Getting Indian License by showing US one

[rmanoj]

Hi All,

We R2Ied after staying in the US for 12+ years. We are still settling down and re-getting used to the life here. I found this site very useful during the
decision making and actual moving process. I thought it is time for me to give something back...

One of the things I could not get an answer before I landed here was if it was possible at all to show your US driving license and get an Indian one without
taking any tests. The answer is yes, you can. We are now in Pune and so this information is true for that city only. All I needed was an unexpied US license,
some proof of identification (Indian passports were good enough) and some proof of residence. It took about 3 hours and at the end of the day, I had my
Indian license. No learner's test. No driving test. The cost is Rs. 1000. I went through an agent and she charged Rs. 2000. I am not originally from Pune
and I found the agent about a week after landing here, so I am sure I got a rough deal. I think if you look around, you should be able to get this done
cheaper. I believe what is true for Pune should be true in other cities as well.

This is my first post on the site. I dont know if I have followed all the rules and regulations of posting. Apologies if I missed any formalities. I dont
check the forum that often. I may not respond to any follow up questions immediately. Please e-mail me if you have any questions (I hope there is a way
to do that via this site!)

Good luck to you all...

[mkngtrbl]

Also true for Mumbai.

[sunsanshre]

rmanoj, a couple of quick questions....

1. Was your US license an international license or a regular US drivers license?

2. BTW, did you get it done in Pune's main RTO office?

[hydcat]

True for HYD too....I showed my US license and got the Indian license.

[chantibabu]

Hydcat: Did you go through a broker to get this? Can you please indicate what paper work is required to get this drivers license. Thanks

[back2desh]

Can someone tell if the same applies to Bangalore as well? If so what's the process of getting the Indian Driving License? Also, do we have separate driving license for Motorcycle and Car or it's just the single license?

[rajbulland]

One can get Indian Licence anywhere in the country in exchange of US or Canadian Licence. The only difference is there is no fixed amount. If one goes directly to the RTO then expect hours and days of delays with lots of paper work and documents. If you go through the Agent you avoid all these hassles but then it costs. As there is no fixed charge amongst the agents people end up paying anywhere between 3000-5000. I myself paid Rs 3,500 and got the licence process done in matter of minutes. If someone gets below Rs 3000 then I would assume that would be the best deal.

[rxs]

I went to a RTO office in Delhi and the MLA (officer/head) told me that is not the case... do you know if this is possible in Delhi (i.e. exchange US license for Indian)?

[bayvasi]

One can get Indian Licence anywhere in the country in exchange of US or Canadian Licence. The only difference is there is no fixed amount. If one goes directly to the RTO then expect hours and days of delays with lots of paper work and documents. If you go through the Agent you avoid all these hassles but then it costs. As there is no fixed charge amongst the agents people end up paying anywhere between 3000-5000. I myself paid Rs 3,500 and got the licence process done in matter of minutes. If someone gets below Rs 3000 then I would assume that would be the best deal.

Did you do this in Bangalore. Could you please pass on the agent details if you did?

thanks

[wolf21281]

Someone posted saying you get a license 'in exchange' of your US driving license. Does that mean you have to surrender your US driving license to get an Indian license in its stead? Can you not keep both licenses.

I have an unexpired NC license valid to 2011. I R2Id to B'lore and was thinking about that, when these words caught my eye. Would appreciate a clarification on the process, though