Licensing

How to apply for Driver License

Procedure for obtaining ordinary driving license

A person applying for an Ordinary Driving License must:

  1. book a test date online from RSTA website 
  2. come in person for the test
  3. be 18 years of age or more at the time of applying for a license
  4. have held a Learner’s license for at least six months
  5. produce a Certificate to have attended an Introductory course
  6. have undergone both theoretical and practical tests and achieved the minimum pass score set in the ‘Evaluation Form for Driving Test’
  7. produce a copy of the latest passport-size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese
  8. produce Citizenship Identity card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutan nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners and
  9. pay fee as prescribed in Schedule 1.

How to apply for Learner License

Procedure for obtaining a Learner License In addition to any test that the Authority requires an applicant for a learner license to undergo, the Authority may require the applicant to:

  1. be 17 years of age or more;
  2. provide the Authority with personal particulars (including evidence that the Authority may reasonably require as to those particulars) as per application form provided by the Authority;
  3.  produce Citizenship Identity Card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutanese Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners;
  4. bring along a latest passport-size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese;
  5.   produce a medical screening certificate duly signed by a Medical Personnel within the country;
  6. fill in the application form; 
  7. obtain the Learner’s License in person or through a Driving School upon fulfilling the set criteria; and
  8.   pay fees as prescribed in schedule

Refusal to grant a learner license: The Authority may refuse to grant a leaner license if:

  1. the applicant has not passed appropriate tests that may be conducted;
  2.   the applicant has not complied with a procedure or requirements under the Act or these Regulations; or
  3. the Authority, for a reason provided in writing to the applicant believes that the license should not be granted.

Validity of a learner license: A learner license is a valid for one year after the date of issue or when a driver license which authorizes the person to drive such a motor vehicle is issued to the person whichever occurs first. 56. Requirements for the learners while learning to drive

1)     A learner driver while learning to drive must:

  1.   not drive a motor vehicle unless a  ‘L’ plate is clearly displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle, and in case of two wheelers at the rear side.
  2.  not drive a motor vehicle unless accompanied by an experienced driver holding a valid license.

Place for learning to drive: A learner driver:

  • shall not be allowed to learn driving along highways and in town areas for the first three months of learning to drive; and
  • shall be allowed to learn driving in areas designated and publicly notified by respective local authorities.

In sub-regulation 1 and in this sub-regulation: ‘Experienced driver’ means a person who:

  •      holds a valid license to drive the category of motor vehicle being driven by the learner driver; and
  • has been licensed to drive that category of motor vehicle for at least two years.

Variation/endorsement of driving license

The Authority may require an applicant for renewal or variation as applicable to:

  1. fill in an application form;
  2. provide any additional information (including any evidence that the Authority may reasonably require as to those particulars);
  3. undergo any test which the Authority may require for license variation;
  4. provide one recent passport size photograph; and
  5. pay fee as per Schedule1.

Exemption from requirement for a Bhutan driving license

The Authority may exempt a person from obtaining a driving license for a period of three months if the person:

  1. has a valid international driving license;
  2. holds a diplomatic passport and a valid driving license issued in another country; 
  3. is a foreigner who resides in Bhutan for a period not exceeding three months and in possession of a valid driving license issued in the country of residence; and. 
  4. is a member of the armed forces and holds a valid driving license issued by the respective Motor Transport Officers for driving military and police vehicles;

Notwithstanding the above:

  1. Only professional Bhutan Armed Forces drivers will be eligible for a civilian driving license upon producing an endorsement letter from the Motor Transport Officer concerned, along with a Certificate of having attended a one day Introductory Course.
  2. Other Armed Force personnel holding a non-professional military driving license shall follow the procedures prescribed in Part 2, Section 60 other than having to produce a Learner License. 

Requirement for endorsement of Foreign Driving License

A foreigner staying in Bhutan for a period exceeding three months must:

  • report to the nearest office of the Authority for endorsement of Driving License;
  • produce valid visa or work permit; and
  • pay an endorsement fee as prescribed under schedule 1.

Issuance of Bhutan Driving License to Foreigners

A Foreigner applying for a Bhutan Driving License must:

  •  fulfill all the requirements for obtaining a fresh driving license.
  • hold a valid driving license issued in his/her home country
  •  produce a valid Visa or a Work Permit and

Notwithstanding 77(b),if in the opinion of the Authority, any Foreign national is found to be incompetent to drive a vehicle in spite of the person holding a valid driving license issued from another country, the Authority may direct the person to attend a driving test conducted by the Authority.

Suspension/Cancellation of driver license

Cancellation, suspension or variation of license by the Authority may be done if the person:

  1. has not presented for any test required by the Authority;
  2. is dangerous to drive a motor vehicle because of some illness or incapacity or because of the treatment of any of those things;
  3. has at anytime been convicted of driving offence;
  4. has been convicted by the Court of Law; and
  5. holding a driving license is cancelled by the Authority for a reason as deemed
  6. appropriate and is in the best interest of the road users for safety concerns.

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