport vehicle, after the 2019 amendment
- Law
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Sections 3, 5 and 14; Sections 180 and 181
- Where to keep it
- In the cabin and the file
How to renew
4 steps, in order
PRACHSO does not issue or renew any government document. These are the steps on the official service, or the ones your appointed agent follows.
- 1
Check the transport validity on the licence or its SARATHI record. It can be different from the non-transport validity printed alongside.
- 2
Get a medical certificate (Form 1A) from a registered medical practitioner, which is required for a transport licence renewal.
- 3
Apply for renewal on the Parivahan SARATHI services, upload the medical certificate and pay the fee online.
- 4
Visit the licensing authority if biometrics or a test are asked for, then download the renewed licence or check it in DigiLocker.
Penalty for a lapse
Driving without a valid licence is punishable under Section 181 of the Motor Vehicles Act: up to ₹5,000. The owner who allows an unlicensed person to drive faces up to ₹5,000 under Section 180. States can set different compounding amounts.
Challan guide: Driving without a valid licence
Common mistakes
Where fleets slip
- Hiring a driver on his word without checking the licence class and the transport validity in SARATHI.
- Reading the non-transport validity on the card and missing that the transport class lapsed earlier.
- Putting an LMV licence holder on a truck above 7,500 kg gross vehicle weight.
How PRACHSO tracks it
The reminder goes to whoever has to act
Drivers are added by licence number. PRACHSO reads the licence validity, the vehicle classes and any hazardous goods endorsement from SARATHI, and reminds the driver in his own language before the transport validity ends. A driver whose licence has lapsed is flagged on the dispatch view so he is not assigned a truck.
PRACHSO Reminders
to Salim (driver) · English
Driving licence (transport vehicle): 15 days left
Driver: Salim Qureshi · Truck PB 10 OI 4127
Please get this done on your route this week and send a photo of the new paper.
9:02 am
Questions about the driving licence (transport vehicle)
Answers from the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the official renewal services. Last checked 12 Nov 2026.
How long is a transport driving licence valid?
Five years for a licence to drive a transport vehicle, after the 2019 amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act.
Can an LMV licence holder drive a small truck?
The Supreme Court has held that an LMV licence holder may drive a transport vehicle whose gross vehicle weight does not exceed 7,500 kg. Heavier trucks need the right goods vehicle class.
Who is fined if an unlicensed driver is caught?
The driver under Section 181, up to ₹5,000, and the owner who allowed him to drive under Section 180, up to ₹5,000. States can set different compounding amounts.
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