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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter II

Section 10

Form and Contents of Licences to Drive

Licensing of Drivers of Motor Vehicles
Fine: N/ACompoundable: N/AEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION

Legal Text

A driving licence shall — (a) be in such form and contain such information as may be prescribed by the Central Government; (b) specify the class or description of vehicle which the holder of the licence is authorised to drive; (c) have a photograph of the holder affixed thereto in such manner as may be prescribed; (d) bear the signature of the holder; and (e) be valid throughout India.

Simplified Explanation

Section 10 defines what a driving licence must contain — making it a document of national validity (valid throughout India) with clear specification of what vehicle classes the holder is authorised to drive. The vehicle class codes specified in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules under this section are: MCWOG (Motorcycle Without Gear — scooters, mopeds below 50cc), MCWG (Motorcycle With Gear — all geared motorcycles), LMV (Light Motor Vehicle — cars, jeeps, vans up to 7,500 kg), LMV-TR (LMV Transport — commercial LMV), MGV (Medium Goods Vehicle), HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle), HPMV (Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle — buses), HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle), and special purpose vehicles. The national validity of driving licences is a significant provision — a licence issued in Rajasthan is valid for driving in Tamil Nadu without any endorsement. The 2019 Amendment enabled digital driving licences through DigiLocker and the mParivahan app as legally valid equivalents to physical cards.

Historical Context

The standardisation of licence form and vehicle class codes across India was essential for national traffic enforcement and accident insurance. Before standardisation, the multiplicity of state formats created significant enforcement challenges.

Critical Changes

Digital driving licence via DigiLocker/mParivahan accepted as valid under 2019 Amendment.

QR code added to physical licence for instant digital verification.

Microchip embedded in new-format smart card driving licences.

Practical Scenarios

"A licence with 'MCWG, LMV' endorsements — authorises driving geared motorcycles and cars but not trucks or buses."
"A licence with 'HMV' endorsement — authorises heavy motor vehicles including trucks and buses."

Common Queries

The main classes are: MCWOG (gearless motorcycles/scooters <50cc), MCWG (geared motorcycles), LMV (cars/jeeps/vans), LMV-TR (commercial light vehicles/taxis), MGV (medium goods vehicles), HGV (heavy goods vehicles), HPMV (buses), and special vehicles. Each class requires a separate test and can be added over time.
Yes — Section 10(e) explicitly states that a driving licence shall be valid throughout India. A licence issued in any state or Union Territory is valid for driving the specified vehicle classes anywhere in India.