LTV license required for driving Innova? Nope

caliper · 19th June 2007, 10:25

My driving instructor left me quite surprised when he casually mentioned that driving an Innova requires an LTV license. (Light transport vehicle.)

He said I would have to surrender my current license for motorcycle/car and get a new one that has an LTV endorsement.

I asked if one could drive a small milk tanker that was parked nearby w/ LTV license, and he said yes. I.e., that Innova, Safari, Scorpio are all in the same category as small commercial vehicles, and that everyone who has an Innova is driving w/ an LTV license.

I asked if this was based on car length/width, but he said it was based on engine size. If that's the case, the following cars have engine displacement equal to or greater than the Innova diesel:

Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI
BMW (all Indian models)
Benz (all models except C)
Porsche

Someone please confirm that he was wrong.

hvkumar · 19th June 2007, 10:30

I drive my Scorpio with my LMV license and no one has questioned me, several times cops have routinely checked not only in Bombay but also outside the State. Earlier, I used to have a Mahindra Commander, same LMV license.

I don't think that licenses are based on engine sizes, they are determined by vehicle size/ category. If engine size were the criteria, even to drive a Maybach or some such large-engined car, you will require a LTV!!

Kumar

dadu · 19th June 2007, 10:31

true, Its based on the vehicle category, check your registration paper, is Innova categorized under LTV ??

theMAG · 19th June 2007, 10:33

This is news. I know lot of people who drive the Innova on their regular DL. Is it a case of the RTO taking advantage via confusion?

abhilashvk · 19th June 2007, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I don't think that licenses are based on engine sizes, they are determined by vehicle size/ category. If engine size were the criteria, even to drive a Maybach or some such large-engined car, you will require a LTV!!

True. If the car has a yellow board, this calls for a yearly renewable badge

theMAG · 19th June 2007, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhilashvk

True. If the car has a yellow board, this calls for a yearly renewable badge

Yellow board vehicles requiring a commercial vehicle license is understandable - but white board vehciles ?

tsk1979 · 19th June 2007, 10:38

The LMV vehicle license mentions Car/Jeep.
If you drive yellow plate you need LTV.

hvkumar · 19th June 2007, 10:43

I think if you are driving a car-taxi, you get a LMV-Commercial licence and not a LTV license . For example, we all have LMV-NonCommercial licenses. Licenses are granted as per vehicle category, not type of driver (commercial/non commercial)

caliper · 19th June 2007, 10:51

Sorry to ask what may seem like a dumb question, but what is the significance of a yellow number plate?

I've never seen a vehicle with such. Only with the standard black on white (or the fashionable white on black). I haven't seen any Innovas with yellow plates either.

Apparently, Tata Indicas can have yellow plates as well?
Road warrior gadgets: Head hunter, Sidekick and more « /India/Bangalore/things

Quote:

I think if you are driving a car-taxi,

I.e., if you're driving a vehicle that is used for commercial purposes? Because Indicas are common for taxis, but privately owned as well. Same for Innova.

abcxyz07306 · 19th June 2007, 11:10

A person holding a driving licence for Motor Cycle may similarly apply for addition of a light motor vehicle at any time. A person holding a driving licence for Light Motor Vehicle may however, apply for addition of the class of Medium Motor Vehicle or Heavy Motor Vehicle only after he has held the licence for light motor vehicle for a period of one year. In such cases the applicant should undergo the course of training in driving and produce a Certificate in form No.5 issued by a Driving School or establishment.

Ref: MVD, Department

normally_crazy · 19th June 2007, 11:10

Yes - Yellow number plates indicate a private taxi. And if you want to drive a 4 wheeler sporting a yellow number plate you need a LTV license.

Tell your instructor to go take a hike. You can perfectly drive an Innova with the normal license.

drifter · 19th June 2007, 11:18

Yes certainly, I have no problems driving the safari (white plates) on an LMV endorsed license.

Drifter

gd1418 · 19th June 2007, 11:19

Joke of the year froma joker of an instructor. Ask him from where he got his licence and did he clear the test.

This is the most ridiculous thing that I've ever heard in my 30 yrs of driving. I've been driving my Safari since '98 and hold a LMV + M/cycle licence. I've never been questioned by the cops on this issue..

FYI, many seasons ago I had a Standard Van as one of the vehicles in the stable for our extended family. It was a 10 seater with private registration. We used to travel to Haridwar/Rishikesh in that with the entire brood of of a dozen piled into it. I also used to drive that on the highways along with my Dad & Uncles who all had/have LMV licence. Never stopped or questioned..

