Driving Licence Kerala – Driving Licence Online & Offline Apply in Kerala

Team CARS24

editor

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.

Also read – Learning Licence Kerala – Learning Licence Online & Offline Apply in Kerala

Types of Driving Licence (DL) in Kerala (KL)

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.

• Motorcycles that come with engine capacities of 50cc or lower.
• Motorcycles that come with/without gears such as mopeds and scooters.
• LMV or Light Motor Vehicles for non-transport purposes.
• LMV or Light Motor Vehicles for commercial purposes.
• HGV or Heavy Goods Vehicles.
• HPV or Heavy Passenger Vehicles.
• Motor vehicles of specific descriptions.

Also read – Commercial Driving Licence (CDL)

Also Read – Smart Card Driving License

Kerala (KL) Driving Licence (DL) – Eligibility Criteria

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.

• For a two-wheeler vehicle that doesn’t exceed 50cc, applicants must be above the age of 16-years and get written consent from their parents or legal guardians.
• When applying for a non-transport driving licence, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• When applying for a transport driving licence, applicants must be at least 20 (twenty) years of age and should have passed the eighth standard (Class 8).
• If applicants require transport driving licences for driving auto-rickshaws, they will be exempted from one year of driving experience.
• Applicant must have a valid learners licence.
• Applicant must apply for a permanent driving licence 30 (thirty) days after or within 180 (one hundred and eighty) days of acquiring the learners licence.
• Applicants should be well-versed with all the traffic rules and regulations.

Also Read – List of Driving Licence (DL) & Learning Licence (LL) Fees in India

Documents Required for Driving Licence in Kerala

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-

• Birth Certificate
• Educational certificate
• Passport
• Certificate issued from the employer if you are working for state/ central government or a local body.

One from below documents for verifying address-

• Ration card
• Voter’s ID
• LIC policy bond
• Passport
• Employers certificate issued by local/central or state government

Other documents:

• Application form 4
• Application form 5 in case of applying for a commercial driving license
• Original learner’s license
• Three passport size photographs

Also Read – Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019

How to Apply for Driving Licence Offline in Kerala (KL)?

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:

• Step 1: Visit the nearest RTO and obtain an application form
• Step 2: You can also download the form from the official website and submit the printed copy at the nearest RTO.
• Step 3: Fill the following details:
  • Full Name
  • Father’s Name
  • Residential Address
  • Educational Qualification
  • Date of Birth
  • Place of Birth
  • Blood Group
  • Identification Mark
• Step 4: Provide proof of address, age and passport-size photos.
• Step 5: Secure an appointment for the first round of test in which your knowledge of traffic rules will be analyzed.
• Step 6: On passing the test, you will receive a learner’s license. You can then apply for a permanent licence after a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 180 days of getting the learner’s licence.

Also Read – Vehicle Registration Form List – RTO Forms Online

How to Apply for Driving Licence Online in Kerala?

If you need to apply for a permanent driving licence online in Kerala, then the following steps are required to be followed-

SHARE THIS INFOGRAPHIC

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:

• Step1: Go to kerala.gov.in/transport-department and get the application form and print it
• Step 2: Submit the completed form at the RTO
• Step 3: Submit all the necessary documents
• Step 4: You will get a slot for the driving test
• Step 5: On successfully completing the test, you will obtain your license in 2 to 3 weeks

Also Read – Driving Licence Application Online Form

Steps to Check Driving Licence Application Status Online in Kerala:

Also read – Driving Licence Status Online

Steps to check driving licence status online through State Transport Department website:

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:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Transport Department of Kerala
• Step 2: Click on ‘DL and LL registration’ option.
• Step 3: A new page will load, in which, click on ‘Know your application status’.
• Step 4: Enter your application number
• Step 5: Click on the ‘Submit’ button and you will be shown the status of your application.

