You need to have a valid driving licence (DL) to legally drive in India. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 states that no individual will be allowed to drive a motor vehicle in a public place without a valid driving licence. It is a punishable offence.
Applying for a driving licence can be done online and application can be submitted in a few seconds.
Application for Services on Driving Licence
Here are the steps to process your application for services on driving licence:
- Enter DL Number and Date of Birth in the respective fields and click on ‘Go’.
- On clicking ‘Go’, the website will automatically fill the ‘Last Endorsed Details’.
- Select the state under the ‘Submit Request to’ section .
- Select RTO from the dropdown menus of the ‘Apply to State’ and ‘RTO’ sections.
- Click on ‘Proceed’ to go to the next step.
How to Apply for a Driving Licence
Applying for DL can be done in two ways:
- Online Mode
- Offline Mode
How to Apply for DL Online
Mentioned below are the steps to apply for Dl through online mode:
- Step 1: Click on the website parivahan.gov
- Step 2: Select the online services tab and click on the “Driving Licence Related Services” option.
- Step 3: Select the State from which you wish to apply.
- Step 4: Click on “Apply for Driving Licence” option.
- Step 5: Complete the applicant details.
- Step 6: Upload scanned copies of the necessary documents.
- Step 7: Pay the application fee.
- Step 8: Book a slot for a driving licence test
- Step 9: Appear for the test as per the schedule.
- Step 10: The DL is delivered to the applicant’s doorstep if they pass the test.
How to Apply for DL Offline
Here are the steps to apply for Dl through offline mode:
- Step 1: You need to get Form 4 which is the application form for a driving licence in India. The Form can be downloaded from the state transport official website. Alternatively, you can also visit the nearest RTO to procure Form 4.
- Step 2: Fill up the application form completely and submit it with other documents like age proof and address proof at the nearest RTO.
- Step 3: Pay the application fee.
- Step 4: Book a slot for the driving test.
- Step 5: Give the test at the RTO Office.
- Step 6: You will obtain a driving licence if you pass the test.
Why Should You Apply for Driving Licence (DL) Online?
It is ideal to apply for your DL online, as it is more convenient and takes less time than going through the entire process manually. You can simply download the licence application form from the internet and furnish it with all the necessary documents after filling up the form duly. Once this process is completed smoothly, you can appear for the test and obtain the licence.
Important points to remember
Here are some of the vital points that should be remembered:
- Online registration for LL is only for vehicles for personal use and not for commercial transport purposes
- Applicants can apply for LL for more than one category of vehicle in a single application form
- The preliminary test is common for all vehicles irrespective of the category of vehicle
Eligibility Criteria for Driving Licence
The eligibility criteria for a driving licence corresponding to the different types of vehicles are as follows:
| Types of Vehicles allowed | Criteria |
| Vehicles without gears with engine capacity up to 50cc | 16 years of age and parental consent |
| Vehicles with gears | 18 years of ageMust be aware of the traffic rules and regulations |
| Commercial vehicles | 20 years of age (18 years of age in some states)Should have completed formal education up to 8th gradeShould be trained from government or government- affiliated training center |
Documents Required to Apply for a Driving Licence
The following are the documents required to apply for a driving license:
Any one of the below for age proof:
- Birth certificate
- School matriculation certificate
- Attested copy of the passport
- Pan Card
- Passport
Any one of the below for address proof:
- Voter ID
- Ration Card
- Valid passport
- LIC policy bond
- State or Central Government payslip
Other documents:
- Learner’s licence
- Application form 4
- Application form 5 in case of applying for a commercial driving licence
- Three passport size photographs
Mentioned below are the essential documents that are required pertaining to your vehicle while applying for a driving licence:
- Registration certificate
- Car insurance proof
- Fitness certificate (for transport vehicles)
- Tax payment proof
Fees for DL and LL
You can pay the fee either through SBI challan or online. The DL fees for the different categories of licence are given below:
| Licence Issued | Old Fee | New Fee |
| Applying for a new driving licence | Rs.40 | Rs.200 |
| Driving licence test | Rs.50 | Rs.300 |
| Renewing a driving licence | Rs.50 | Rs.200 |
| Applying for a new learner’s licence | Rs.30 | Rs.200 |
| Renewing a learner’s licence | Rs.40 | Rs.200 |
| Applying for an | Rs.500 | Rs.1,000 |
| Driving school licence issue and renewal | Rs.2,000 | Rs.10,000 |
| Issuing a | Rs.50 | Rs.200 |
| Fee for appeal against RTO | Rs.100 | Rs.500 |
| Issuing driving schools with | Rs.2,000 | Rs.5,000 |
Types of Driving Licence
There are four types of driving licence an individual can opt for:
- Learning License (LL): A learning licence is a must-have to apply for a permanent or a commercial license. This is valid for six months from issuance and applicant and permanent license can be applied either one month after issuance of LL or 30 days after its expiry.
