Any company that works with logistics and freight understands how important it is for its operation to follow all transportation regulations. The first thing to fact-check is whether the work vehicle is being driven by a driver with a commercial vehicle licence to guarantee that items will safely move to and from locations without incident (CVL). A person who does not have a current driver’s licence is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle, according to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.

A driving licence is an official document that the Indian government issues to its people that attests to the holder’s capacity to drive a commercial vehicle in open spaces and on roads. Individuals who pass the written and practical exams are given this licence. A driver’s licence can be used to prove your identification. The Regional Transport Offices of various states conduct the necessary exams and award the required licences.The three most crucial ones are the Learner’s and Commercial Driving licences.

Those who intend to operate a commercial transport vehicle like Mahindra Truck may get a commercial driving licence for both light and heavy vehicle types.

How to Get a Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)

• Applicants must first get a Learner’s Licence in order to obtain a commercial driving licence. In certain areas, the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle is 22, and drivers must be older than 18 to do so. Candidates must also have completed eighth grade.
• To obtain their Learner’s Licence, applicants must successfully pass a written exam. Applicants can submit an application for a Commercial Driving Licence after holding their Learner’s Licence for the required amount of time.
•  Applicants must complete the essential papers and submit them with the required paperwork.
• They will be asked to sit for a test when everything has been turned in. The candidate will have their driving abilities examined, and if they pass with the approval of the presiding officer, they will earn their licence.

How to Apply Online for a Commercial Driver’s Licence

In order to avoid the bother of standing in huge lines that never end, applicants now have the handy option of applying for their driving licence online. They will need to do the following actions in order to do so:

• Those interested must go to the Sarathi website in India and download the application form (Form 4).
• They will have to enter the essential information and upload it together with the required paperwork and passport-size photo (s).
• Additionally, a medical certificate in Form No. 1A must be submitted by candidates who want to get a commercial driving licence. The applicant must also provide a “Driver Refreshing Training Certificate” if they operate an HMV.
• The applicant must also have received instruction from a government driving school or one that the state government has approved since the driving school issued Form No. 5, which is also necessary.
• After submitting everything, a serial number and alerts will be sent to applicants’ registered cellphone numbers.
• Candidates must arrive at their testing location well before the scheduled day to take their exam.

How to Apply for an Offline Commercial Driver’s Licence

The methods listed below can be used to apply for a licence offline as well:

• They must get Form No. 2 by going to the regional transport office (RTO) that is the nearest to them.
• This form must be cautiously filled and sent with the other required paperwork, such as an address and age verification.
• Additionally, a medical certificate in Form No. 1A must be submitted by candidates who want to get a commercial driving licence. If they want to operate an HMV, they must additionally provide a “Driver Refreshing Training Certificate.”
• The applicant must also have received instruction from a government driving school or one that the state government has approved since the driving school issued Form No. 5, which is also necessary.
• After everything has been submitted, a serial number and alerts will be sent to applicants’ registered cellphone numbers.

Commercial Vehicle Licence Types

Commercial vehicle licences come in a variety of forms, as was already established. The sort of commercial motor vehicle for which they are being issued determines their categorisation. According to the kind of vehicle, specific requirements must be met for someone to be a CDL driver.

Qualifications for a Commercial Driver’s Licence

• The minimum age for applicants must be 20 years old in some States, and they must have completed the eighth grade.
• Additionally, a Learner’s Licence is required.
• A government motor school or one connected to the state government must have trained applicants.
• Candidates must possess the necessary paperwork.

However, according to recent sources, the Centre recently proposed lowering the education requirement. 

The Centre may also provide a particular organisation with authority to accredit driving schools that teach nationwide candidates. The government will also choose the curriculum. Candidates who have previously failed their exams may also need to take remedial training courses.

These short-term courses would address the fundamental and significant components of driving, giving students a complete understanding that would help them become better drivers. According to government statistics, the nation is now lacking drivers.

Required Documents for a Commercial Driver’s Licence

The following papers are necessary to obtain a commercial driver’s licence:

1. Proof of Address (any of the following)
   Passport
   Aadhaar card
   Voter ID
   Ration card
   Utility bills that have been issued in the applicant’s name

2. Proof of Identity (any of the following)
Aadhaar card
PAN card
Passport
Birth Certificate
10th Grade mark sheet

3. Duly filled Form 2, Form 1A and Form 5

4. Passport size photographs

5. Application Fee

Bottom Line

You must obtain the necessary licence required by local authorities if you want to operate a truck that is utilised for commercial purposes. To operate a commercial vehicle in India, you need to have additional legal requirements in addition to this one. You must also have vehicle insurance, according to the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. This safeguards your legal safety and financial security from any traffic accidents. Therefore, CDL is one of the most necessary documents you need to have if you are in the business of transportation. Going through this blog, we hope to have provided you with all the information about the CDL and why you need to get one for yourself. This blog also contains all the necessary steps you might need to get through to obtain one, so you can run your business legally and worry-free.