Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced driver, there is one piece of documentation that has to be carried when taking control of a vehicle – a valid driving licence. In India, driving has become extremely popular with more people looking to buy their own vehicles rather than rely on public transport to get around. Kerala is one such state that is seeing a surge of driving licence applicants and even with the ongoing pandemic, the number keeps rising steadily. Fortunately, the Indian government has made it quite easy for people to apply for a driving licence. The process can either be completed online or offline and takes only a few minutes to do so. Below is a complete guide on how you can apply for a driving licence in Kerala.
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The driving licence for a vehicle is based on the type of vehicle the applicant chooses. In the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department, there are a number of classes of vehicles for which different types of driving licences can be issued. Here is the type of driving licences available in Kerala.
Also read – Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)
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The eligibility criteria for acquiring a driving licence in Kerala are the same as it is across the country. However, there might be a few tweaks or changes depending on the rules of the state. Here is what you need to know before you can apply for a driving licence in Kerala.
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There are a number of documents that have to be copied and attached when applying for a driving licence in Kerala. Here is a list of the documents needed:
One from below documents for verifying age-
One from below documents for verifying address-
Other documents:
Also Read – Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019
Kerala is one of the worst-hit states during the COVID-19 pandemic and because of that, it is safer to apply for a driving licence online. However, the offline procedure for applying for a driving licence is considered extremely popular. Here are the steps to follow when applying for a driving licence offline in Kerala:
Also Read – Vehicle Registration Form List – RTO Forms Online
If you need to apply for a permanent driving licence online in Kerala, then the following steps are required to be followed-
With smartphones and computers becoming easily available, the online application process for a driving licence in Kerala is considered the best option. There are certain steps that need to be followed in order to correctly apply for a driving licence online in Kerala:
Also Read – Driving Licence Application Online Form
Also read – Driving Licence Status Online
Once the application process is completed, applicants can check the status of their driving licence. The RTO advises all applicants to check the status after the first two weeks from the date of submission. The reason behind this is that the RTO takes about 2 weeks to prepare, issue, and dispatch the licence to the registered address. Anyone wishing to check the status of their driving licence in Kerala, these are the steps to follow:
Applicants can check the status of their driving licence through the official state transport department website by following the below steps:
In India, a driving licence is valid for 20 years and must be renewed when the document expires. However, if the driving licence is misplaced or in a bad condition, the holder can apply for a duplicate licence. A duplicate driving licence can also be applied for when the document is damaged, stolen, or lost. To apply for a duplicate driving licence, here is what you need to know.
Applying for a duplicate driving licence in Kerala can be done both online as well as offline and takes only a few minutes to complete the procedure. When it comes to the offline process, a duplicate driving licence must be applied for from the RTO where the original was issued. The online process can be done through a smartphone or a computer with an internet connection. Both methods are relatively simple and require carefully following the steps.
Also Read – RTO full Form – RTO State Code of India
If you don’t remember your DL number, you will have to apply for a new driving licence. Also, you need to apply for a duplicate driving licence within 30 days of loss of the original copy.
Renewing a driving licence in Kerala can be done when the original driving licence has expired. Driving licence holders must apply for a renewal within 30 days of the original licence expiring. The criteria for renewing a driving licence in Kerala are listed here:
Anyone who wants to apply for an International Driving Licence in Kerala has to follow the procedure correctly. The steps are simple and can be done online as well as offline. The best way to apply for an International Driving Licence in Kerala is to visit the Parivahan Sewa website and follow the instructions there. After filling the forms, applicants have to attach and submit the correct documentation as well. Below is everything you need to know about applying for an International Driving Licence in Kerala.
The following documents are to be submitted along with an application for obtaining an international driving licence in Kerala
The driving test is the most important part of the driving licence application process. If you do not successfully clear the test, the driving licence will not be issued. In Kerala, a driving licence test is conducted at the RTO of the applicant’s jurisdiction and with a Motor Vehicles Inspector present. The driving licence test is mandatory for all applicants – online and offline. Applicants will need to visit the RTO on the selected date and they should have their own vehicle. The vehicle class must match the one that is listed on the application form. There are two types of driving licence tests done at the RTO – test for 2-wheeler/3-wheeler and test for 4-wheeler.
When it comes to the driving licence test for 2/3 wheeler vehicles, the RTO and the Motor Vehicles Inspector check to see whether the applicant is capable of riding the vehicle within the specified area. Usually, the applicant is required to ride in a “Figure 8” pattern without lowering their feet and without touching any of the side rails. If this stage is cleared successfully, the inspector will approve the “Road Test” where the applicant must ride a certain distance with the inspector and follow all the rules and regulations. If this stage is also cleared, the inspector approves the driving licence.
The 4-wheeler driving licence test is quite similar to that of the 2/3-wheeler test. The applicants in the 4-wheeler test have to drive in the “H” pattern and avoid the columns and obstacles in the way. If the applicant clears this stage, the inspector approves the road test and the applicant will have to drive a certain distance while following the rules and regulations of the road. If the applicant clears this stage as well, the inspector approves the driving licence.
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A: The status of a driving license application in Kerala can be checked online on keralamvd.gov.in/index.php/license.
A: For the addition of a new class of vehicle to a driving license, the following documents will be required to be submitted to the RTO:
1. Valid driving license
2. Effective learner’s license
3. Application form 8
4. Form 1 and Form 1A
5. Driving license certificate form 5
6. Fee receipt of Rs. 500, Rs. 250 for the card and a service charge of Rs. 50.
A: Yes, the smart card DL is available in the state of Kerala.
A: In Kerala, the application fee for obtaining a driving license is Rs. 200 .
A: You can change the date of your driving licence test at www.keralamvd.gov.in/index.php/license2. You can also visit the nearest RTO and get the date changed there.