- Permanent Driving License: This is required for personal use such as taking a kid to school or someone else to shopping or for a ride. This is valid for 20 years or until 50 years of age of the applicant (whichever is earlier)
- Commercial Driving License: This is essential to have to transport goods via a Medium Goods Vehicle (MGV), Light Goods Vehicle (LGV), or a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) or ferry passengers via a Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle (HPMV). This is valid for three years.
- International Driving Permit: This is required to drive in foreign lands or abroad and is only valid for up to a year. It cannot be renewed, and applicants need to reapply once it expires.
Difference Between Driving Licence (DL) and Learner’s Licence (LL)
Here are the differences between a driving Licence (DL) and a Learner’s Licence (LL):
| Points of difference | Driving Licence (DL) | Learner’s Licence (LL) |
| Meaning | A person can drive one or more motorized vehicles on the road with this legal document. | A person learning to drive is issued with this document for practice driving. |
| Issued when? | After successfully completing the final driving test. | Provided for practicing driving to qualify for a driver licence. |
| Permit | Individuals can drive alone | Individuals can drive along with a driver in the front seat with a valid driving licence. |
| Eligibility | 18 years or above | Between 16 years to 18 years |
| Validity | 20 years | Six months |
Do’s and Don’ts
Here is all that you should do:
- Do check the form once you have filled it in for errors or omissions.
- Do carry the original documents with you when you go for your driving test.
- Do remember that a Learner’s Licence is valid only for 6 months.
Here is all that you should not do:
- Don’t submit fraudulent documents along with your application as you will be liable for penal action.
- Don’t forget to attach a copy of your Learner’s Licence when applying for a Driving Licence.
- Don’t drive or ride (this includes while practicing) without a valid licence or documentation with you at all times.
- Don’t drive alone without the presence of a permanent driving licence holder.
website= parivahan.gov
FAQs on How to Apply for Driving Licence
- Is a medical certificate compulsory when applying for a licence?If you are someone above 50 years of age, then a medical certificate is compulsory.
- What is the validity of a Learner’s Licence?A Learner’s Licence is valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issue.
- Is a Learner’s Licence issued in Delhi valid across India?Yes, a Learner’s Licence issued in any state or Union territory is valid throughout the country for the duration of licence validity.
- Will I get a refund if I don’t clear my driving test?No, you will not get a refund if you don’t clear your driving test.
- Fees for a class of vehicle are still showing as pending, even after withdrawing it. What should I do now?In this case, contact the Transport Department or your Zonal office with the original documents. You can even reach out to them through their helpdesk service.
- I have a DL issued by one state and want to apply for another from another state. Is it possible to do so?No matter where you apply from, permanent DL is issued from the same state where your learner DL was issued.
- How do I retrieve my lost Application number? Visit https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/, select your concerned state and click on ‘Application number’ under ‘Others’ menu.
- Is there any driving test needed for an international driving permit?No, for an international driving permit a driving test is not required. Your Permanent Driving Licence is itself proof that conveys your driving skill to the authorities in the foreign land.
- What test is required to get a Commercial Driving Licence?Test for Commercial Driving Licence involves going forward and reverse on a track without touching the line under any circumstances.
Driving licence