A two wheeler licence is not a separate card. It is an ordinary driving licence (DL) that carries one or both two-wheeler classes from Section 10(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act: motor cycle without gear, and motor cycle with gear. You apply for it the same way as any DL: a learner's licence (LL) first, then the permanent licence after a driving test.
This guide covers which class to choose, the age rules, the online process on the Sarathi portal, documents, fees, the test, and the rules you must follow once you ride. It is an independent guide; all applications are made on the official site.
Gear and gearless: which two wheeler licence class you need
| Class | Common short form | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Motor cycle without gear | MCWOG | Gearless scooters and scooties (the "non gear" or "without gear licence") |
| Motor cycle with gear | MCWG | Geared motorcycles (the "with gear licence") |
These are separate classes, so a licence with only the gearless class does not let you ride a geared bike. Many people apply for both on the same learner's licence application. The short forms above are common usage; we could not verify an official code list, so go by the class names on Sarathi.
A car needs the light motor vehicle (LMV) class, which is separate again. See LMV driving licence and other classes.
Age for a two wheeler licence
- 18 years: Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act says no one under 18 may drive a motor vehicle in a public place.
- 16 years, small motorcycles only: Punjab Transport states that a motorcycle with engine capacity not exceeding 50cc may be driven from 16. Andhra Pradesh's transport department lists 16 for up to 50cc with guardian consent, and Telangana's lists 16 for a gearless motorcycle with a guardian declaration.
Riding underage is costly. Under Section 199A, an offence by a juvenile carries a ₹25,000 fine and up to 3 years' imprisonment, the guardian or owner is deemed guilty, the vehicle's registration is cancelled for 12 months, and the juvenile cannot get an LL or DL until age 25.
How to apply for a two wheeler licence online
- Open Sarathi and choose your state. Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, select your state, then the learner's licence service.
- Fill Form 2 and pick the class. Choose motor cycle without gear, with gear, or both. You will get an application number by SMS.
- Upload documents and pay. Upload proofs, photo and signature, then pay online.
- Watch the tutorial and take the LL test. The online safe-driving tutorial and the objective test are due within seven days of applying. In several states this can be done from home with Aadhaar authentication; elsewhere you take it at the RTO. You need 60 per cent to pass.
- Download your learner's licence. It is issued electronically in Form 3 and is valid for 6 months.
- Practise, then apply for the DL. State pages say you can apply 30 days after getting the LL. Apply before the LL expires, then book a driving test slot.
- Pass the driving test. Take it before a Motor Vehicle Inspector on a two-wheeler of the class you applied for, then wait for the licence.
Full detail for each stage: learning licence, learning licence test and driving licence online apply.
Documents for a bike or scooty driving licence
- Proof of age and proof of residence. Chhattisgarh Transport, for example, accepts Aadhaar, passport, birth certificate, PAN or school certificates for age, and Aadhaar, electricity bill, passport, ration card with photo and others for address.
- Form 1, the self-declaration of physical fitness. Since 2021 Form 2 includes this declaration.
- Form 1A medical certificate only if you are 40 or older (Tamil Nadu's flow asks applicants over 40 to upload it before the test).
- Photo and signature for upload.
- For the driving test: your valid LL and the test vehicle's papers. Tamil Nadu lists RC, insurance, tax card and PUC.
The full list is on documents required for driving licence.
Two wheeler licence fees
| Item (Rule 32 CMVR) | Central fee |
|---|---|
| Learner's licence, per class | ₹150 |
| Learner's licence test or retest | ₹50 |
| Driving test or retest, per class | ₹300 |
| Issue of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Smart card DL (where issued), additional | ₹200 |
| Adding another class later (for example a car) | ₹500 |
States add service charges, so the amount you pay is higher. Examples from state pages: Puducherry lists ₹230 for a single-class LL and ₹410 for two classes; Delhi lists ₹500 for one LL category and ₹950 for two. Rajasthan issues only e-DLs since 1 April 2024 and does not charge the smart card fee. Details: driving licence fees.
If you want both gear and gearless, put both classes on the same application. It is simpler than adding a class later.
The two wheeler driving test
The test of competence to drive is held before a Motor Vehicle Inspector under Rule 15 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Bring a two-wheeler of the class you are being tested for, with its papers.
- The exact test layout is set by each state. Kerala's MVD, for example, uses an "8" track for two-wheelers followed by a road test.
- If you fail, pay the retest fee and book another slot. Some states limit attempts; Tamil Nadu allows a retake after 7 days and bars retests for 60 days after three failures.
- Under Section 9(5), someone who fails the re-test must complete a remedial driver training course.
- Candidates who pass the test at an Accredited Driver Training Centre are exempt from the driving test at the RTO. Since 2022 the ADTC rules have a more detailed two-wheeler syllabus. See driving school.
More on what happens on the day: driving test.
2 wheeler and 4 wheeler licence together
You can hold both on one licence. Choose motor cycle with gear (or without gear) and light motor vehicle on the same LL application, and pay the LL fee for each class. You then take a driving test for each class.
If you already have a two-wheeler DL, get an LL for the LMV class and apply to add it. If an application is still pending, Sarathi lets you add one more class through Modify Applications, Add Class of Vehicles.
Rules every two-wheeler rider must follow
| Rule | Penalty under the 2019 Act |
|---|---|
| Helmet for every rider above four years of age (Section 129; Sikhs wearing a turban are exempt) | ₹1,000 and disqualification for 3 months (Section 194D) |
| No more than one pillion (Section 128) | ₹1,000 and disqualification for 3 months (Section 194C) |
| Riding without a licence | ₹5,000 (Section 181) |
- Keep both hands on the handlebar and use dipped headlights in the daytime (2017 driving regulations).
- A child below four on a motorcycle must use a safety harness and crash helmet, and the speed must not exceed 40 km/h.
- MoRTH limits for two-wheelers: 80 km/h on divided highways (and on expressways only where permitted), 60 km/h within municipal limits and on other roads.
States set their own compounding amounts, so on-the-spot fines can differ. See traffic fines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age for a two wheeler licence in India?
18 years for most motorcycles and scooters. Punjab Transport states that a motorcycle of up to 50cc may be driven from 16, and some states ask for guardian consent at that age.
Is a gearless licence valid for a geared bike?
No. Motor cycle without gear and motor cycle with gear are separate classes, so you need the with-gear class on your licence to ride a geared motorcycle.
Can I apply for a two wheeler licence online?
Yes. The learner's licence application, fee payment and in several states the LL test are online on Sarathi. The driving test is taken in person.
How soon can I get the permanent licence after the LL?
State pages such as Odisha and Puducherry say you can apply 30 days after getting the LL. You must apply before the 6-month LL validity ends.
Do I need a licence for a scooty?
Yes. A gearless scooty needs the motor cycle without gear class. Riding without a licence attracts a ₹5,000 fine.
What is the fee for a two wheeler licence?
The central fees are ₹150 per class for the LL, ₹50 for the LL test, ₹300 per class for the driving test and ₹200 for issue of the DL. States add service charges.