Driving Licence Jammu and Kashmir - Driving Licence Online & Offline Apply in Jammu and Kashmir

Introduction 

The scenic roads of Jammu and Kashmir may feel like a perfect invitation to get behind the wheels, but the rough terrain through the hills and snow requires expertise to drive on those roads. A permanent driving licence is a mandatory requirement to drive anywhere in India. Before a person can legally drive, the RTO ensures they pass the driving tests. The network of central government’s online driving licence portal, along with the local RTOs, has streamlined the driving licence application process for the applicants significantly. To learn more about the driving licence application process in Jammu and Kashmir, along with the eligibility criteria, required documents, and driving test procedure, read on. 

Types of driving licence status in Jammu and Kashmir?

There are broadly two types of driving licences in Jammu and Kashmir, as in the rest of India, namely learner’s licence and permanent licence. These licences are further categorised as per vehicle type, and commercial usage. 

What is the eligibility to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

To apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir, it is mandatory to apply for a learner’s licence first. After clearing the color blindness and limb movement inspection and online Screen Test Aid for Learner's Licence (STALL) test, a learner’s licence is granted to the applicant. In order to apply for a permanent DL, one must be a learner’s licence holder for at least 30 days and not more than 180 days. Below are some of the vehicle types and their eligibility criteria. 

What documents are required to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

While applying for a learner’s licence, the following documents are required:

• Form 1, which is a self-declared physical fitness certificate
• Form 1A, which is an MBBS doctor-certified physical fitness certificate. It is applicable for all commercial licence applicants and applicants older than 50 years across all DL categories.
• Two recent passport size photos
• Form 2, which is the application form for learner’s licence
• Residence proof
• Age proof
• The applicable driving licence fees

While applying for the permanent driving licence, following documents must be submitted for verification:

• Form 4, which is the application form for a permanent driving licence in India
• The original, valid learner’s licence, which must be within 30 and 180 days of its validity period
• A recent passport size photograph of the applicant
• Form 5, mandatory in case of commercial DL, which is the certificate issued from a motor driving school notifying the successful completion of driver’s training. Certificate of educational qualification, minimum 8th standard
• The applicable driving licence fees

Driving licence fee structure in Jammu and Kashmir?

The driving licence fee structure varies from state to state across India. In Jammu and Kashmir, the following fees structure is applicable for various licence categories and driving licence application statuses:

How to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir online?

One can apply for a new driving licence both online and offline in Jammu and Kashmir. Before applying for a permanent DL, one must first obtain a learner’s licence. A permanent DL can only be applied for within the 30 to 180 days of holding a valid learner’s licence. One can apply online for a learner’s licence in Jammu and Kashmir by visiting the Sarathi.Parivahan portal, which can be accessed directly, or through either the MoRTH’s Parivahan website or the respective state transport website. 

The process to apply for a learner’s licence in Jammu and Kashmir is as follows:

Step 1: Go to https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/

Step 2: Choose the state as “Jammu and Kashmir” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: On the next page, a pop-up window will open. Click on “Skip”.

Step 4: Click on the first icon on the page, i.e. "Application for Learner Licence".

Step 5: Go through the Road Safety tutorial to brush up your knowledge about traffic rules and signs, and keep all the documents handy for upload. Then, click on “Continue”.

Step 7: For learner’s licence, select “Applicant does not hold any Driving/Learner licence issued in India”. Then, select the applicable category from the drop down from “General/Divyang/Diplomats/Ex-servicemen/Others”. Finally, select the applicable RTO and press “Submit”. 

Step 8: On the next page, the applicant must choose the mode of KYC as “Submit via Aadhaar Authentication”. Press “Submit”. 

Step 9: Fill in your Aadhaar Number and click on “Generate OTP”. Ensure that you have linked your current number to your Aadhaar card, as your linked mobile number will receive the OTP. Fill the OTP in the designated box. And click on “Submit” at the bottom of the screen. 

Step 10: The next screen will show your personal information linked with Aadhaar. Verify the information and if all is correct, click on “Proceed”. 

Step 11: On the next page, fill in all the personal information like address, phone number, blood group, place of birth, educational qualification, and more. At the bottom of the page, select the class of vehicle you’re applying the DL for. Then, click on the yellow button under the declaration section to fill the “Self Declaration (Form 1)”, fill the captcha and finally, “Submit”. 

Step 12: Upon acceptance of your application, the screen will display the "Application Reference Slip". Save this slip for tracking the status further. Click on “Next”. 

Step 13: Proceed with the upload of documents and fees payment. 

After the completion of the above steps and taking the online test, you’ll receive your learner’s licence. After 30 days of holding a learner’s licence, you are eligible to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir. Please note that the learner’s licence can be obtained online, but one can only apply for the permanent DL online. The applicant must visit the RTO or the authorised driving school to take the driving test. 

The process of applying for a permanent DL is as follows:

Step 1: Go to https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/

Step 2: Choose the state as “Jammu and Kashmir” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: On the next page, a pop-up window will open. Click on “Skip”.

