Online Driving Licence (DL) Application Form in India

Growing up playing car racing and parking games, learning to drive is one of the most exciting events of our lives. It is something most of us look forward to and the first step to drive legally in India is by getting a driving licence.

Whether you're planning to finally start with your driving lessons or your existing licence is expiring soon, the first thing you must do is apply for a driving licence. Earlier, it was a tedious process. Today, you can fill out the driving licence form online hassle-free. Read on to learn how.

What Is a Driving Licence?

The driving licence or DL is a legal document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to drive 2 and 4-wheeler vehicles or any other types of vehicles on the roads of India. It is issued under the state government as a permit card, which allows you to drive vehicles on public roads and highways. Whichever vehicle you choose to drive, you cannot and must not drive without your driving licence.

The Features of the Driving Licence

Your driving licence is your identity proof. You can present it anywhere and to anyone where your ID proof is required. But don't forget that it's primary job is to deem you fit and eligible for driving.

To make a driving licence fool-proof, it has some unique features, such as:

• Your photograph
• Your unique registration number
• The name of the office from which your DL was generated
• The stamp and the signature of the officer of the issuing authority

Eligibility of Attaining Licences

The most basic criterion is the awareness and understanding of traffic rules and regulations and having all the valid documents. Some other major criteria are as follows:

• You must be between 16-18 years old to obtain a licence, but the vehicle must be a two-wheeler without the gear and has a capacity of fewer than 50 ccs. The parent’s consent is a must for attaining the licence of a minor.
• For motor vehicles with gears, you must be 18 years old to attain a licence.
• For commercial and heavy vehicles, you should have completed the 8th standard and must be 18 years of age (for some states, 20 years).

If you do not fulfil the criteria but are somehow able to attain the licence, your licence will still be invalid. Also, you could be fined between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 25,000, the vehicle will be deregistered for a year, and you will not be allowed to drive till the age of 25. 

Read More: Driving Licence and Learning Licence Fees in India

The Documents Needed to Apply for a Driving licence

To attain a driving licence, you will need to submit certain documents. Here is the list of documents that need to be submitted:

• A passport-size photograph
• An age proof: Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Marksheet of 10th standard
• An address proof: A proof will be validated that mentions your current permanent or rented address; these can be either of AADHAR Card, Rent Agreement, Electricity Bill, Gas Bill, Ration Card, Voter ID or others
• If you are 40 or above, you must submit your medical certificates verified by a physician
• The application fees
• The duly filled application form

Filling Out an Online Driving Licence Application?

On first look, it may appear confusing. But the form is easy to fill out and provides all the necessary information required for the application process.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to fill out the online form:

Step 1 - Visit the website mentioned below

Go to the Road Transport & Highways Ministry on the Sarathi webpage and choose the "Driving Licence" option on the left.

Step 2 - Applying the online menu digitally

From the drop-down column, select "Driving Licence" from the list.

Step 3 - Select "State"

Choose your state of residence from the available options

Step 4 - Click “Apply for Driving Licence” 

Here, the instructions for application submission are provided.

Step 5 - Click “Continue”

You will now need to provide your learner's licence (LL) number. Click your category of licence appropriately. Three options are provided - holding Learner's Licence, holding Foreign DL, and holding Defence Licence. Pick - holding Learner's Licence. Additionally, enter your date of birth and click OK.

Step 6 - Input personal information

Submit your personal information, along with the documents needed to prove your age and address.

Personal Details

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth

Identification Details

• Aadhaar Number
• PAN Number

Upload Documents

Any one of the following Age proof-

• Birth certificate
• PAN card(front and back)
• Certificate issued from the employer if you are working for the state/ central government or a local body
• Educational certificate
• Attested copy of the passport
• Aadhar card(front and back)

Any one of the following Address Proof-

• Voter’s ID (front and back)
• LIC policy bond
• Valid passport
• Employers certificate

Other documents:

• Original learner’s licence
• Application form 4
• Three passport-size photographs

Step 7 - Select timings for your DL Test

Select the appointment times for the DL now, and the request will be successfully delivered to the RTO following payment.

One of the RTO's Inspectors will administer your test. You must drive on the designated driving track of the RTO. Here, the officer will assess your knowledge of the rules, general driving prowess, and compliance with the rules.

Documents needed for the DL test day:

• Your personal photo ID (original and copies) - Aadhar card / Passport/ Voter Id/ PAN card.
• Hard copies of your filled application form, fee payment receipt, and appointment slot confirmation document.
• All the necessary paperwork for the car you plan to drive to the driving test. This comprises the vehicle's registration certificate, insurance certificate, tax card, "Pollution under Control Certificate," fitness certificate (if it's a transport vehicle), and any other pertinent paperwork.

Step 8 - Pay the fee, Verify the Pay Status and Print the receipt

The fee for applying for a driving licence is Rs 200/-. You can pay it through UPI or net banking.

Step 9 -Press "Submit"

When an application is submitted, a web application number is produced that can be used to check on its progress.

Read More: How to Renew Driving Licence Online & Offline

Download the eLicence

• Visit the Parivahan Sewa website.
• Under "online services," select "Driver's Licence-Related Services."
• From the drop-down selection that is presented, select your state of residence.
• In the "Driving Licence" section, click "Print Driving Licence."
• Include your birthdate and application number.
• You can print or save this licence as PDF after clicking "Submit" and viewing the information on your driver's licence.

Driving licence New Rules 2022 - Effective from July 1, 2022

According to these new rules, you can obtain a driving licence at the Regional Transport Office without taking a driving test (RTO). However, you must complete instruction and a test at a driving school that has received government accreditation. The management of the driver training facilities would issue the driving certificate.

To obtain your driver's licence, you must enrol in one of these driver-education programmes and pass an examination there. When you pass the test, the testing centre will provide you with a certificate. You can then directly apply for a driving licence after receiving the certificate. The RTO will issue a driving licence based on your training certificate without requiring you to appear for a test.

List of new rules:

• For training facilities for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and light motor vehicles, a minimum of one acre of land must be available, whereas training facilities for medium- and heavy-duty passenger freight vehicles or trailers require two acres.
• Trainers must have a minimum of a high school graduation, five years of driving experience, and a thorough knowledge of traffic laws.
• The administration has also suggested a teaching curriculum. The duration of the light vehicle operation course is up to 4 weeks and 29 hours. These driving schools will teach in two phases.
• For 21 hours, students must learn how to drive on basic roads, rural roads, highways, and city streets, as well as how to park, reverse, and drive uphill and downhill. The course's theoretical component, which will span 8 hours, will include subjects including driving safety, road etiquette, traffic education, comprehending accident causes, first aid, and fuel efficiency.

In case you are applying for a learner driving licence, look at the following procedure.

How to Apply for a Learner’s Driving Licence on the Sarathi Website?

If this is your first time applying for a driving licence, you may not be aware of this one extra step. You need to apply for a learner's licence before applying for your driving licence. Here's how.

Step 1: Visit the Sarathi website.

Step 2: Select your state of residence and click on the "Go" button.

Step 3: Now, select the "Apply for Learner's Licence" option from the list of services available on the page.

Step 4: Enter your details, such as name, address, date of birth, etc., and click on “Submit”.

Step 5: Upload a recent passport-size photograph and other required documents, such as proof of age, address, etc., and click on “Submit” again.

Step 6: Pay the application fee online or offline and submit your application form for processing.

Step 7: Once your application is approved, you will receive an SMS with a link to book training for driving skills at an authorised driving school in your area.

Step 9: After passing the driving program, you will be issued a learner's licence, which is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and can be used to drive any vehicle within India during this period with supervision from an authorised person or instructor or someone with a DL.

Learner's Licence validity is for 6 months, and you can apply for a new Driving Licence after 30 days of obtaining it. A permanent driving licence can be applied after a minimum of one month to a maximum of 3 months duration after the issuance of the learner’s licence.

How to Apply for a Learner's Licence Online Test?

One has to appear for a written online test which consists of MCQs and tests your knowledge about rules and regulations of road safety.

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

Step 2: Choose your state of residence.

Step 3: From the "Learner's Licence" option, select "Online Learners' Licence Test (STALL)".

Step 4: Enter your LL application number and enter the captcha and click submit.

Step 5: To continue, click the Login Button.

Step 6: Take the test. The questions given are very basic, studying some parts beforehand will help you seal a good score.

How to Apply for a Duplicate DL on the Sarathi Website?

If you have lost your DL and want to apply for a duplicate licence, then simply follow the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Visit the official website of Sarathi (https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do)

Step 2: Select your state and click on the "Go" button.

Step 3: Now, select the "Apply for Duplicate DL" option from the list of services available on the page.

Step 4: Enter your driving licence number and date of birth(or other documents if required) and enter the captcha in the required fields.

Step 5: Fill in all the details asked in the application form and upload all the necessary documents as per the instructions given on the website.

Step 6: Pay the application fee online using a debit/credit card or net banking facility.

Step 7: Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an acknowledgment slip with a unique reference number which can be used to track your application status online.

How to Add a Class of Vehicles to an Application on the Sarathi Website?

The actions below must be taken by every citizen who wants to add a category of automobiles to their licence. Steps to take (flow may vary from place to place) for additional endorsement in the licence:

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

Step 2: Select your state and click on the "Go" button.

Step 3: Now, select the "Add Class of vehicles to an application" option from the list of services available on the page.

Step 4: Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth and click on the "Submit" button.

Step 5: Complete the application.

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit on the Sarathi Website?

Although the process is very similar to the one mentioned above, a few changes are there in the application process.

Step 1: Visit the official website of Sarathi.

Step 2: Select your state and click on the "Go" button

Step 3: Select "International Driving Permit (IDP)" from the list of services available.

Step 4: Enter your details, such as Driving Licence no. and date of birth and enter the captcha. Then click on "Submit".

Step 5: Upload any required documents(if asked). 

Step 6: Make the payment for the application fee and click on "Submit" once more to complete the application process.

Step 7: Verify the pay status and print the receipt.

Read More : Driving Licence and Learning Licence Fees in India 2023

Application for New Vehicle Class Addendum to Driver's Licence (or Form 8)

Form 8 is used by applicants to add a new vehicle class to their licence. This form must contain the applicant's name, the name of a member of the family, the name of the issuing agency, and the licence number. The supplementary class of automobiles that you wish to add to your current driving licence is listed in the following area of the form.

The applicant must attach supporting documentation, including the Medical Certificate, Learner's Permit, Driving Permit, and Driving Certificate. Together with the completion of the form, the fees must also be paid. Finally, a certified officer must complete the Certification of Test of Driving Competence.

Application, cumulative declaration, physical fitness form (or Form 1)

Anyone seeking a driving licence should complete Form 1 to declare their physical condition. This form is divided into two sections. The first portion contains information about the applicant, including name, family member’s names, permanent address, date of birth, and identity markings. The applicant must list any physical infirmities in the second portion of the application. The applicant must honestly state on the application whether they have epilepsy, colour blindness, night blindness, or any other type of hearing or vision impairment. The applicant must provide Form 1A or even the medical certificate together with this data.

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