Applying for a driving licence online has become the most convenient and efficient way to obtain your licence in India. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has streamlined the process through the Sarathi Parivahan portal, allowing applicants to complete most formalities from the comfort of their homes.
This comprehensive guide covers the complete online application process, from eligibility criteria and document preparation to test scheduling and licence delivery.
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Driver License Services (New, Renewal, Learner): Duplicate license, application tracking, appointment scheduling, online learner test, and other services.
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Schedule or change online test appointments.
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Table of Contents
Eligibility Criteria for Driving Licence
Who Can Apply for a Driving Licence?
- Age Requirement: Minimum 18 years for private vehicles, 20 years for commercial vehicles
- Educational Qualification: No specific educational requirements
- Medical Fitness: Must be medically fit to drive (medical certificate required for commercial vehicles)
- Residential Status: Indian citizen or valid visa for foreigners
- Learner's Licence: Must hold a valid learner's licence for at least 30 days before applying for permanent licence
- Knowledge Test: Must pass the theoretical knowledge test
Important Eligibility Notes
- Applicants must be at least 16 years for driving gearless motorcycles up to 50cc
- Commercial vehicle drivers need additional medical tests and certificates
- Foreign nationals need valid visa and additional documents
- Applicants with certain medical conditions may have restrictions
- Previous licence suspensions or cancellations may affect eligibility
Required Documents for Online Application
Essential Documents Checklist
- Age Proof: Birth certificate, PAN card, passport, or 10th mark sheet
- Address Proof: Aadhaar card, passport, utility bills, or rental agreement
- Passport-sized Photographs: 3-4 recent color photographs with white background
- Learner's Licence: Copy of valid learner's licence (for permanent DL application)
- Application Form: Duly filled Form 4 (for permanent DL) or Form 2 (for learner's licence)
- Medical Certificate (Form 1A): Required for applicants above 40 years (commercial) or 50 years (private)
- Application Fee: Payment receipt for the prescribed fee
Special Cases - Additional Documents
- Foreign Nationals: Valid passport, visa, and residential permit
- Commercial Vehicle Licence: Additional medical tests and driving school certificate
- International Driving Permit: Valid Indian driving licence and passport-sized photographs
- Duplicate Licence: FIR copy in case of lost or stolen licence
Online Driving Licence Application Form
Apply for Driving Licence Online
Application Submitted Successfully!
Your driving licence application has been submitted successfully. Please note your application details:
Application Number:
Submission Date:
You will receive further instructions on your registered mobile number and email. Keep your application number safe for future reference.
Application Failed
We couldn't process your driving licence application at this time. Please check your details and try again, or contact customer support.
Complete Online Application Process
Visit Sarathi Parivahan Portal
Navigate to the official Sarathi Parivahan website. Ensure you're using the genuine government portal to avoid phishing attempts.
Open Official Parivahan Portal Direct Link to Sarathi ServicesCreate/Login to Your Account
Register for a new account or login with your existing credentials. You'll need to verify your mobile number and email address.
Select Application Type
Choose the type of driving licence application - New Learner's Licence, New Driving Licence, Renewal, or International Driving Permit.
Fill Application Form Online
Complete the online application form with accurate personal, address, and vehicle details. Double-check all information before proceeding.
Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format and size. Ensure documents are clear and legible.
Pay Application Fee Online
Pay the applicable fee using available online payment methods (credit/debit card, net banking, UPI).
Schedule Appointment
Book an appointment for document verification and driving test at your selected RTO office.
Visit RTO for Verification & Test
Visit the RTO on your scheduled date with original documents for verification and take the driving test.
Receive Driving Licence
After successful verification and test, your driving licence will be dispatched to your registered address.
