Tamil Nadu RTO Learner's Licence (LLR) Test Study Guide

Tamil Nadu road signs are installed in a bilingual format, with Tamil text shown alongside the standard IRC symbol and the English label. This follows the state's three-language policy and IRC 67, so on most informatory and direction signs you will see both Tamil and English. The symbol, shape, and colour of the sign do not change; only the text label is bilingual.[4]

Tamil Nadu RTOs operate through the national Sarathi portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. You book the Learner's Licence slot online, pay the fees through the same portal, and then take the test at the relevant TN RTO. The Tamil Nadu Transport Department oversees the offices and the on-site test.[3]

1. Create or log in to your account on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select Tamil Nadu as the state.[3]
2. Fill the Learner's Licence application (Form 2), upload ID, address, and age proof, and a passport-size photo.[3]
3. Complete the Form 1 self-declaration of physical fitness (Form 1A medical certificate if you are 40 or older).[2]
4. Pay the LL fee online and book a test slot at your chosen TN RTO (for example Chennai South, Coimbatore, or Madurai).[3]
5. Take the multiple-choice LLR test at the RTO; on passing, the Learner's Licence is issued.[3]

Road signs across Tamil Nadu follow IRC 67, the national code of practice for road signs. There are three families, distinguished by shape and colour. A red-bordered upward triangle with a black symbol is a cautionary (warning) sign; a blue circle with a white arrow is a mandatory (direction) sign you must follow.[4]

• Red circle with a slash or red border - prohibition. Tells you what you must not do (No entry, No parking, No U-turn).
• Blue circle with white symbol - mandatory direction. Tells you what you must do (keep left, compulsory turn).
• Red-bordered upward triangle - cautionary warning of a hazard ahead.
• Blue or green rectangle - informatory; facilities, distances, and directions.

Tamil Nadu, like all of India, follows left-hand traffic: the driver sits on the right and slower vehicles keep to the left lane. Right of way and overtaking come from Section 119 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and the Rules of the Road Regulations 1989.[1][2]

1. At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.[1][2]
2. At a T-intersection, traffic on the terminating road yields to traffic on the through road.
3. Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have priority; drivers must stop and let them cross.
4. Give way to emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire, police) by moving left and stopping if needed.

• Overtake from the right side of the vehicle ahead, and only when the road ahead is clear.
• Overtaking is prohibited on curves, hill crests, at junctions, on narrow bridges, and wherever visibility is restricted - on any TN state highway or city road.[2]
• Never overtake when a continuous (unbroken) line marks the centre of the road.

• BAC limit is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.03%) under Section 185 of the MV Act 1988. Tamil Nadu enforces this with police and RTO checks, with penalties including imprisonment.[1]
• Both the rider and the pillion rider must wear a BIS-marked (ISI) protective helmet under Section 129; Tamil Nadu actively enforces this, including for women riders following Madras High Court directions.[1]
• Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and front-seat passenger in all light motor vehicles.
• In the Tamil Nadu north-east monsoon (October to December), reduce speed, increase the following distance to at least 4 to 5 seconds, and use low-beam headlights; stopping distances roughly double on wet roads.

While driving you must be able to produce these documents. With a Learner's Licence you may drive only when accompanied by a person holding a valid full driving licence for the same class of vehicle, and the vehicle should display 'L' boards.[1][2]

• Driving licence - the Learner's Licence during the learner period, or a full Driving Licence.
• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) - issued by the TN RTO.
• Insurance certificate - valid third-party cover at minimum.
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate - required for petrol and diesel vehicles.