In India, what is the minimum age required to obtain a permanent driving licence to drive a motor car or motorcycle with gears on public roads?

Introduction / Context:
Road safety and traffic regulation depend on clear rules about who is legally allowed to drive on public roads. In India, the Motor Vehicles Act and related rules lay down a minimum age for obtaining different kinds of driving licences. This question checks general civic awareness by asking the minimum age for a permanent driving licence to operate a motor car or a motorcycle with gears.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The context is the Indian legal system and its Motor Vehicles rules.
- The question concerns a permanent licence for a motor car or motorcycle with gears on public roads.
- Provisional or learner licences and gearless two wheelers for younger applicants are not the focus here.
- Four age values are given as options, from 16 to 21 years.

Concept / Approach:
According to Indian traffic rules, different categories of vehicles have different minimum age requirements. For example, a person of 16 years may obtain a licence for a low power motorcycle without gears, subject to parental consent. However, to drive a private motor car or a motorcycle with gears, a person must be at least 18 years old. Higher age limits can apply to commercial or transport vehicles. Therefore, when the question asks about a licence for a motor car or geared motorcycle, the correct legal minimum age is 18 years.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the vehicle type is a motor car or motorcycle with gears, not a gearless scooter or commercial vehicle. Step 2: Recall the Motor Vehicles rules that set the minimum age for such private geared vehicles. Step 3: Note that 16 years applies only to certain low power gearless two wheelers, not to the category mentioned in this question. Step 4: Remember that 18 years is the standard minimum age for driving a car or motorcycle with gears on Indian public roads. Step 5: Compare this with higher ages like 21 years, which generally relate to commercial transport licences, and confirm that these do not apply for an ordinary private vehicle licence. Step 6: Conclude that 18 years is the correct minimum age for the licence described.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a quick verification, many driving schools in India advertise that candidates must be at least 18 years old to enrol for car driving courses and obtain a permanent licence. Additionally, government forms for a new licence clearly specify that the applicant for a car or geared motorcycle must have completed 18 years of age. This practical observation supports the choice of 18 years as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
17 years: There is no standard provision for a permanent licence for cars at 17 years; this age does not match the main category described.
16 years: This can apply only to specific low power gearless two wheelers with conditions, not to motor cars or motorcycles with gears.
21 years: This age limit is generally associated with transport or commercial vehicle licences, not with ordinary private cars or motorcycles.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is mixing up the rules for gearless scooters with those for geared vehicles. Some learners also confuse the age requirement for commercial heavy vehicles with that for private vehicles. Another source of confusion is relying only on hearsay rather than checking official Motor Vehicles rules. For exam purposes and safe driving awareness, it is essential to remember the correct age brackets for different vehicle categories.

Final Answer:
Thus, the minimum age to obtain a permanent driving licence for a motor car or motorcycle with gears in India is 18 years.