How to apply for a driving license

How to apply for a driving license

In India, two kinds of driving licenses are issued: learner's license and permanent license. Learner's license is valid only for six months.

In  India, a driving license is an official document that authorizes its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public have access.
A modern photo of the driving license can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts such as proof of identity (e.g. when opening a bank account) or proof of age (e.g. when applying for a mobile connection). Whoever wishes to drive a vehicle in India has to have a driving license!
In India, two kinds of driving licenses are issued: learner's license and permanent license. Learner's license is valid only for six months. A permanent license can be availed only after the expiry of one month from the date of issuance of the learner's license.
However, a permanent driving license cannot be received right away. There is a separate process for it.
An individual who wants to drive any type of motor vehicle in India has to get his/her learner's
license first. A learner's license is issued for learning. After a month of the issued learner's license, the person has to appear for the test in front of an RTO authority, who upon proper examination, will declare if he/she has passed the exam or not.

Documents required for driving license

To ensure that there is no delay in the application process, the documents that are to be submitted have to be valid and correct. The lists of documents required for a driving license are:

• Age Proof (any one of the below-given documents)
• Birth Certificate
• PAN Card
• Passport
• 10th Class mark sheet
• Transfer certificate from any school for any class with date of birth printed on it

Proof of address required for DL

Permanent proof of address (any one from the following):

• Passport
• Aadhaar Card
• Self-owned house agreement
• Electricity bill (issued in applicants name)
• LIC bond
• Voters ID Card
• Ration card

Current Proof of address (any one from the following):

• Rental agreement and electricity bill
• Rental agreement and LPG bill

Other Requirements for DL

• Duly filled application form (to get the application form for a driving license, visit the nearest RTO or download it from the online portal for your state)
• 6 passport sized photographs (when applying for Learners license)
• 1 passport sized photograph (when applying for driving license)
• Application fees: If you are staying in other cities, as current address proof, you can present the rental agreement with one recent utility bill copy which can be a gas bill or an electricity bill.
• Medical Certificate is mandatory for all applicants over the age of 40 years. Form 1 A and 1 is to be issued by a certified government doctor

How to apply for DL online

Applying for a driving license online is a simple process and involves only a few steps.
Go to the official Sarathi website of the Road Transport & Highways Ministry. From the column named "Sarathi Services," select "New Driving license."
You will be redirected to a new web page, which will have all the details about it. Read through the instructions. Download the form and fill all the required information.

Process to fill the DL application form online

The process for filling out an online application for a learner's license or driving license is as follows:

• Visit the Sarathi website and download the driving license application form
• Fill in the form as per the instructions provided on the screen and click on 'Submit'
• In the case of minor applicants, the form is to be printed out and Part D is to be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian at the nearest RTO
• Upload the documents to be submitted along with the application form (proof of age, proof of address, learner's license number)
• A Web Application Number will be generated after submission, which can be used to track the status of the application

• Once the application has been processed, a notification will be sent via SMS

How to apply for a DL in RTO or offline in India

The procedure to apply for a driving license in India is very simple and straightforward. The steps given below will help you understand how to apply for a driving license offline.

• The applicant has to obtain a Form 4 which is the application form for motor vehicle driving license in India. The form can be downloaded from the state transport website. Alternatively, the customer can also visit the nearest RTO to procure Form 4
• Completely fill the application form and submit it with other documents like age proof and address proof at the RTO in the jurisdiction in which you live. Also, schedule a slot for driving license test at the RTO and pay the fee for taking the test
• Be present at your driving license test center on the specified time and date. Once you clear the test, you're driving license will be awarded on the spot or will be sent to your registered address
• Also, if you are taking driving lessons from a driving school, the school will help you apply for a driving license

After completing the form, the applicant can submit it online by clicking on the 'Submit' button at the bottom of the form. After submitting the form, an auto-generated Web Application Number will appear on screen.
Take a note of the number for future reference in case you wish to check the status of the application.

Complete Guide: RTO Online Application For License

Driving license is an important document. The main importance of a driving license is that the holder is a trained driver who is officially permitted to drive a vehicle on Indian roads. It can be used as an identity proof wherever required.  In order to drive a vehicle, having a valid driving license is mandatory as per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

3 Types of Driving License

Driving License in India can be of 3 types depending upon the purpose of using a vehicle. The process of registration differs slightly for acquiring any of the following types of driving license:

1. Learner’s License

A Learner’s License is issued to a person who is willing to learn driving a vehicle. It is a temporary license valid for six months. Only after completing 30 days of training lessons, a person is allowed to apply for a driving license.

2. Driver’s License (Private)

A Driver’s License can be obtained by people who have successfully completed their training for driving a vehicle. It is mandatory to hold a Driver’s License if one wants to drive a vehicle in India. One cannot drive a commercial vehicle with a Private Driving License.

3. Driver’s License (Commercial)

Obtaining a driving license for commercial use is slightly more difficult than getting a Driving License (DL) for private use. The age limit is also 3 years more than DL for private use i.e. 21 years. Driving a commercial vehicle means taking responsibility for other individuals traveling in it. This is why it is necessary to carry a fitness certificate while driving a commercial vehicle.

How to File an RTO Application for Driving License Online

Before applying for a driving license, it is mandatory to have a valid learning license. Here is a complete step-by-step guide for filing an RTO application for Driving License Online:

Step #1 RTO Learner’s License Facility

Depending on your location, search for a website dedicated to your state’s RTO online. Navigate through the menu to find if your state allows an RTO online application for Learner’s License.

Step #2 Application for Learner’s License

To apply for a learner’s license, navigate to state’s website for RTO online. Fill the application form and book a slot for the online test. If you pass this test, you will receive the learning license. 30 days later, you can apply for a driving license.

Step #3 Driving License Application Form

The process of applying for a driving license is similar to the process of applying for a learning license. You can file an RTO online application to get a driving license. Go to the RTO website of your state and click on New Driving License. You will be redirected to fill the application form.

Step #4 Documents

After filling out the application form, you will be asked to upload the scanned soft copies of the following documents:

• Learning License
• Address Proof
• Age Proof
• Photograph
• Signature
• Documents relating to the type of vehicle to operate. This might be a motorcycle, personal vehicle or transport vehicle.
• Certificate from a recognized driving school

Step #5 Driving Test

Some Indian state’s RTO allows you to book an exam slot through their website. Try to choose the slot when you have enough time to prepare for the driving test. Keep your Aadhar card handy while booking the slot.
Important Notes
Carry all the documents in original and photocopies when you appear for the driving test. Photocopies should be self-attested. If you pass the test, you will be given a receipt which will act as your Driving License (DL) until the time you receive the permanent smart card. It should take no more than 30 days to reach your address via post. Visit the RTO if you had passed the test and yet not received the smart card within 30 days. Always carry your DL while driving/ride a vehicle.
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