Although the services of cabs and coverage of public transport have improved significantly over the last few years, there are still many reasons to own a car. Apart from offering you the flexibility of going anywhere at any time, having your car gives you a sense of freedom. To be able to drive a car by yourself, you need to learn how to drive and then obtain a driving license. No matter how much experience you claim to have over driving, you are legally not allowed to drive without a driving license. Earlier it was a big hassle to visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO) several times to get your driving license. Now, with the rapid progress of technology and the push from Government for e-governance, you can apply for a driving license online.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been facilitating computerization of more than 1000 Road Transport Offices (RTOs) across the country. RTOs issue Registration Certificate (RC) & Driving License (DL) that are valid across the country. It was necessary to define same standards for these documents on a pan-India level to ensure interoperability and correctness and timely availability of information. SCOSTA committee setup for this purpose had recommended a uniform standardized software across the country. Ministry entrusted National Informatics Centre the task to standardize & deploy the software VAHAN for Vehicle Registration and SARATHI for Driving Licenses and compilation of data with respect to Vehicle Registration and Driving Licenses of all the states in State Register and National Register. The VAHAN & SARATHI are conceptualized to capture the functionalities as mandated by Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 as well as State motor vehicle Rules with customization in the core product to suit the requirements of 36 States.
1. Why you should you apply for a driving license online
There are two options available to you when applying for a driving license. You can opt to apply in person through your regional transport office or can do so through the online portal. There are various advantages to avail when you consider driving license online apply.
- There is no need to visit the RTO numerous times.
- You can save a lot of time and money.
- No chance of falling victim to touts.
- You can track the driving license status online
- You have access to the latest road safety laws and regulations
Applying for a driving license online is possible for a learner’s license, new driving license and for driving license renewal.
2. How to apply for a driving license Online
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways now allows you the facility of applying for driving license online. The process is very simple and straightforward. Here are all the steps that you need to take to apply for driving license online: –
- Log-on to the Sarathi website at https://parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice8/sarathiHomePublic.do.
- Towards the left of your screen, you will see an option titled “Driving License”. Click on it.
- Now you need to select the option “Apply Online”. This will open a drop-down menu, from which you need to select the option “New Driving License”.
- This will take you to a new page where you can read all information about the process of submitting your driving license application online. Once you have read the instructions carefully, click on the “Continue” button.
- You will now be asked to select the type of license you hold, i.e. learner’s License, Defence License or a Foreign Driving License.
- Select the appropriate option and click on “Proceed.”
- Depending on the option selected above, you now need to provide the number of the respective license that you are holding along with our date of birth.
- Fill in all the information and click on “OK”.
- Now you need to fill in all your personal information as required on the screen.
- Enter the information accurately.
- Now, you need to upload the scanned copies of your documents including address proof, age proof and residence proof.
- Thereafter, you will need to upload the scanned copies of your passport size photograph and signature. The size and dimensions of the scanned documents must be as per the instructions on the website.
- Now, you will be asked to choose the time for your driving license appointment at your respective RTO.
- Select the date and time of the appointment as per your convenience.
- Thereafter, you need to make the payment for the driving license to submit your form successfully. Once you have made the payment, the application would be forwarded to your RTO.
- Keep a printout of the acknowledgement slip and payment receipt with you. Make a note of your web application number. This will help with checking your driving license status later on.
- Make sure you reach the RTO on the given date as per the described time and take all your original documents with you.
These are all the steps involved in applying for a new driving license online. At the RTO you will have to meet the concerned person who will be taking the driving test. Make sure you take your vehicle along with you when you are going for the test. Follow all the instructions of the instructor and perform all the tasks as required by him. Once you successfully clear the driving test, he/she will forward your application for further processing.
3. Checking your driving license application status
Once you have cleared the driving test and have submitted the application form successfully, you can check driving license application progress online. Here are the steps that you need to follow to check your driving license status online: –
- Log on to the official website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways https://parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice8/sarathiHomePublic.do.
- Click on the link “Apply Online”.
- From the drop-down menu select the option “Application Status.”
- On the next page enter your Application number and date of birth and click on the “Submit” button.
- You can now see the progress of your application online. It will also tell you if you need to take any steps from your side.
You can avail other services such as driving license renewal, replacement of driving license, change of name in driving license etc. online as well. The steps you need to take are: –
- Log on to the official website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways https://parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice8/sarathiHomePublic.do.
- Click on the link “Apply Online”.
- From the drop-down menu select the option “Services on driving license”.
- On the next page, click continue.
- Now enter all the details as required on the screen and click on the “Go” button.
- Select the services you want to avail and select the state and RTO where you want to apply.
