Driving Licence Apply Online India 2026 — Learner's & Permanent Guide

A Driving Licence (DL) is a mandatory legal document for anyone operating a motor vehicle on Indian roads. Issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is also widely accepted as a government-issued photo ID. In 2026, the entire process — from applying for a Learner's Licence to receiving your Permanent Driving Licence — can be completed online through the Sarathi Parivahan portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. This guide walks you through every step, required document, fee, and portal field you need to know.

Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria

• ●Must be a citizen of India (or valid visa holder for specific categories)
• ●Minimum age 16 for Motorcycle Without Gear (MCWOG — scooter, moped) with written parental consent
• ●Minimum age 18 for Motorcycle With Gear (MCWG) and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV — car, jeep, SUV)
• ●Minimum age 20 for Transport or Heavy Motor Vehicles (TRANS / HMV)
• ●Must hold a valid Learner's Licence for at least 30 days before applying for Permanent DL
• ●Must pass the Learner's Licence computer-based test (20 questions, minimum 12 correct) at your designated RTO

Documents Required

• ●Age Proof (any one): Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Birth Certificate, Class 10 marksheet
• ●Address Proof (any one): Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Passport, utility bill not older than 3 months
• ●Recent passport-size photograph (white background, JPG format, under 50 KB)
• ●Signature image on plain white paper (JPG format, under 30 KB)
• ●Medical Certificate — Form 1 (self-declaration for LMV/MCWG/MCWOG); Form 1A signed by a registered medical practitioner required for TRANS and HMV categories
• ●Learner's Licence number (required only when applying for Permanent DL)

Step-by-Step: Apply for Learner's Licence (LL) Online

1. 1Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do in your browser. Select your home state from the dropdown list and click 'Proceed'.
2. 2On your state's Sarathi portal dashboard, click 'Learner Licence' in the left sidebar menu.
3. 3Click 'Apply for Learner Licence'. You will see an instruction page — read the checklist and click 'Continue'.
4. 4On the submission method page, select 'Submit Application Online with Document Upload' and click 'Submit'.
5. 5Fill in your personal details: Full Name (as on Aadhaar), Date of Birth, Gender, Father's/Husband's Name, and full residential address. Click 'Next'.
6. 6Select the vehicle class(es) you want. Example: choose MCWG for a bike or LMV for a car. You can select multiple classes in a single application.
7. 7Fill in Form 1 (self-declaration of medical fitness). If applying for TRANS or HMV, also fill Form 1A with a doctor's signature and stamp.
8. 8Upload scanned copies of your Age Proof, Address Proof, photograph, and signature. Each file must be JPG or PDF and under 2 MB.
9. 9Review all details on the application summary page. If everything is correct, click 'Submit Application'.
10. 10You will be redirected to the payment gateway. Pay the LL application fee online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Download or screenshot the payment receipt.
11. 11After payment, click 'Slot Booking'. Choose your nearest RTO, select an available date and time, and confirm your test appointment.
12. 12Visit the RTO on your booked date carrying original documents. Take the 20-question computer-based LL test. You need at least 12 correct answers to pass.

Learner's Licence Test — What to Expect

The LL test is a computer-based multiple-choice exam conducted at your RTO. It has 20 questions covering traffic signs, road safety rules, and the Motor Vehicles Act. You need to answer at least 12 correctly (60%) to pass. The test typically takes under 10 minutes. Some RTOs have enabled an online home-based LL test through the Sarathi portal — check with your RTO if this option is available in your district. Your Learner's Licence is issued digitally on the same day after passing and can be downloaded immediately from the Sarathi portal under 'Application Status'.

Step-by-Step: Apply for Permanent Driving Licence (DL)

1. 1Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do and select your state.
2. 2Click 'Driving Licence' in the left sidebar, then click 'Apply for Driving Licence'.
3. 3Enter your Learner's Licence number and date of birth. Click 'Get LL Details' — your personal information will auto-populate from the LL record.
4. 4Verify your personal details and confirm the vehicle class(es) you want on the Permanent DL. The system checks that at least 30 days have passed since LL issue date.
5. 5Fill in Form 1 (medical self-declaration). For TRANS or HMV categories, upload a signed and stamped Form 1A.
6. 6Upload supporting documents: photograph, signature, and any updated address or age proof if required by your RTO.
7. 7Review the application summary page carefully and click 'Submit'.
8. 8Pay the DL application fee and smart card fee on the payment gateway. Save the receipt with the transaction reference number.
9. 9Schedule your Driving Test slot: select your RTO, choose an available date and time, and confirm. Bring your own vehicle or hire a test vehicle available at most RTOs.
10. 10Appear at the RTO on your test date. A Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) will evaluate your driving on the test track. Tests are typically under 10 minutes.
11. 11If you pass, your DL is processed within 7–30 working days. You will receive an SMS confirmation. The laminated smart card DL will be dispatched by Speed Post to your registered address.

Fee Structure (2026)

Vehicle Categories — Which One Should You Choose?

How to Track Your Application Status

1. 1Visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do and select your state.
2. 2Click 'Application Status' in the left menu on your state's Sarathi portal.
3. 3Enter your Application Number (from the payment receipt) or your Learner's Licence number.
4. 4Enter your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format and click 'Submit'.
5. 5The portal will display the current status: Pending Verification, Under Review, DL Issued, Dispatched, or Delivered.
6. 6If the status shows 'Dispatched', note the Speed Post tracking number displayed on screen. Track delivery at indiapost.gov.in under 'Track Consignment'.

Download Your Driving Licence via DigiLocker

Once your DL is issued and linked, you can access a digitally signed copy via DigiLocker. Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, this digital copy is legally valid at traffic checkpoints across all states. You do not need to carry the physical smart card if you have the DigiLocker version on your phone.

1. 1Open the DigiLocker app on your phone or visit digilocker.gov.in on a browser. Sign in using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
2. 2Tap or click 'Search Documents' and type 'Driving Licence' in the search box.
3. 3Select 'Driving Licence' issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
4. 4Enter your DL number (e.g. DL-0120110012345) and date of birth. Click 'Get Document'.
5. 5Your Driving Licence will appear under 'Issued Documents'. Tap the download icon to save a digitally signed PDF copy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ●Applying for MCWG or LMV before turning 18 — the system will reject the application automatically
• ●Uploading blurry, oversized, or wrong-format documents — use JPG or PDF only, each under 2 MB
• ●Not booking the LL test slot after paying — payment and slot booking are two separate steps on the portal
• ●Applying for Permanent DL before completing 30 days with the Learner's Licence
• ●Using an address that does not match your Aadhaar — this causes mismatch errors during verification
• ●Forgetting to carry original documents to the RTO on test day — originals are mandatory for verification even if you submitted scans online

Helpline & Support

For portal login issues, application status queries, or to find the contact details of your nearest RTO, use the official Parivahan Sewa helpdesk. Support is available on working days, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.