Driver License
Need for a license
A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless he/she holds a valid current driving license issued by the Authority, authorizing him/her to drive the category of vehicle specified in the license.
Category of motor vehicles for a driving license
The categories of motor vehicles for driving licenses are as follows:
(a) two-wheeler;
(b) light vehicle;
(c) medium vehicle;
(d) heavy vehicle:
i. 6-wheeler
ii. 10-wheeler
iii. 18-wheeler
(e) passenger transport vehicle:
a. Taxi
b. Medium Bus
c. Heavy Bus
(f) heavy earth-moving equipment;
a. Bull Dozer
b. Excavator
c. Pay Loader
(g) road roller;
(h) tractor;
(i) power tiller;
(j) others (machines/vehicles not specified above)
Procedure for obtaining ordinary driving license
A person applying for an Ordinary Driving License must:
(a) come in person;
(b) be 18 years of age or more at the time of applying for a license;
(c) have held a Learners License for at least six months;
(d) produce a Certificate to have attended an Introductory Course;
(e) have undergone both theoretical and practical tests and achieved the minimum pass score set in the Evaluation Form for Driving Test.
(f) produce a copy of the latest passport-size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese;
(g) produce Citizenship Identity Card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutanese Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners; and
(h) pay fee as prescribed in Schedule 1.
Application requirements for an ordinary driving license for those who have graduated out of a driving school or institute
Driving Schools and Institutes shall include Government and Corporate Training Institutes and other privately Licensed Driving Schools within the country.
An applicant for ordinary driving license by a graduate from a driving school must:
(a) come in person for a practical driving test;
(b) be 18 years of age or more at the time of applying for a license;
(c) hold a Learners License for at least three months;
(d) produce a Certificate to have attended the Institute or School;
(e) have undergone both theoretical and practical tests and achieved the minimum pass score set in the Evaluation Form for Driving Test.
(f) produce a copy of the latest passport size photograph;
(g) produce Citizenship Identity Card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutanese Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners; and
(h) pay fees as prescribed in Schedule 1.
Application requirements for a professional driving license for taxis
An applicant for a Commercial Driving License for Taxis must:
(a) come in person;
(b) be a minimum age of 21 years and a maximum age of 55 years at the time of applying after which a person will need to produce a medical certificate for renewing the license annually upto the age of 60 years;
(c) possess an educational qualification of a minimum of Class VIII or equivalent qualification from Monastic Institutes and produce original academic certificate as proof;
(d) fill in the prescribed application form;
(e) have held an Ordinary Driving License for at least two years;
(f) have achieved the minimum pass score in the Selection Criteria for 5/3-Point Turn (Practical Test) set in the Evaluation Form for Light Vehicle Driving Test as prescribed by the Authority;
(g) produce a copy of the latest passport size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese;
(h) produce Citizenship Identity Card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutanese Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners; and
(i) pay a fee as prescribed in Schedule-1.
Application requirements for a commercial driving license for medium and heavy vehicles including public transport buses
An applicant for a Commercial Driving License for Medium and Heavy vehicles including passenger transport buses, tourist buses and school buses must:
(a) come in person;
(i) be a minimum age of 25 years and a maximum age of 55 years at the time of applying after which a person will need to produce a medical certificate for renewing the license annually upto the age of 60 years;
(j) have held an Ordinary Driving License for at least three years;
(k) possess an educational qualification of a minimum of Class VIII or equivalent qualification from Monastic Institutes and produce original academic certificate as proof;
(b) fill in the prescribed application form;
(c) have achieved the minimum pass score in the practical driving Selection Criteria for Highway Drive Test set in the Evaluation Form for Light Vehicle Driving Test as prescribed by the RSTA;
(d) produce a copy of the latest passport size photograph;
(e) produce Citizenship Identity Card or other accepted identification documents for Bhutanese Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of foreigners; and
(f) pay a fee as prescribed in Schedule 1.
Driving Instructor license
The purpose of licensing Driving Instructors is to:
ensure that people who teach and train to drive are competent in their profession;
assume responsibility to ensure that people learning to drive receive proper and correct instructions; and
require the instructor to impart proper training with due regard to safe driving culture.
An applicant for a Driving Instructor License must:
(a) come in person;
(b) be between 25 to 56 years of age;
(c) possess an educational qualification of a minimum of a Graduate from a Vocational/Technical Institute and produce original academic certificate as proof;
(d) have had a driving experience for at least a minimum period of five years and pass driving skills, have knowledge about traffic rules and be able to communicate knowledge on driving effectively by producing a certificate issued by the Authority;
(e) fill in the application form;
(f) pay fees as prescribed in Schedule 1.
Validity of driving license
(a) Learners license is valid for a period of one year and can be renewed annually;
(b) Ordinary Driving License for:
(i) light vehicles is valid for ten years and annually after 70 years subject to certification by a medical doctor;
(ii) Two Wheelers is valid for ten (10) years and annually after 60 years subject to certification by a medical doctor.
(c) Professional/Commercial Driving License is valid for three years
(d) Driving Instructors License is valid for 5 years.
Driving Test Committee
The RSTA shall:
a) constitute a Driving Test Committee comprising at least two officials of RSTA.
b) conduct both theoretical and practical driving tests without any fear or favour.
c) Change Committee Members from time to time and declare any sort of conflict of interest.
Time Schedule for Conducting Driving Tests
A person applying to appear for a Driving Tests shall register with the Regional or Base Transport Offices as per respective schedules of Regional and Base Transport Offices and conduct the driving tests once every week.
In case there are no applicants wishing to appear for Driving Tests, then RSTA can postpone tests on the stipulated day.
Powers of the Issuing Authority
The powers to issue, endorse, renew, punch, suspend and cancel all types of driving licenses shall be vested with the Authority.