India Learner's Licence Test (LLR) cheat sheet

Sign shapes carry meaning: an equilateral triangle with the point up is a warning (cautionary) sign; a circle is a mandatory/prohibitory sign; an octagon is STOP; an inverted triangle is GIVE WAY; a rectangle or square is usually information or a regulatory plate.

Sign colour codes: red = prohibition, stop or danger; yellow/amber = warning with black symbols; blue = mandatory instruction or information; green = direction and distance; white with black border = regulatory restriction; brown = tourism or historical interest.

A STOP sign requires a complete halt at the stop line, or at the edge of the intersection if no line exists, and give way to all traffic on the intersecting road before proceeding.

A GIVE WAY (Yield) sign requires slowing down and stopping only if necessary to let traffic on the priority road pass; it does not grant right of way.

Mandatory signs (blue circles) include compulsory turn directions, keep-left, one-way, minimum speed, and vehicle-type restrictions; disobeying them is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Traffic light sequence in India: red (stop before the stop line), red plus amber together (prepare to move, do not proceed), green (go if the way is clear), amber alone (stop unless it is unsafe to do so).

A flashing red light means stop and proceed only when safe, like a stop sign; a flashing amber light means proceed with caution and give way as required.

Solid white centre line: no crossing or overtaking; broken white line: lane change and overtaking permitted when safe; double solid yellow line: no crossing in either direction; a single solid line on your side forbids you from crossing it.

Zebra crossings are pedestrian priority; stop before the crossing when pedestrians are on it, and never park on or within the marked approach to a zebra crossing.

Hand signals of a traffic policeman override traffic lights and signs: raised arm with palm forward means stop for traffic approaching from the front; arm extended horizontally means stop for traffic from that side.

India drives on the left; a driver must keep to the left side of the road and use the left lane for normal travel, using the right lane only for overtaking.

Overtaking must be done from the right; overtaking on the left is permitted only when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn or in a lane where traffic moves in a single direction.

At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle approaching from the right has right of way; a vehicle turning right must give way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left.

A vehicle on a main road has priority over a vehicle entering from a side road or private driveway; emerging traffic must stop and give way.

Priority for emergency vehicles: fire service, ambulance and police vehicles on duty with siren or blue/red beacon must be given a clear passage, and other traffic must pull to the left and stop if needed.

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have absolute right of way; a driver must stop and allow them to cross fully before moving.

Speed limits are set by the state government for each road class and vehicle type; the driver must also reduce speed to a safe level for weather, visibility, road surface and traffic, regardless of the posted limit.

Parking is prohibited within 5 m of a road junction, on a footpath, on a zebra crossing, near a bus stop, opposite another parked vehicle where the road narrows, and on the wrong side of a two-way road.

A vehicle must not be stopped or parked on a road at night without parking lights, and a broken-down vehicle must display a warning triangle or hazard lights to warn approaching traffic.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is an offence; a driver must be in a position to control the vehicle at all times and must not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The two-second rule: maintain at least a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead in good conditions, doubling to four seconds in rain, fog, night or when following a heavy vehicle.

Stopping distance = thinking (reaction) distance plus braking distance; both rise with speed, and braking distance increases roughly with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

In fog, rain or dust, use low beam or fog lamps, never high beam, because high beam reflects off the particles and reduces visibility; slow down and increase following distance.

Skids are corrected by easing off the accelerator and steering gently in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go; do not brake hard during a skid.

Hydroplaning occurs when water lifts the tyres off the road at speed; ease off the accelerator, avoid sudden braking or steering, and let speed drop until grip returns.

At night, dip headlights when an oncoming vehicle approaches or when following another vehicle closely, to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Before changing lanes or turning, check mirrors, signal in good time, check the blind spot over the shoulder, then move; a signal does not give priority over other traffic.

Defensive driving assumes other road users may make mistakes: anticipate hazards, cover the brake near junctions and schools, and never assume another driver has seen you.

On hills, a vehicle going downhill gives way to a vehicle going uphill; if stopping on a slope, apply the parking brake and turn the wheels toward the kerb.