Steps to check driving licence status online through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways official website:

Applicants can check the status of their driving licence through the official state transport department website by following the below steps:

• Step 1: Visit parivahan.gov.in.
• Step 2: Click on ‘Driving license-related services’.
• Step 3: Select the state you reside in.
• Step 4: On the new page that loads, click on ‘Verify status’ option
• Step 5: Enter your application number and date of birth.
• Step 6: Fill in the correct captcha code.
• Step 7: You will be shown the status of your driving license.

How to Apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence in Kerala?

Documents required while applying for a duplicate driving license in Kerala:

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.

• Application form LLD
• FIR copy will be required if the DL is stolen
• Challan clearance report given by the traffic police in case of commercial driving license
• Form 1
• Copy of Age and address proof documents.
• Copy of Original licence
• License number if the license is stolen
• The photocopied documents are required to be attested by a gazetted officer or notary public.

Steps to apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence in Kerala:

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.

• Step 1: Submit the completed form LLD at the RTO.
• Step 2: Submit a fee of Rs. 200
• Step 3: On successful verification, a duplicate driving license will be given

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.

How to Renew Driving Licence in Kerala?

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:

• Driving licence holders have to visit the RTO to complete the renewal process.
• Those individuals who have been barred from the driving licence application process, cannot apply for driving licence renewal.
• If the driving licence has been expired for over 5 years, it cannot be renewed. In this case, the holder has to apply for a new driving licence.

Documents required for renewal of driving license in KL:

• Filled application form 9
• A copy of the expired driver’s licence.
• Medical certificate and Form 1 A if the driver’s age is more than 40 years
• 2 passport size photographs.
• Self-attested copies of age proof and address proof.
• Application fee of Rs.200/- and receipt.

Steps to apply for a Duplicate Licence in Kerala:

• Step 1: Visit the RTO website and select the tab for renewal.
• Step 2: Apply for the renewal and pay the fees of Rs.200/- for the smart card driving licence issued in Kerala
• Step 3: Submit the necessary documents to expedite the request quicker. As soon as the documents will be verified, you will be issued the new driving licence.

Offline Procedure:

• Step 1: Collect the form from the RTO
• Step 2: Fill and submit the form along with the relevant documents at the RTO
• Step 3: On verification of the documents, the applicant will be issued the renewed license on the same day.

Online Procedure:

• Step 1: Visit the official transport website of Kerala government
• Step 2: Download the form and print it
• Step 3: Submit the filled form along with the required documents at the RTO office.
• On successful verification of the documents, a driving license will be issued.

How to apply for an International Driving Licence in Kerala?

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.

Documents required for getting an International Driving License in Kerala:

The following documents are to be submitted along with an application for obtaining an international driving licence in Kerala

• Valid proof of nationality
• Attested copy of the valid driving license, passport and visa
• Attested copy of a valid residence proof
• Five passport-sized photos
• Medical Form 1-A

Steps to apply for a Duplicate Licence in Kerala:

• Step 1: In order to get the driving licence renewed, you need to visit the RTO website and select the tab for renewal.
• Step 2: Apply for the renewal and pay the fees of Rs.200/- for the smart card driving licence that is issued in Kerala
• Step 3: Submit the necessary documents. You will be issued the new driving licence as soon as your documents are verified

Driving Test Procedure 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.

Test for Two-Wheeler & Three-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.

Test for Four Wheeler:

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.

Also Read –Maruti Suzuki Driving School – Fees, Courses, Reviews, Training Itinerary, Practical Training

Tips for Clearing Your Driving Test:

• Practice in advance so that you are confident of your driving skills.
• Arrive a little early for the test
• Don’t turn off the bike or car till it has come to a total halt.
• Shift gears smoothly.
• Use both side and rear mirrors while riding.
• While turning, show an indicator and hand signal.
• The Driving test should not last more than 15 mins.
• An RTO officer will be present to see how well you drive. While driving the car, he will sit beside you to check the movement of the clutch and gear.

Also Read – How to Drive a Manual and Automatic Car

FAQs