Last updated: 8 September 2026
Quick Answer: India does not issue one general driving licence. It issues a licence carrying one or more classes of vehicle, called the COV. The common private classes are MC50CC, MCWOG and MCWG for two-wheelers, and LMV for cars. Each class is tested and paid for separately.
The question people mean when they ask about types of driving licence is usually about the vehicle class. Your licence card lists the classes you are entitled to drive, and adding one later costs more than including it at the start, so it pays to know which you need.
Overview
| Set by | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, via Parivahan |
| Called | Class of Vehicle, or COV |
| Common private classes | MC50CC, MCWOG, MCWG, LMV |
| Tested | Separately for each class |
| Fee | ₹300 test fee per class of vehicle |
| Validity | Depends on your age at issue or renewal |
Latest Update
As of September 2026, the vehicle classes below are those the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways lists for driving licences issued in India, and the codes printed on your card follow that classification. Classes are added by notification, so confirm the current list on parivahan.gov.in when you apply.
What Are the Vehicle Classes on a Driving Licence?
Each class is a code on your licence, and the codes matter because you select one when you apply. The private classes most applicants meet are:
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| MC50CC | Motor vehicle with engine capacity less than 50cc |
| MCWOG | Motor cycle without gear |
| MCWG | Motor cycle with gear |
| LMV | Light Motor Vehicle |
Beyond these sit the transport classes, which cover goods and passenger vehicles driven for hire or reward and are treated differently for validity. The full class list and the guidance on choosing between them is on Parivahan's learner's licence FAQ.
Which Class Does a Scooter Fall Under?
This is the single most common point of confusion, and Parivahan answers it directly: a scooter is chosen by whether it has gears and by engine capacity, not by the word "scooter". A gearless scooter above 50cc is MCWOG, a geared one is MCWG, and anything under 50cc is MC50CC.
Why Does Each Class Cost Separately?
Because each class is a separate test. The test-of-competence fee is ₹300 per class of vehicle, so a licence covering both a motorcycle and a car means two tests and ₹600.
Adding a class afterwards is worse: it costs ₹500, against the ₹200 fee to issue the licence in the first place. The full schedule sits on Parivahan's licensing fees page, and the practical lesson is to decide your classes before you first apply rather than after.
How Long Is Each Type of Driving Licence Valid?
A private licence is not issued for one flat term: the expiry printed on your card is set by your age at issue or renewal. Twenty years from the date of issue is the statutory outer limit, but in practice the age bands below decide the date.
For non-transport vehicles the rule is set by your age on the date of issue or renewal:
| Your age at issue or renewal | Validity |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Until you turn 40 |
| 30 to under 50 | 10 years |
| 50 to under 55 | Until you turn 60 |
| 55 and above | 5 years |
Transport licences run on a shorter cycle than private ones, which is why a driver holding both may find the two expire at different times. The Parivahan FAQ carries the validity rules in full.
What About an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is not a class of licence. It is a separate document issued on top of a valid Indian licence, it costs ₹1,000, and it carries over the classes you already hold rather than granting new ones. Our guide to the International Driving Permit covers when you need one.
Which Licence Type Should You Apply For?
Work backwards from what you will actually drive, and remember that every class is a test and a fee.
- A two-wheeler only, gearless and under 50cc: MC50CC.
- A gearless scooter above 50cc: MCWOG.
- A geared motorcycle: MCWG.
- A car for personal use: LMV.
- Driving for hire or reward, or a goods vehicle: a transport class, which has its own conditions.
Every route starts with a learner's licence in the class you want. Jaagruk Bharat can file that application through our learner's licence service, and once the learner's period is served our permanent driving licence service handles the next stage. The licence itself is granted by the RTO, not by us. More licensing guides sit in our documents and licensing category.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for one class and expecting to drive another. The card lists what you may drive. A licence carrying only MCWG does not cover a car.
- Choosing by the word "scooter". The class turns on gears and engine capacity, not the vehicle's name.
- Adding a class later. It is ₹500 against the ₹200 issue fee, and a second full test at ₹300.
- Assuming one expiry date. A private licence may run to age 40 while a transport class on the same record runs shorter.
- Reading 20 years as a guarantee. It is 20 years or age 40, whichever arrives first, so a licence issued at 25 expires at 40, not 45.
