Last updated: 16 September 2026
Quick Answer: You get an HMV licence in India through Sarathi Parivahan in three stages: a transport learner's licence, an RTO driving test, then the licence. You must be 20, have held an LMV licence for at least a year, and submit a Form 5 or 5B driving certificate and a Form 1A medical certificate. The transport class lasts five years.
There's no separate "HMV" class in the law any more. Since 1994, trucks, buses and every other commercial vehicle fall under one class called "transport vehicle", so an HMV licence is really your driving licence with that class added.
Overview: HMV and Transport Licence at a Glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal class | Transport vehicle (Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, section 10) |
| Who issues it | Your state transport department's RTO, through Sarathi (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) |
| Minimum age | 20 years |
| Key documents | Existing licence, transport learner's licence, Form 5 or Form 5B, Form 1A |
| Government fee | ₹150 learner's licence · ₹50 learner's test · ₹300 driving test · ₹500 addition of class, plus state charges |
| Validity | Five years, then renewal with a fresh Form 1A |
Who is eligible for an HMV or transport licence?
You're eligible for an HMV or transport licence once you're 20, have held an LMV licence for at least one year and hold a driving certificate from a driving school or accredited centre. Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act bars anyone under 20 from driving a transport vehicle in a public place.
You'll also need to pass a medical check on Form 1A, whatever your age.
Do you need an LMV licence for one year first?
Yes. Section 7(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act says you can't get a learner's licence for a transport vehicle unless you've held an LMV licence for at least one year. Only e-carts and e-rickshaws are exempt.
What documents do you need for an HMV driving licence?
You need your existing licence, a learner's licence for the transport class, a Form 5 or Form 5B driving certificate and a Form 1A medical certificate. Parivahan's addition of class requirements list Form 1A as the medical certificate "for Transport Vehicles only".
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Your LMV driving licence | The transport class is added to it; you must have held it for at least one year (section 7(1)) |
| Learner's licence for the transport class | Needed before the driving test |
| Form 5 or Form 5B | Driving certificate from a school or accredited centre |
| Form 1A | Medical certificate signed by a registered doctor |
| Age and address proof | Usually already on your Sarathi record |
Does a driving-school certificate let you skip the RTO test?
Only a Form 5B does. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has clarified how Form 5 and Form 5B differ. Form 5B comes from an Accredited Driver Training Centre (ADTC) and exempts you from the driving test.
A Form 5 from an ordinary licensed driving school doesn't. You'll still take the test at the RTO, and the licensing authority keeps the final say either way.
What is an HMV licence and who needs one?
An HMV licence is the transport vehicle authorisation you need to drive a heavy goods vehicle or a large bus. Anyone driving a truck, bus or other commercial vehicle heavier than a light motor vehicle needs it.
The Act counts a goods carriage or bus as heavy when its gross vehicle weight, meaning the vehicle plus the load it's registered to carry, exceeds 12,000 kg.
What do HGMV, HPMV and LMV-TR mean on a licence?
These are category labels some states still print or use. Since 14 November 1994, the Act has grouped them all under one transport vehicle class:
| Code you may see | Meaning | Weight under the Act |
|---|---|---|
| HGV or HGMV | Heavy goods vehicle | Gross vehicle weight above 12,000 kg |
| HPMV | Heavy passenger motor vehicle (large buses) | Gross vehicle weight above 12,000 kg |
| MGV / MPMV | Medium goods or passenger vehicle | Between light and heavy |
| LMV-TR | Light motor vehicle used as transport | Up to 7,500 kg |
How much does a commercial driving licence cost and how long is it valid?
A commercial driving licence has no single fee: you pay ₹150 for the learner's licence, ₹50 for its test, ₹300 for the driving test and ₹500 to add the class, plus state charges. It stays valid for five years. Parivahan's FAQ says a "commercial Driving license is valid for 5 years from the date of issue".
These are the central fees on Parivahan's licensing fees and charges table. States add their own user and card charges, so check the final total on Sarathi before you pay.
| Fee item | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Learner's licence, per class | ₹150 |
| Learner's licence test | ₹50 |
| Driving test, per class | ₹300 |
| Addition of a class to your licence | ₹500 |
| Hazardous goods endorsement or its renewal | ₹1,000 |
| Renewal of the licence | ₹200 |
A driver of passenger vehicles may also need a Public Service Vehicle badge. Parivahan says its validity is set by each state.
How do you apply for a heavy vehicle driving licence?
You apply for a heavy vehicle driving licence on Sarathi Parivahan by adding the transport class to your licence. You'll need a Form 1A medical certificate and a Form 5 or Form 5B certificate from your driving training. The process has three stages:
- Apply for a learner's licence for the transport class, just as for any learner's licence application on Sarathi.
- Wait at least 30 days, then book your driving test slot online.
- Take the test in a vehicle of the type you've applied for, unless you hold a Form 5B from an accredited centre. The RTO adds the class once you pass.
The waiting rule is the same one explained in how long after a learner's licence you can apply. If you'd rather not file it alone, Jaagruk Bharat can help with your permanent driving licence application while the RTO still issues the licence.
