Skip to content
Home » Driving Licence

Driving Licence

To lawfully drive a two- or four-wheeler motor vehicle on Indian public roads, you must have a valid driver’s licence. In India, a learner’s permit is required before a person may drive any kind of motor vehicle. A learner’s permit is given out to people who are learning how to drive. The person has one month from the time they receive their learner’s permission to pass the exam in front of an RTO official. The RTO authorities will decide whether the person passed the test or not during a comprehensive examination.

Basics of an Indian Driving Licence

An Indian driver’s licence is necessary for one to legally ride or operate a vehicle on public highways. A permanent driving licence, though, can’t be obtained right away. It has a different procedure.

In order to operate any form of motor vehicle in India, a person needs to obtain a learner’s permit. For learning, a learner’s licence is given. The individual must take the exam in the presence of an RTO authority within a month of receiving their learner’s licence. After a thorough examination, the RTO authority will determine if the individual cleared the exam or not.

Why is a driving licence required in India?

A driving licence serves the following purposes in addition to being required in India in order to lawfully operate a motor vehicle:

  • Vital Personal Identification Certificate

In locations with strong security, you are frequently required to show your ID. Your driver’s licence serves as an ID card and a  form of personal identification.

  • Mandatory Legal Requirement

You must own an active driving permit to be able to drive, whether in India or overseas. An essential document that certifies that you’re fit to handle or operate a motorized vehicle is a driving licence.

Characteristics of a Genuine Driver’s Licence

You can identify if a driving licence is real or false by looking for specific characteristics in the document. 

The following is a list of the key characteristics that assist distinguish a fake licence from a real one:

  • The licence contains the holder’s photocopy, which also certifies the driving licence as proof of ID evidence.
  • The granting authority shall issue the licence with an independent registration number.
  • The name of the company or organization from which the licence was derived and granted.
  • The granting officer’s rubber-stamped signature on the granting RTO.

Driving Licence Categories in India

In India, four main kinds of permits are given out:

  • Learner’s permit
  • International Driving Permit
  • Permanent Driving Licence
  • Commercial Driving Licence

Learner’s permit:

Before issuing the applicant a permanent driving licence, the Road Transport Authority grants a learner’s licence. It’s acceptable for a maximum of six months.
The applicant must present proper documentation to the RTO and clear a brief exam in order to obtain this licence.

The candidate is expected to improve his driving abilities over the course of six months.
The applicant can extend his learning permit if he still lacks confidence behind the wheel.

Permanent Driver’s Licence:

  • If the applicant passes the qualifying requirements, the RTA provides a permanent driving licence following the expiration of the learner’s permit term.
  • According to the requirements, the candidate must be 18 years old and pass the driving exam.
  • In case, if the candidate is unsuccessful in the driving exam, he has seven days to re-attempt it.

Licence for commercial driving:

The commercial driver’s licence is only given to people who operate large vehicles, such as delivery vans as well as trucks.
The requirements to qualify are 

  • The candidate should be at least 18 years old (in some states a minimum age of 20 is required).
  • Receive training from a government training institution or a facility connected with the government.
  • Have passed their education up to the eighth grade.
  • Have valid identification
  • Already holds a learner’s permit.

International Driver’s Licence:

This permit, which verifies that a person’s driver’s licence is in good standing and that they are qualified to drive internationally, is available to those who intend to drive in foreign nations. To help authorities determine the person’s eligibility, the permission is printed in numerous languages.
An application is required to be submitted at the nearby RTO together with a permanent driver’s licence in order to receive this licence. It is only applicable for a year and needs to be applied again after it expires because it cannot be automatically reissued.


An individual can obtain a licence for whatever sort of vehicle they operate. The minimum requirements for each sort of vehicle will differ. The following is a list of numerous vehicle categories that the driving licence may be used for:

Licence ClassVehicle Type
HPMVVehicles used for business purposes that have an All India Passenger Permit
HGMVTransporting commodities required large trucks.
MCWGMotorcycles, either with or without gear.
MC EX50ccGear vehicles have an engine capacity of 50 cc or more.
FGVScooters and mopeds are examples of vehicles without gear.
MC 50ccVehicles with engines 50 cc or less in size.
LMV-NTAutomobiles and other non-transport-type vehicles.

Eligibility Criteria for Getting a driving licence in India

The kind of vehicle and the type of licence determine a person’s eligibility for a driving licence in India. The following list includes the requirements for several licencing types:

Permitted Vehicle TypesEligibility Criteria
Vehicles with engines up to 50cc without gears.16 years old and with parental approval.
Gear VehiclesAged 18 years old.Follow all driving laws and regulations.
Commercial VehiclesTwenty years of age (18 in some states)Formal education must have continued up to the eighth grade.Need to receive training at a government-run or government-affiliated training facility.

Required Documents for a Driving Licence Application

The required documentation must be genuine and accurate in order to prevent delays in the application process. 

The following set of papers is needed to obtain a driver’s licence for Age proof and address proof:

  1. Birth Certificate
  2. PAN Card
  3. Passport
  4. 10th Marksheet
  5. Printed date of birth on a transfer certificate from any school for any class.
  6. Aadhaar Card
  7. Self-owned House Agreement
  8. Utility Bill
  9. Voter Card
  10. Ration Card
  11. LIC Bond

Charge of DL and LL

The charge can be paid online or with an SBI challan.

Licence IssuedNew Fee
Requesting for New Driving LicenceRs. 200
Driving Licence TestRs. 300
Driving Licence RenewalRs. 200
Application for New Learner’s LicenceRs. 200
Learner’s Licence RenewalRs. 200
International Driving Licence ApplicationRs. 1000
Driving School Licence and RenewalRs. 10,000
Fee for an RTO appealRs. 500

How to Make an Application Online for a Driving Licence (DL)

Follow the instructions below to submit an online driving licence application:

  • Step 1: Visit the Sarathi website at sarathi.nic.in as the first step. Click “Sarathi Services,” then choose “New Driving Licence.” After reading the data, save the form.
  • Step 2: Fill out the application as instructed, then submit it. Prior to sending the application form, keep a note of the number associated with the application.
  • Step 3: Once you have completed the submission, you will be sent an SMS updating you on the status of your driver’s licence request.
  • Step 4: To arrange your learner’s licence exam, choose “Appointment for LL Test” under Online Transactions with Sarathi.
  • Step 5: Through the ‘Appointment for Test’ feature, you may choose the time slot and day of your test.
  • Step 6: You must bring the required paperwork, such as proof of your age and address, to the exam venue.

Offline Method 

It will be simpler for you to comprehend how to make an application for a driving licence in person if you use the techniques given below:

  • Step 1: Download the application (Form 1 for learner licence and Form 4 for permanent licence), which resembles the Indian driving licence form. The form may be collected locally at the RTO office or electronically at the state transportation portal.
  • Step 2: Complete the paperwork and submit it, together with identification proving your age and address, to the RTO office in your neighbourhood. Ask the RTO representatives for an examination time for your driving licence test and pay the necessary fees.
  • Step 3: Present yourself at the testing site for your driver’s licence on time. If you pass the test, your driver’s licence will be processed and delivered to your registered address.

A different option is to receive help from the employees at the driving school where you take driving training.

How can I check the status of my driver’s licence?

The actions listed below should be followed to check the status of your driver’s licence online:

Step 1: Select the ‘Online Services’ link on the home page.

Step 2: Select the “Driving Licence Associated Services” option from the drop-down selection.

Step 3: From the drop-down option, choose the state where you submitted an application for a driver’s licence.

Step 4: Select the ‘Application Status’ tab in the upper-right corner.

Step 5: Fill in the necessary information, including the “Application Number,” birth date,” as well as “Captcha.”

Step 6: Select “Submit.”

How can one download a soft copy of a driving licence?

You may get a digital copy of your driving licence through the web in two different ways. The Parivahan portal is the primary one, while DigiLocker is the next one.

Get a soft copy of a driver’s licence from the Parivahan web page:

Step 1: Go to https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ to see the authorized Parivahan portal.

Step 2: Press on “Driving Licence Related Services” under “Online Services” in the menu.

Step 3: A fresh web page will be directed to you, from which you must choose your state.

Step 4: Select “Print Driving Licence” from the “Driving Licence” box.

Step 5: Input your enrollment number as well as your birth date.

Step 6: Press “Submit.”

On your monitor will appear an image of your driver’s licence. You may download it or store it as a PDF.

Indian Driving Permit for Foreigners

Indian people going abroad are issued an International Driving Permit (IDP) by the Road Transport Authority of India, enabling them to take the roads in any country outside of India where the document is regarded as legitimate. 

It is crucial that you maintain the original driving licence, passport, as well as international driving permit on hand when riding on international roads. According to the needs of the destination country, it is usually issued in many languages and has a similar look to a passport. A year is the duration of an IDP. If you need it for an extended period of time, you must have it renewed.

In India, who grants driving licences?

The country’s Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) are responsible for issuing driver’s licences. There is a specific RTO for each geographical location. The RTO to whose jurisdiction the applicant belongs will consider the application for a driving licence. Since a valid driving licence must be held in order to operate a car on public roads, getting one from one of the permitted licencing authorities is crucial.

India’s duplicate driving licence

A driving licence (DL) is a vital document in India since it functions as both a proof of legal identification and a licence for motorists. If a person loses their initially issued driving licence, they can promptly get an alternate one from the RTO (Regional Transport Office). You must fill out the registration form and bring it to the RTO together with the required supporting papers in order to submit your request.

Traffic Fines:

An estimated 1.5 lakh people lose their lives in collisions with vehicles in India. The Indian government updates traffic laws, regulations, and punishments on a periodic basis in an effort to reduce the number of deaths. Every citizen has a duty to abide by rules; the denial of doing so is a crime and is punishable.

How long does the validity of a driver’s licence?

A driver’s licence will remain valid for 20 years as long as it is used for private automobiles. For business vehicles, the driving licence is only legitimate for three years.

What shall I do to begin the application procedure for a driver’s licence?

Before filing a request for a driving licence, you need to first qualify for a learner’s permit. Before applying for a driver’s licence, you need to have had a learner’s permit for a minimum of 30 days. A driver’s licence request can be sent online or at the RTO.

What paperwork must I provide to apply for a driving licence?

When you seek a driver’s licence, you need to submit the following documents: forms 1, 1A, 2, and 3 for proving your age and residence.

If I fail to pass the driving exam, may I appeal again for a licence?

 In the event that you don’t pass the driving exam, you may reapply for a licence. After seven days, you may attempt the exam a second time.

How should I proceed if I lose my driver’s licence?

 In the event that you lose the original licence, you must request a duplicate of it.

Within what time frame must I renew my driver’s licence?

You have five years from the licence’s expiration date to renew. Driving with an expired licence, nevertheless, is prohibited.

 Is the driver’s licence valid throughout the nation?

Yes, the driver’s licence is accepted anywhere in the nation.

 Is a medical certificate required in order to get approved for a driving licence?

A medical certificate is not required for anyone under the age of 50. People who are using a car for transportation must, nevertheless, present a medical certificate.

Where do I go to get a learner’s permit?

You can submit an application for a learner’s licence by going to the local RTO or by navigating to the company’s website.

 Can I renew my IDP while travelling abroad?

 If your permission runs out while you are still overseas, you may renew it online using Indian embassies.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *