What Is MCWG In Driving License? Full Form & Everything You Need To Know Explained Here

You must’ve seen the term MCWG on your driving license at some point. But because we don’t really bother to check what all of that means, we often don’t realise what it means. But fret not, this article will quickly explain it all to you. 

MCWG Full Form

What MCWG essentially stands for is ‘Motor Cycle With Gear’. This refers to all the two wheelers currently sold in India that have a manual gearbox, basically covering all motorcycles. 

How To Obtain An MCWG License?

It’s quite easy. Practice enough on the motorcycle that you have at home and then apply for an MCWG license online, something you can only do once you’re 18, of course. You’ll first have to get a learner’s license which entails a digital test, covering the theory of what it’s like to ride on our roads, what different signs on the roads mean, etc. 

Once that’s done, you can apply for a permanent license through the Parivahan website. Punch in the necessary personal information, book a date online and take your bike to your nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office), where you’ll have to pass the riding test. The test will essentially test your basic riding skills and you will  be asked to ride around a course specially designed for this. Once you pass this, your permanent MCWG license will be processed and issued to you in due time. Once you get the license, flip it over and that’s where you’ll find the term MCWG with a little bike icon as well as the issue date under it. 

Other License Types

1. MCWOG 

If you applied for the bike and scooter license together, you will see another icon above it, with MCWOG written under it, which obviously stands for Motor Cycle Without Gear. This covers all two-wheelers in India that have an automatic gearbox: scooters as well as mopeds. 

2. LMV

LMV stands for Light Motor Vehicle and it includes small cars and SUVs, registered as private vehicles – not commercial vehicles or ‘yellow number plate’ ones. Basically it applies to all vehicles with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) equal to or under 7,500kg. The application process for this is the same as the one we mentioned above. Once you’re 18, get a learner’s license and then head to your local RTO for the actual driving test. That said, the tests for LMV licenses are usually a bit more extensive. While the exact tests depend on your local RTO, they usually include some form of hill hold test, making an 8, making a reverse S, as well as parallel parking. Get the LMV license and you’ll basically legally be able to drive the car you have at home.  

3. HMV 

HMV stands for Heavy Motor Vehicle and this is the license that allows you to operate the bigger commercial vehicles. We’re talking trucks, buses and other public transport vehicles. These are big vehicles and with great power comes great responsibility. So to apply for an HMV license, you must be at least 20 years old, should’ve passed 8th grade, already hold an LMV license and completed your training from a government-certified training school. While the application process is similar to what we’ve mentioned above, here you also have to submit some particular medical fitness certificates in order to get the HMV license. 

Under HMV, there are two classifications: HGMV stands for Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle, meaning it’s a vehicle used for transporting goods. HPMV, on the other hand, stands for Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle, meaning it’ll be used for ferrying people around.