Private to Commercial Driving Licence Conversion in India (2025): Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re planning to make this switch, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to convert your private licence to a commercial licence in India.

• Age: You must be at least 20 years old to drive a transport vehicle in India (this is a statutory requirement under the Motor Vehicles Act).
• Education: The old “Class 8 pass” rule has been removed at the central level; CMVR’s education rule for transport drivers was omitted, and MoRTH publicized the decision alongside the ADTC framework. (States may still ask for training via accredited centres.)
• Existing licence: You should already hold a valid private licence (e.g., LMV-NT, MCWG, etc.). You will add a transport class (e.g., LMV-TR, HGV/HPV, depending on what you intend to drive) to it.
• Medical Certificate: A fitness certificate (Form 1A) issued by a registered medical practitioner is mandatory.

Apply at the RTO (Regional Transport Office)

Visit your nearest RTO where your private licence is registered. You can apply offline or through the official Parivahan Sewa portal

2) Decide the exact transport category you need

• LMV-TR (Light Motor Vehicle Transport): Taxis, small goods vans, etc.
• HGV/HPMV/HPV (Heavy Goods/Passenger): Trucks, buses, etc.

Your training, test vehicle, and fees depend on this choice. (Your state RTO and your training centre will guide you on the exact code that appears on your DL card.)

1. Existing driving licence (DL) (original + photocopy).
2. Identity & address proof (Aadhaar, Passport, etc., as per your state’s list).
3. Medical Certificate – Form 1A (signed by a government-authorised doctor).
4. Application – Form 2 (used for LL/DL/AOC; you’ll fill this out online on Sarathi in most states, but it’s downloadable too).
5. Training certificate (if applicable):
   • Form 5 from a driving school, or
   • Form 5B from an Accredited Driver Training Centre (ADTC) for transport classes.
6. Passport photo(s) (if your RTO still asks offline).

Why Form 1A? A medical certificate is mandatory for transport categories.

You’ll complete most steps on the official portal:

1. Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in → Select State.
2. Choose Learner’s Licence → Application for New Learner’s Licence (when adding a new transport class, many states first issue an LL for that class).
3. Later, use Driving Licence Services → Addition of Class of Vehicle to upgrade your DL after LL and test.
4. Upload documents, pay fees, and book your slots (LL test if needed, training, driving test).

The portal’s “How-to” pages show this exact flow (LL first, then AOC). Some states combine steps; follow what your state’s Sarathi instance shows.

• If you’re applying for heavy goods/passenger classes (and in many states even for LMV-TR), you’ll need a training certificate:
  • Form 5 (driving school) or Form 5B (ADTC).
• ADTC route & road-test exemption: Central rules allow ADTC graduates to be exempted from the RTO driving test (licensing authority still verifies eligibility and issues the licence). MoRTH clarified this when rolling out ADTCs; your state may still conduct a short verification on the ground.

• Download Form 1A from Parivahan, get it signed/stamped by an authorised medical practitioner (as notified by your state). Carry the original to your RTO/slot.

Depending on your path:

• If you did NOT go via ADTC: Take the test of competence for the chosen transport class at the RTO/test track.
• If you DID go via ADTC: Submit Form 5B; states that implement the exemption may waive the road test, and the licensing authority will proceed after document checks.

After you pass (or your ADTC certificate is accepted), the RTO endorses the new transport class on your DL.

If you intend to drive taxis/autorickshaws/buses, many states require a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge/e-authorisation in addition to your transport class DL.
Apply via Sarathi’s “Services on DL” → PSV Badge flow (availability varies by state), or your state’s transport portal. Requirements commonly include DL, Form 1A, police verification, and sometimes local training.

Central fee heads (states may add card/handling charges). Typical examples seen on state portals include:

• Learner’s Licence (per class): ~₹150 + test fees.
• Test of competence (DL test): ~₹300.
• Addition of Class of Vehicle (AOC): ~₹500.
• DL card/printing (Form 7 smart card): ~₹200.

Exact figures appear under Rule 32 on many state transport pages (e.g., Delhi Transport; Rajasthan Transport). Your state’s Sarathi page will show the final amount at payment.

The fee for converting a private licence to a commercial one varies from ₹500 – ₹1000, depending on the type of vehicle and the state.

Once issued, your DL will list both your original private class(es) and the new transport class (e.g., LMV-TR, HGV/HPV). If you subsequently obtain a PSV badge, that status lives in the RTO records and, in many states, on a separate authorisation card/e-badge.

1. Check eligibility (20+ years; valid private DL; choose target transport class).
2. Training decision: Pick a Driving School (Form 5) or an ADTC (Form 5B) for transport training.
3. Medical fitness: Get Form 1A signed.
4. Apply online for LL (new class) on Sarathi → upload docs → pay LL/test fee → book LL slot (where applicable).
5. Pass LL (if your state requires it) → complete training → obtain Form 5 or 5 B.
6. Apply for Addition of Class of Vehicle (AOC) on Sarathi → upload Form 1A & Form 5/5B → pay fees → book driving test (unless exempt via ADTC).
7. Test/verification at RTO → upon success, DL updated with transport class.
8. If carrying passengers, apply for a PSV badge/ e-authorisation via Sarathi/state portal.

• A commercial licence has to be renewed every 3 to 5 years, depending on the state rules.
• Always carry your badge/authorization card (required for passenger vehicles like taxis or buses).
• Keep your medical fitness certificate updated during renewals.
• Commercial licence holders are subject to stricter penalties for traffic violations.

• Eligible to work as a professional driver for trucks, buses, cabs, and goods carriers.
• Increases employment opportunities in logistics, transport, and tourism sectors.
• Provides an option to upgrade income from driving jobs.

In short, if you already have a private driving licence, converting it into a commercial one is not difficult. With the right documents, medical fitness, and an RTO test, you can legally drive vehicles for commercial purposes and unlock new career opportunities.