Step 4: Click on the first icon on the page, i.e. "Application for Driving Licence".

Step 5: Follow the steps on the next page, fill out applicant information on the online driving licence application form, upload required documents, and upload a photo and signature, if applicable.

Step 6: Select the applicable RTO and book a slot for the DL Test. 

Step 7: Pay the fees and verify the payment status online.

Step 8: Visit the RTO for the driving test with all the documents as per the booked time slot. 

How to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir offline?

To get a learner’s licence offline, the following steps must be followed: 

Step 1: Visit the nearest RTO with all the necessary documents. 

Step 2: Fill the required forms, and submit, along with the documents. 

Step 3: Pay the fees for each class of vehicle and book the slot for the STALL test. 

Step 4: Take the STALL test at the RTO. 

If the applicant clears the test, a learner’s licence will be granted on the same day as the test. As mentioned earlier, one is eligible to apply for a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir only after 30 days and before 180 of being granted the learner’s licence. 

The process of applying for the permanent driving licence offline is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the nearest RTO and collect the application and other necessary forms for permanent driving licence application.

Step 2: Fill the form, and submit, along with the specified documents for verification.

Step 3: Pay the applicable fee for each class of vehicle.

Step 4: Book a slot for the driving test.

Step 5: Visit the RTO on the date of the driving test. 

After completing the above steps, wait for the DL test results by tracking the DL application status online or offline. After the driving test, it usually takes about 2-3 weeks for the DL test results to be declared. The applicant will receive the approved DL at their home address. 

What is the process of the RTO driving test in Jammu and Kashmir?

The driving test is done in the presence of an authorised Motor Vehicle officer at the RTO, who monitors the driving skills of the applicants on the following grounds:

• Ability to drive comfortably, along with performing specific functions like driving along a Straight T, and taking a U-turn in a four-wheeler and driving along an 8 in a two-wheeler. 
• A road test, including road awareness and the knowledge of traffic rules.

Passing this driving test is critical to obtaining a permanent DL. In case the applicant fails this test, a re-test is required to get the permanent DL, before the validity of the learner’s licence expires.

FAQs

Q. Can I drive on public roads with a learner's driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

Yes, you can drive on public roads. However, you must note that this period is for practicing your driving skills on the road, and there are certain restrictions that must be adhered to while driving on a learner’s licence:

• When driving  four-wheelers, you must always be accompanied by a permanent DL holder while on the road, and mandatorily display a red “L” on the vehicle. 
• When riding two-wheelers, you must not ride with a pillion other than your instructor. 

Q. Can I renew a learner's driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

No, a learner’s licence can not be renewed. After its validity is over, a new learner’s licence has to be applied for. For this, visit the Sarathi.Parivahan website and select the state from the drop down. From the menu bar, click on the “Learner’s Licence” drop down menu, and select “Expired Learner Licence Issue Again". Fill in the Expired Learners Licence Number in the box, follow the steps, and apply for a new learner’s licence. 

Q. How do I download my driving licence on DigiLocker in Jammu and Kashmir?

You can download your DL on the DigiLocker app, by following the steps below:

• Download the DigiLocker app on your mobile phone. 
• Sign up with your mobile number. Then, log in. 
• On the home screen, click on “Search Document”. 
• Then, click on “Driving Licence All-State“.
• On the next page, enter the DL number, and click on “Get Document”. 
• Your DL will be downloaded to the DigiLocker app. 

Q. What is the validity of a driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

The DL in Jammu and Kashmir is granted for an initial period of 20 years, or till the age of 50, whichever comes first. 

Q. Can I apply for an international driving licence?

You can apply for an international driving permit if you hold a valid Indian DL, and are a resident of India. One can apply for the international driving permit, by filling the Form 4A, and submitting the copies of a valid DL. In addition, copies of passport, visa and air tickets of the countries that you intend to use the DL in must also be submitted for verification purposes. Finally, applicable fees must be paid. 

Q. What should I do if I lose my driving licence in Jammu and Kashmir?

If you lose your Jammu and Kashmir issued driving licence, you must first file an FIR. The FIR for the lost DL can be filed in the local police station. Next, an application for a duplicate DL can be submitted either online or by visiting the RTO which issued the original licence. The issuing RTO must be informed in writing of the loss or damage of the DL. Submit the applicable forms, documents and the FIR for the lost DL, and pay the applicable fee. You’ll get a payment receipt, which can be used temporarily as a licence till the time you receive the duplicate DL. 

Q. What does the driving test involve in Jammu and Kashmir?

The driving test in Jammu and Kashmir is conducted by the Motor Vehicle officer at the RTO. This test monitors your driving skills, road awareness, and knowledge of road signs and traffic rules. During the driving test, common tasks may include performing a straight T, a U-turn in a four-wheeler, and a figure-of-8 in a two-wheeler. The applicant must pass this driving test in order to get a permanent DL. If the applicant fails this test, they must apply for a re-test.