Fatigue and alcohol both slow reaction time and impair judgement; the only safe response to drowsiness is to stop in a safe place and rest, not to open a window or increase speed.

A learner's licence (LLR) is issued by the RTO after an online or offline test on traffic signs, rules and safe driving, and is valid for 6 months.

A learner driving a car must be accompanied by a person holding a valid driving licence for that class of vehicle, seated beside the learner, and the vehicle must display a red 'L' plate at the front and rear.

A learner may not carry passengers other than the accompanying licensed driver, and must not drive on a highway unless permitted by the licensing authority.

A permanent driving licence can be applied for after the learner licence has been held for at least 30 days; the applicant must be at least 18 years old for a car (16 for a motorcycle under 50 cc with guardian consent).

Documents to carry: valid driving licence, certificate of registration (RC), certificate of insurance, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and for transport vehicles the fitness certificate and permit.

The registration certificate is valid for 15 years from first registration, after which it must be renewed; a change of address or ownership must be reported to the RTO.

Third-party insurance is mandatory for all motor vehicles; driving without valid insurance is an offence, and the policy must be renewed before it expires.

A PUC certificate is required and must be renewed periodically (commonly every 6 months to 1 year depending on vehicle age) to certify emission limits are met.

The clutch pedal disengages the engine from the gearbox for gear changes; the brake slows or stops the vehicle; the accelerator controls engine speed; the parking brake holds the vehicle when parked.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers, and helmets are mandatory for both rider and pillion on two-wheelers; violations attract penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act.

A learner's licence is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and must be renewed if the permanent licence test is not taken within that period.

An applicant for a car learner's licence must be at least 18 years old; for a motorcycle with engine capacity under 50 cc, the minimum age is 16 with guardian consent.

The learner must be accompanied by a licensed driver who has held a valid licence for the same class of vehicle, seated in a position to control the vehicle.

A red 'L' board must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle while a learner is driving; removing it or driving without it is an offence.

The permanent driving licence test can be taken after holding the learner's licence for at least 30 days, and requires passing a practical driving test at the RTO.

The driving licence is valid for 20 years or until the holder turns 40, whichever is earlier, for private vehicles; thereafter it must be renewed every 5 or 10 years as prescribed.

Documents to carry while driving: driving licence, registration certificate (RC), valid insurance, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and for transport vehicles a fitness certificate and permit.

The registration certificate is valid for 15 years from first registration; renewal is required thereafter, and transfer of ownership must be recorded with the RTO within the prescribed period.

Third-party insurance is compulsory for every motor vehicle; driving without valid insurance is an offence and the vehicle may be seized.

The clutch pedal disengages the engine from the transmission for gear changes; the brake pedal slows or stops the vehicle; the accelerator controls engine speed; the parking brake holds the vehicle when parked.

A learner's licence is issued after passing a written or online test on traffic signs, rules of the road and safe driving, and remains valid for 6 months.

Minimum age for a car learner's licence is 18 years; for a motorcycle under 50 cc it is 16 years with consent of parent or guardian.

A learner must be accompanied by a person holding a valid driving licence for the same class of vehicle, seated beside the learner and able to control the vehicle.

A red 'L' plate must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle whenever a learner is driving; the learner must not carry other passengers.

The permanent driving licence can be applied for after 30 days of holding the learner's licence, and requires a practical driving test at the RTO.

A private driving licence is valid for 20 years or until the age of 40, whichever is earlier, and must be renewed thereafter at prescribed intervals.

Documents to carry: driving licence, certificate of registration (RC), certificate of insurance, PUC certificate, and for transport vehicles fitness certificate and permit.

The registration certificate is valid for 15 years from first registration and must be renewed thereafter; change of address or ownership must be reported to the RTO.

Third-party insurance is mandatory for all motor vehicles; driving without valid insurance or a valid PUC certificate is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers, and helmets are mandatory for rider and pillion on two-wheelers; violations attract penalties.