- Click on “Submit Request” button and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
The online services offered concerning driving license have made the entire process of obtaining a new driving license or driving license renewal an effortless task. You need to follow the steps mentioned herein to enjoy these facilities.
5. How many types of Driving Licenses are there ?
There are several types of driving licences that you can obtain in India. These include:
• A general driving licence.
• A licence for a motorcycle with gear.
• A licence for a motorcycle without gear.
• A licence for transport and commercial vehicles.
Determining your driving licence eligibility can be confusing, as each licence type comes with its own set of requirements. For instance, applicants who require a licence for motorcycles without gear must be at least 16 years of age and have parental or guardian consent, if applying as a minor. Meanwhile, a licence for operating motorcycles with gear has a higher age requirement. In addition to age, there are also learning licence eligibility requirements. This means that those seeking permanent licences must hold a learner’s licence for a certain period of time before applying for the next level. They must also meet the examination eligibility requirements. Furthermore, some licences have educational requirements that must be met by applicants.
Our comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide details all eligibility requirements for every type of licence. It also features a checklist of the documents you will need to obtain a licence and the steps you must follow.
6. What is Learner's License and what documents required for Learner's License ?
Learner’s Licence is a temporary licence valid upto 6 month only. It is issued to learn driving of Motor Vehicles. The provision of sub-section (1) of section 3 shall not apply to a person while receiving instructions or gaining experience in driving with the object of presenting himself for a test of competence to drive a motor vehicle. There is painted in the front and the rear of the vehicle or on a plate or card affixed to the front and the rear, the letter “L” in red on a white background.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR LEARNER’S LICENCE:-The following documents along with Learner’s Licence Form, are required for obtaining of a Learners’ Licence.
(i) Application- cum - Declaration as to physical fitness, Form-1
(ii) Two copies of applicant’s recent passport size photograph.
(iii) Valid Form-1A (for transport vehicle license and for applicants above 40 years of age in case of other categories)
(iv) Application for grant of learner’s license Form – 2
(v) Self-Attested copy of proof of residence
(vi) Self-Attested copy of proof of age
(vii) Self-Attested copy of proof of Educational Qualification- minimum 8th standard Pass (for transport vehicle’s license)
(viii) Copy of effective light motor vehicle driving license, already held for at least one year (in case of transport vehicle learner’s license) and completed the age of 20 years on the date of application.
(ix) Prescribed fee.
7. Who are eligible for a Learner's License ?
Section 4 provides that a person who has completed sixteen years of age may obtain a driving licence to drive a motorcycle without gear whose engine capacity does not exceed 50 cc with the consent of parent/guardian of the applicant.
To drive a motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, the person must have completed eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application.
8. What is the fees or charges for Learner's License ?
FEE FOR LEARNER’S LICENCE: - The Appropriate Fee as specified in rule 32 of CMVR, 1989 is-
S. NO
| TYPE OF DL
| DESCRIPTION
(RS.)
| REVISED FEE (RS.)
|
|---|
1
| Learner's Licences for each class of vehicle (1+2+3 of table in Rule - 32 of CMVR)
| 1 . For one category (150+50+300)
2. For two categories (300+50+600)
3. For three categories
(450+50+900)
| 500
950
1400
|
2
| Learner's Licence retest
| 50
| 50
|
9. What are the CRITERIA /PROCEDUREs TO ISSUE A LEaRNER’S LICENCE ?
After verification of the documents applicant will have to go through a learner test. Before learner test, color blindness inspection and movements of limbs is carried out. A computer based multiple choice objective test is conducted and whoever correctly answers sixty percent questions put to him is declared pass.
A question bank about the contents of learner's test like Road signs, Traffic rules & regulations for the learners licence is provided on the website of the department.
The learner licence is issued to the applicant on the same day. The Learner’s Licence is valid for a period of six months from the date of issue.
LEARNER’S LICENCE FOR E-RICKSHAW/E-CART
TEST FOR E-RICKSHAWS/E-CART DRIVERS:-An oral based preliminary test in place of computerized test is conducted by putting objective type questions on the matters referred in Rule-11 of CMVR to the E-rickshaw learner’s licences.
DOCUMENTS FOR E-CART: - The following documents are required.
1. Application-cum-declaration as to physical fitness Form-1
2. Medical certificate in Form-1A.
3. Application for grant of Learner’’ Licence in Form-2
4. Self-Attested Proof of residence
5. Self-Attested Proof of age
6. Appropriate fee as specified in Rule-32 of CMVR, 1989.
PROCEDURE:- The applicant shall apply to the licensing authority in whose jurisdiction he/she resides, applicant must have completed 20 years of age.