Complete Guide to Driving Licence Fees in Karnataka

A Guide to Driving Licence Fees in Karnataka – Structure, Online Payment and Useful Facts

Karnataka, the south Indian state of India, is known for its diverse heritage, culture, and scenic natural beauty with a plethora of beaches and wildlife. With hill stations, waterfalls and national parks, it is a dream for people who enjoy driving through nature.

Popular driving destinations in Karnataka include the Nandi hill loop, Yelahanka trail, Mattu beach drive, Madiwala lake trail, etc. In order to experience these magnificent scenes while driving through, a driving licence is the most essential document to have. Driving without a valid driving licence can land you in a lot of trouble leading to penalties and even imprisonment. 

Each Indian state, including Karnataka, has its own set of rules and regulations for acquiring and maintaining permanent and learner’s driving licences. While applying for a driving licence in Karnataka, one must follow the guidelines set forth by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The process includes filling out the relevant forms, submitting the proof documents, paying the applicable fees and taking the driving test, after which the licence is delivered to the applicant’s address. The process has now been made available online on the official Parivahan Sewa portal. In order to obtain a driving licence and pay the corresponding driving licence fees in Karnataka, applicants can either use the Parivahan website or Karnataka's Transport Department website. 

We will cover a complete overview of the DL fees in Karnataka, including step-by-step guides to make online payments related to driving licences. 

Driving Licence Fees Structure in Karnataka
There are different kinds of driving licences available for application in Karnataka for different vehicle types. They are given as follows:

Depending on the vehicle type, the applicant can apply for the respective driving licence. The following table lists the current driving licence fees in Karnataka for 2-wheeler, 4-wheeler and commercial vehicles:

Driving Licence Fees Structure for Learner’s Licence in Karnataka - for all Licence classes 

The structure for learner’s licence fees in Karnataka, for all licence types, is given below:

As we see from the table above, the total fees for obtaining a learner’s licence is ₹200 (issuance + test fee). If the applicant is absent or fails the test, they will have to book a new appointment and pay a sum of ₹300 as a retest fee. 
Driving Licence Fees Structure for Permanent Driving Licence in Karnataka
When applying for a permanent driving licence in Karnataka, applicants must submit the necessary forms and documents along with the fees. The following table lists out the structure of fees for a permanent driving licence in Karnataka:

Driving Licence Fee Structure for International Driving Licence in Karnataka
The International Driving Permit is a document that allows individuals to drive a vehicle in any country outside of India. To apply for an International Driving Permit in Karnataka, applicants must fill in the required forms, submit all the required documents, and pay a fee of ₹ 1,000. 
How to Pay Online Learning Licence/Driving Licence Fees in Karnataka 

The fee for driving licence in Karnataka can be paid online via two portals, namely the parivahan website, or the Karnataka transport department website. The steps to follow for online fee payment for both portals are listed below.

Online Payment through Parivahan Sewa
Step 1: Go to the Parivahan website.

Step 2: Under ‘Online Services’ on the top menu, click on ‘Driving Licence Related Services’. You will be redirected to the Sarathi website.

Step 3: Select Karnataka as the state from the drop down.

Step 4: Under ‘Fee Payments’ on the top menu, click on ‘Fee Payments’.

Step 5: Read the ‘Instructions For Online Payment for the LL / DL Applicants’ and click ‘Proceed’. 

Step 6: Enter your ‘Application No.’ and ‘Date of Birth’ in the given fields, and then click on the ‘Click Here to Calculate Fee’ button

Step 7: Once the details are generated, click on ‘Bank/Gateway/Treasury’ and select the  option of your choice from the drop down menu. 
Step 8: Enter the verification captcha details in the space provided. 
Step 9: Click ‘Pay Now’ to complete the transaction. 

Online Payment through the Karnataka Transport Department website
Step 1: Visit the Karnataka Transport Department website
Step 2: On the top menu, hover on ‘Parivahan’ and click on Driving Licence Related Services’. You will be redirected to the Parivahan driving licence services page. 
Step 3: Follow the steps as given above from Step 4 onwards and complete the transaction on the Parivahan website. 
Facts about Online DL Fees in Karnataka
A few facts related to driving licence fees in Karnataka that applicants should keep in mind are mentioned below:
- To apply for a permanent driving licence in Karnataka, the applicant must first hold a learner’s licence for at least 30 days.
- The validity of a learner’s licence is 180 days, and the applicant must apply for a driver's licence before the validity expires. 

- If the applicant fails the first driving test, they can take another test after a minimum of 7 days from the date of the initial test. 

- The validity of a driving licence in India is 20 years and needs to be renewed on the expiry date or before expiry. Applicants in Karnataka can apply for renewal of driving licence by paying the DL renewal fees in Karnataka.
- The DL fees can also be paid offline for which the applicant must visit their nearest RTO and directly make the payment there. 

FAQs

Q. How can I get a permanent driving Licence in Karnataka?
The step-by-step process to get a permanent driving licence in Karnataka is outlined below:
- Obtain a Learner’s Licence by applying and taking a test 
- After 30 days of getting your Learner’s Licence, apply for a permanent driving licence online through the Parivahan portal or the Karnataka Transport Department website. You can also apply offline by visiting the nearest RTO and submitting your application.
- Submit the application form (either online or offline) along with the necessary documents like learner’s licence, proof of age, address proof etc.
- Book a slot for your driving test at your local RTO. Take the test on the allotted day. 
- Once you clear the test, your permanent driving licence will be issued and it will be sent to your registered address. You can also collect it from the RTO. 

Q. Is Karnataka driving licence valid all over India?
Yes, absolutely. Any driving licence issued in Karnataka is also valid across India in any state or UT. Just ensure that it is a valid licence and not an expired one.