Driving Licence: Online & Offline Application Process

To operate a motor vehicle as an Indian citizen, you must have a valid driver’s licence. A driving licence is a government-issued document that allows a vehicle owner to freely operate his car on Indian roadways. Due to an increase in the number of accidents caused by unlicensed individuals over the years, the Government of India has enacted stringent penalties and punishments for those who drive a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s licence.

Furthermore, if you drive a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s licence, you will be unable to seek insurance in the event of an accident. So, to assist you in obtaining a driving licence here is a guide on obtaining a driving licence.

Driving Licence Eligibility in India 

Type of Permanent Driving Licence Eligibility Criteria
Motorcycles without gear (with a capacity of up to 50 cc) The applicant must be at least 16 years old and have parental or guardian agreement if he is under the age of 18.
Motorcycles equipped with gear The applicant must be 18 years old or older.
Commercial Heavy Vehicles and Transport Vehicles The applicant must have finished eighth grade. The applicant must be 18 years old or older (in some states, the minimum age limit is 20 years).
General Requirement The applicant must be familiar with traffic laws and regulations. The applicant must provide legitimate proof of age and proof of address.Driving Licence (DL) Online Application process

How to Apply for Driving Licence (DL) Online? 

To apply for a new Driving Licence, follow the instructions given below:

  • Go to Parivahan Sarathi Portal to make a state selection.
  • From the dropdown menu, choose the state where you want to apply.
  • On your screen, a variety of services will be displayed. Choose “Apply for a Learner’s Licence”
  • Complete the application form with the necessary details.
  • Upload any required documents, such as proof of identification and proof of address.
  • Upload a photo of yourself and your signature.
  • Schedule a driver’s licence verification appointment.
  • Make the necessary payments.
  • Re-check the status of your payment.
  • Generate a payment receipt.

How to Apply for Driving Licence (DL) Offline? 

  • You can also apply for a driver’s licence in person at the RTO office closest to you.
  • Following that, you must complete the required documents and submit them with your application form.
  • Identity proofs, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship are the paperwork you’ll need.
  • After that, you must go to the RTO office to take your online test.

Documents Required for Driving Licence Application Form

Regardless of whether you apply for a driver’s licence in person or online, you’ll need the following documents:

  • Age proof, such as (birth certificate, PAN card, school certificate, passport)
  • Address proof, such as a utility bill (electricity or water bills, bank passbook, ration card, voter ID card, passport)
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Proof of current residence (electricity bill, bank statement, telephone bill, etc)
  • The following forms are available via state RTO centres, or portals:
    • Form of application
    • Declaration of physical fitness
    • 1 passport-sized photos Application
    • Driver’s Licence Medical Certificate Form

Driving Licence (DL) & Learner’s Licence (LL) Fee structure

Type of Issue Fees (in Rs.)
Driver’s Licence 200
Driver’s Licence Test 300
Driver’s Licence Renewal 200
Learner’s Licence Application 200
Renewal of Learner’s Licence 200
International Driving Permit 1000
Issuing Renewed Driver’s Licence 200
Appeal against RTO Fee 500

Driving Test Procedure

Step 1: The application form CMV 4 can be obtained from the information counter or downloaded from the internet. If you choose to receive it at the counter, you will need to provide three passport-sized photographs.

Step 2: To be qualified for a driver’s licence, you must present the following documents:

  • A valid learner’s permit
  • All of the necessary paperwork for the vehicle in which you intend to take the driving test. This comprises the
  • Registration Certificate, Insurance Certificate, Tax Card, PUCC and, if the vehicle is a transportation vehicle, the Fitness Certificate and any other connected documents.
  • If you’re taking the exam in a transport vehicle, you’ll additionally need a certificate in the form CMV 5 from
  • your Driving Training School.
  • Pollution Under Control Certificate
  • Application form that is completely filled out
  • Passport-size photos taken recently
  • For diesel vehicles, the permissible emission limit has been significantly reduced with the BS6 norms. For diesel vehicles, the limit for NOx is 250mg/km in BS4 norms whereas, with BS6 norms, it has been reduced to 80mg/km.

Step 3: You must travel to the RTO office and pay a cost of Rs. 40 for a DL book in order to take the driving licence test. A fee of Rs. 50 is also required for the Driving Test. The application and supporting materials must be submitted to the RTO. *Revised cost for DL Test in January – 2017 – Rs. 300 OLD Fee for Driving licence Test – Rs. 50

Step 4: After that, the driving test will take place. A few traffic rules will be introduced to you. If you passed the driving test with flying colours, the testing authority will confirm the status of your driver’s licence. If you pass the test, the Asst. R.T.O. will issue an order for the issuance of your driver’s licence. If you’re one of the applicants who passed the test and paid the fees, you’ll be sent to a room with a computer where your photo will be taken. Between 4.30 and 5.30 p.m. the next day, you will obtain your driver’s licence.

Tips to Keep in Mind While Going for a Driving Test

Obtaining a driver’s licence is a significant milestone in most people’s life, and it is one that they anticipate with great joy, anticipation, and even fear. There’s no certainty that you’ll pass your driving test, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of passing.

The following tips will help you pass your DL test easily:

  • Be punctual and get to your test centre beforehand so you are not frazzled.
  • If feasible, schedule a driving lesson on the day of your exam so you may go over any manoeuvres or get answers to any last-minute queries.
  • Check that you have all of the necessary documentation and that your vehicle is properly outfitted and meets the test requirements.
  • If you don’t understand something during the examination, be calm and simply ask the examiner to repeat it.
  • Panic will cause you to lose attention and make mistakes.
  • Make sure you’ve practised on a number of different roadways. If you want to prevent any unpleasant shocks on test day, you’ll need a combination of main and local roads, country lanes, and dual carriageways.

Frequently Asked Questions 

 
You have the option to play in either online or offline mode, depending on your preferences. If you want to receive your licence quickly and easily, you can use the online mode. Take a look at some of the advantages of applying for a driver’s licence online.
Time-Friendly: You don’t have to waste time going to an RTO office to apply for a driver’s licence when you apply online. It takes only a few minutes to make it online.
Reduces Inaccuracy: You have complete control over the application process when you apply for a licence online. You can double-check that all of the information you’ve entered in your form is valid and complete. As a result, you lessen the odds of RTO workers making an error when transcribing handwritten paperwork into the computer system. Because there is no inaccuracy, you will not have to waste time having your licence corrected later.
Driving licenscs in India are valid for 20 years from the date of issuance or until the licence holder reaches the age of 50, whichever comes first. The driving licence for commercial vehicles is valid for 3 years.
You can appear for a retest after 60 days after your last failed attempt.
You may appear for a reattempt after 7 days.
A learner’s permit is only valid in one city and is not transferable to other cities in the same state. The only driver’s licence that is valid across India is the permanent driver’s licence.
For Transport Vehicle: 3 years, For Non-Transport Vehicles: 5 years
20/40
A visual acuity of 20/40 (0.5, 6/12) is the most typical criterion. There appears to be universal agreement that this provides an appropriate safety buffer between office-based visual acuity and on-the-road driving safety.
Step 1: Get your vehicle designated as a “Invalid Carriage.” You can make practically any car ‘disability friendly’ by making minor changes to it through the right vendors.
Step 2: Have the car upgraded by reputable companies.
Step 3: Then go to the RTO with all of the essential paperwork, such as proof of address, identification, and car insurance. You’ll also need a completed Form 20 with the vehicle’s class as INVALID CARRIAGE Non Transport, a Disability ID card, a Disability Certificate, two copies of the chassis number on two pieces of paper (done by pencil sketching), and a covering letter requesting the RTO to register your car as Invalid Carriage and for tax exemption.
Step 4: Allow the appointed inspector to inspect and approve your vehicle at the RTO.
Step 5: submitting the form, you will be exempt from paying any registration fees because you will be excused from paying any road taxes (varies from state to state).
Step 6: They will ask you to come back in a week to receive the RC book / card when the forms have been filed and accepted at the office. A small price of roughly 120 rupees may be charged to “change your vehicle” to Invalid Carriage.