Benefits of Online Application
- Convenient application from home or office
- Reduced paperwork and documentation
- Online payment options
- Choice of appointment date and time
- Real-time application status tracking
- Digital acknowledgement and receipts
- Faster processing compared to offline methods
Driving Licence Fee Structure
Standard Application Fees (State-wise)
| Service Type | Fee Amount | Additional Charges | Total Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner's Licence | ₹150 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹180 |
| Driving Licence (MCWG) | ₹200 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹230 |
| Driving Licence (LMV) | ₹400 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹430 |
| Driving Licence (Commercial) | ₹500 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹530 |
| International Driving Permit | ₹1000 | ₹100 (Service Charge) | ₹1100 |
| Licence Renewal | ₹200 - ₹500 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹230 - ₹530 |
| Duplicate Licence | ₹200 | ₹30 (Service Charge) | ₹230 |
Important Fee-Related Information
- Fees may vary slightly between different states
- Additional charges may apply for driving school certificates
- Online payments may include gateway charges (1-2% of transaction amount)
- Keep the payment receipt until you receive your driving licence
- Refund policies vary by state and are generally not available after application processing begins
Learning & Driving Test Process
Obtain Learner's Licence
First, apply for and obtain a learner's licence. This involves a theoretical test on traffic rules and signs.
Practice Driving
Practice driving with your learner's licence for at least 30 days under the supervision of a licensed driver.
Schedule Driving Test
After 30 days, schedule your driving test appointment through the online portal.
Prepare for Driving Test
Familiarize yourself with the driving test components and practice the required maneuvers.
Take Driving Test
Visit the RTO on your scheduled date with your vehicle and take the practical driving test.
Receive Test Results
Get immediate feedback on your driving test performance from the RTO inspector.
Driving Test Components
- Basic Vehicle Control: Starting, stopping, and basic maneuvers
- Figure of Eight: Driving in a figure-eight pattern to test control
- Gradient Test: Starting on an incline without rolling back
- Reverse Parking: Parking in reverse between markers
- Road Driving: Driving on actual roads with traffic
- Traffic Rules Compliance: Following traffic signals and signs
Track Your Application Status
Online Status Check
Check your application status through the Sarathi Parivahan portal using your application number.
Check Status OnlinemParivahan App
Use the official mParivahan mobile application to track your application status on the go.
Download AppRTO Office Visit
Visit your local RTO office with your application receipt to check the status in person.
Application Status Meanings
- Application Received: Your application has been successfully submitted
- Under Verification: Documents and details are being verified
- Test Scheduled: Driving test has been scheduled
- Test Completed: Driving test has been completed
- Approved: Application approved, licence being processed
- Dispatched: Licence has been dispatched for delivery
- Rejected: Application rejected (check reason for rejection)
Frequently Asked Questions
General Application Questions
After submitting your online application, it typically takes 15-30 days to receive your driving licence, depending on your state's processing time and test schedule availability.
No, you must first obtain a learner's licence and hold it for at least 30 days before applying for a permanent driving licence. The learner's licence allows you to practice driving under supervision.
If you fail the driving test, you can reappear for the test after 7 days. Most states allow up to 3 attempts within 6 months of your learner's licence validity.
Medical certificate (Form 1A) is mandatory for applicants above 50 years for private vehicles and above 40 years for commercial vehicles. Some states may have different age criteria.
Online Application Specific Questions
Yes, you need to visit the RTO at least once for document verification and driving test, even if you apply online. Some states may require additional visits for biometric data collection.
Once dispatched, driving licences are typically sent via India Post. Some RTOs provide tracking numbers, but this varies by state. Contact your RTO for delivery tracking information.
If your online application is rejected, you'll receive a reason via SMS/email. You can reapply with corrected documents or visit an RTO for assistance with the rejection reason.
Yes, you can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) online if you already have a valid Indian driving licence. The process is similar to other driving licence applications.
Parivahan Helpline
If you face any problem in driving license, document update, vehicle details check and pay your vehicle challan, you can contact using below details –
| Problem | Email ID | Contact Number | Timings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration, Fitness, Tax, Permit, Dealer | helpdesk-vahan[at]gov[dot]in | +91-120-4925505 | 06:00 AM - 12:00 Midnight |
| Learner License, Driving License | helpdesk-sarathi[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |
| mParivahan Services | helpdesk-mparivahan[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |
| eChallan Services | helpdesk-echallan[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |