Last updated: 16 September 2026
Quick Answer: An LMV driving licence covers cars, jeeps, vans and other light vehicles up to 7,500 kg, and you apply online on Sarathi. You must be 18, hold a learner's licence for 30 days, then pass a driving test at your transport office. LMV-NT covers private cars, and a 2024 Supreme Court ruling extends it to transport vehicles up to 7,500 kg.
Most car drivers in India hold an LMV driving licence without noticing the letters on the card. Below: what the class covers, where "NT" and transport fit in, and what it costs to get or add one.
Overview: LMV Licence at a Glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Full form | LMV = Light Motor Vehicle (Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, section 2(21)) |
| Weight limit | Up to 7,500 kg |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Where you apply | Sarathi (Parivahan), learner's licence first |
| Base government fees | ₹150 learner's licence + ₹50 test, then ₹300 driving test + ₹200 licence |
| Validity | Until age 40 if issued before 30; later, 10 years, until 60 or 5 years, by age |
What does LMV mean on a driving licence?
LMV stands for Light Motor Vehicle. It's one of the vehicle classes listed in section 10 of the Motor Vehicles Act, alongside motorcycle with gear, motorcycle without gear and transport vehicle.
The Act defines the class by weight. A car qualifies if its unladen weight is 7,500 kg or less, and a transport vehicle or omnibus if its gross vehicle weight is 7,500 kg or less. So the LMV full form names the class, and 7,500 kg marks where it ends.
Who is eligible for an LMV driving licence?
You're eligible for an LMV driving licence once you turn 18, under section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act. There's no upper age limit.
You also need a valid learner's licence for the LMV class, held for at least 30 days. If you're under 40, you tick a fitness self-declaration that's now part of the application form (Parivahan still calls it Form 1). At 40 or above, Parivahan asks for a Form 1A medical certificate as well.
Which vehicles can you drive with an LMV licence?
An LMV licence lets you drive cars, SUVs, jeeps, vans and small goods carriers within the 7,500 kg limit. It doesn't cover motorcycles or scooters, which are separate classes.
| Licence class | What it covers |
|---|---|
| MCWOG | Motorcycle or scooter without gear |
| MCWG | Motorcycle with gear |
| LMV (LMV-NT) | Cars, jeeps, vans and light vehicles up to 7,500 kg |
| Transport vehicle | Goods and passenger vehicles used for hire, with stricter rules above 7,500 kg |
LMV-NT vs transport: what's the difference?
LMV-NT means Light Motor Vehicle, Non-Transport. It's the class for driving a private car that isn't used for hire. Delhi's transport department, for example, lists it as "Light Motor Vehicle (NT)".
A transport entry is for commercial use, such as a taxi or goods carrier. States print it differently, for example LMV-TR, TRANS or TPT, so check the classes printed on your licence.
Can an LMV licence holder drive a transport vehicle?
Yes, if the vehicle's gross weight is up to 7,500 kg. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court decided this on 6 November 2024 in Bajaj Alliance General Insurance v. Rambha Devi. It held that an LMV holder can drive such a transport vehicle without a separate transport authorisation.
Three limits still apply:
- Above 7,500 kg, the extra transport rules remain: age 20, an LMV licence held for one year, and a Form 1A medical certificate.
- E-rickshaws, e-carts and hazardous-goods vehicles keep their own special rules.
- Commercial paperwork is separate. The vehicle still needs its transport registration and permit, and some states still ask taxi drivers for a public service vehicle badge. Delhi lists one for LMV transport drivers, so check with your Regional Transport Office (RTO) before driving for hire.
How do you get an LMV licence?
You get an LMV licence in two stages on Sarathi, the licensing portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). First you get a learner's licence, then you pass a driving test at your RTO:
- Apply for a learner's licence for the LMV class on Sarathi, with age and address proof, the Form 1 self-declaration in Form 2, and a Form 1A as well if you're 40 or above.
- Pass the learner's licence test on road signs and rules, as this guide to applying for a learner's licence online explains.
- Wait at least 30 days, then apply for the permanent licence before your learner's licence ends at six months.
- Take the driving test in a car. Here's what happens at the RTO driving test.
If you'd like someone to file it with you on the official portal, Jaagruk Bharat can help with your permanent driving licence application. The fee still goes to the government.
What does an LMV licence cost?
The base government fee for a new LMV licence is ₹700: ₹200 at the learner's stage and ₹500 at the driving licence stage. These figures come from Parivahan's licensing fees and charges table:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Learner's licence (per class) | ₹150 |
| Learner's licence test | ₹50 |
| Driving test (per class) | ₹300 |
| Issue of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Addition of another class | ₹500 |
Central rules add ₹200 when the licence is issued as a smart card, bringing one class to ₹900. States add user charges on top, so Sarathi shows your final amount before you pay.
How do you add LMV to your existing driving licence?
If you already hold a two-wheeler licence, you don't need a new licence. You apply to add the LMV class to it, and Parivahan's addition of class page says a motorcycle licence holder can do this "at any time".
You'll still need an LMV learner's licence and a driving test in a car. Keep these ready: your valid driving licence, the LMV learner's licence, and Form 2 with its fitness self-declaration (plus a Form 1A medical certificate if you're 40 or above). The addition fee is ₹500, on top of the learner's licence and test fees.
How long is an LMV licence valid?
A private LMV licence issued before you turn 30 stays valid until you turn 40. After that, your age on the date of issue or renewal sets the period:
| Your age at issue or renewal | Licence valid for |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Until you turn 40 |
| 30 to under 50 | 10 years |
| 50 to under 55 | Until you turn 60 |
| 55 or older | 5 years |
| Transport licence, any age | 5 years |
When it's due, here's how to renew your driving licence online.