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliper

My driving instructor left me quite surprised when he casually mentioned that driving an Innova requires an LTV license. (Light transport vehicle.)

He said I would have to surrender my current license for motorcycle/car and get a new one that has an LTV endorsement.

I asked if one could drive a small milk tanker that was parked nearby w/ LTV license, and he said yes. I.e., that Innova, Safari, Scorpio are all in the same category as small commercial vehicles, and that everyone who has an Innova is driving w/ an LTV license.

I asked if this was based on car length/width, but he said it was based on engine size. If that's the case, the following cars have engine displacement equal to or greater than the Innova diesel:

Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI
BMW (all Indian models)
Benz (all models except C)
Porsche

Someone please confirm that he was wrong.

spadival · 19th June 2007, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliper

My driving instructor left me quite surprised when he casually mentioned that driving an Innova requires an LTV license. (Light transport vehicle.)

He said I would have to surrender my current license for motorcycle/car and get a new one that has an LTV endorsement.

I think ur driving instructor is trying to make some easy money. Tell em u'll get an LTV license if required, but not thru him

.

rubin2006 · 19th June 2007, 11:42

Never ever heard of this was driving a toyota land crusier when i even didnt have a driving license ,not even a learners one forget LTV

19th June 2007, 10:25	#1
caliper BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: India Posts: 160 Thanked: 3 Times	LTV license required for driving Innova? Nope My driving instructor left me quite surprised when he casually mentioned that driving an Innova requires an LTV license. (Light transport vehicle.) He said I would have to surrender my current license for motorcycle/car and get a new one that has an LTV endorsement. I asked if one could drive a small milk tanker that was parked nearby w/ LTV license, and he said yes. I.e., that Innova, Safari, Scorpio are all in the same category as small commercial vehicles, and that everyone who has an Innova is driving w/ an LTV license. I asked if this was based on car length/width, but he said it was based on engine size. If that's the case, the following cars have engine displacement equal to or greater than the Innova diesel: Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI BMW (all Indian models) Benz (all models except C) Porsche Someone please confirm that he was wrong.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 10:30	#2
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,463 Times	I drive my Scorpio with my LMV license and no one has questioned me, several times cops have routinely checked not only in Bombay but also outside the State. Earlier, I used to have a Mahindra Commander, same LMV license. I don't think that licenses are based on engine sizes, they are determined by vehicle size/ category. If engine size were the criteria, even to drive a Maybach or some such large-engined car, you will require a LTV!! Kumar
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 10:31	#3
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	true, Its based on the vehicle category, check your registration paper, is Innova categorized under LTV ??
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 10:33	#4
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,811 Times View My Garage	This is news. I know lot of people who drive the Innova on their regular DL. Is it a case of the RTO taking advantage via confusion?
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 10:38	#7
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,726 Thanked: 23,057 Times View My Garage	The LMV vehicle license mentions Car/Jeep. If you drive yellow plate you need LTV.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 10:43	#8
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,463 Times	I think if you are driving a car-taxi, you get a LMV-Commercial licence and not a LTV license . For example, we all have LMV-NonCommercial licenses. Licenses are granted as per vehicle category, not type of driver (commercial/non commercial)
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 11:10	#10
abcxyz07306 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 13 Thanked: 3 Times	A person holding a driving licence for Motor Cycle may similarly apply for addition of a light motor vehicle at any time. A person holding a driving licence for Light Motor Vehicle may however, apply for addition of the class of Medium Motor Vehicle or Heavy Motor Vehicle only after he has held the licence for light motor vehicle for a period of one year. In such cases the applicant should undergo the course of training in driving and produce a Certificate in form No.5 issued by a Driving School or establishment. Ref: MVD, Department Last edited by adya33 : 20th June 2007 at 07:30.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 11:10	#11
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,369 Thanked: 537 Times View My Garage	Yes - Yellow number plates indicate a private taxi. And if you want to drive a 4 wheeler sporting a yellow number plate you need a LTV license. Tell your instructor to go take a hike. You can perfectly drive an Innova with the normal license.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 11:18	#12
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	Yes certainly, I have no problems driving the safari (white plates) on an LMV endorsed license. Drifter
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 11:42	#15
rubin2006 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: delhi/calgary Posts: 286 Thanked: Once	Never ever heard of this was driving a toyota land crusier when i even didnt have a driving license ,not even a learners one forget LTV
	() Thanks