How To Apply for a Driving License – Process, Types & Eligibility

Searching for information on how to obtain a driver’s license in India? Then, you are in the right place as you are going to get an exact step-by-step guide on it.

To apply, you certainly need to know how to drive & It is a good idea to apply for a driver’s license as soon as you reach the legal age of consent.

This article will guide you on how to apply online and offline for your driver’s license.    

Use our  Ontrack App to search for RTO vehicle Information and information on driving licenses.

Vehicle RC Status

Table of Content:
1. How to Apply for a Driving License
    a). Online Process
    b). Offline Process
2. Types of Driving Licenses in India
3. Eligibility
4. Documents Required
5. How to check the Status? 

How to apply for a driving license?

Online Process: 

You can apply for a driving license via an online government portal.

Follow the 12 easy steps to apply for the DL:

• Step 1: Visit “Parivahan Sewa” online. It is the official transport website of India. You can also view the status of your license later on from this website.
• Step 2: On the home screen, select “Online Services” 
• Step 3: Now, select “Driving Licence Related Services”. 
• Step 4: Select the location(state of India) that is applicable.
• Step 5: Next, you need to choose “Apply for Learner’s Licence (LL)”.
• Step 6: Apply with documents and required fees.
• Step 7: Give the exam on the assigned date to get the LL.
• Step 8: Wait for the given period on the learning license(30 days).
• Step 9: Visit the “Sarathi” online portal and apply for a Driving license.
• Step 10: You can fill out the application as you are an LL applicant.
• Step 11: Give the driving license test on the assigned date and get your receipt as proof.
• Step 12: Visit the zonal RTO to give the DL test.

The RTO officer checks and assesses your performance as you give your driving test. Once the test is over, you will be told to proceed to the other department to record the biometric data. 

Offline Process of Applying for a Driving License

• Step 1: Visit the Zonal RTO.
• Step 2: Get “Form 2” from the RTO office and fill it in detail.
• Step 2: After you have filled out the form completely, you can submit it at the office along with the required documents like identity proof, address proof, and age proof.
• Step 3: Choose a LL test slot.
• Step 4: Complete the test on the given date and the LL will be given to you after the test.
• Step 5: Next, you need to apply for the DL test by selecting  a slot as per the standard procedure.
• Step 6: Pay the given fee and get the receipt proof.
• Step 7: Go to the regional RTO to take the DL test.

Types of Driving Licenses in India:

Depending on the purpose and utility of the vehicle, driving licenses in India are generally categorized into three types.

To obtain any of these three types of driving licenses, the registration process and application differ.

1. Learning license: 

Once a person has completed a thirty-day training course, they become eligible to obtain a learner’s license. This is a temporary license valid for six months, approved temporarily. First and foremost, this license should be obtained by anyone who plans to learn to drive.

2. Driver’s Licence (Private):

One can get a driving license after completing a driver’s training program. The Indian Motor Tariff Act 2002 requires drivers to hold valid driving licenses.

3. Driver’s Licence (Commercial):

The responsibility of driving a commercial vehicle means taking additional responsibility for other passengers or goods. For this reason, obtaining a driving license for commercial use is slightly more complicated. A driving license here also has a higher age limit, which is three years more than a private license, i.e. 21 years. 

Eligibility to get a driving license in India:

The type of vehicle you choose to drive must be approved by you before you can drive it. An applicant must meet some eligibility criteria before the process can proceed. 

Things you need to know:

• Driving license applicant must have a learner’s license(valid).
• An applicant can only choose to apply for a driving license when 30 days are over after the learning license was issued(The given period may vary).
• Applicants must be above 16 years of age if they are applying for a two-wheeler driving license that exceeds the 50 cc limit.
• A commercial driving license can only be issued when the applicant is above 20 years of age.

Documents required for Driving License in India:

In India, you need to submit the following documents for driving license application:

Form 4	Application form for Driving License.
Address Proof	Some of the documents that can be submitted as address proof include a Passport, ration card, insurance policy, etc.
Age Proof	Allowed to submit documents like a school leaving or birth certificate.
Identity Proof	You can submit an Aadhar card as identity proof for your driving license application.

A physical fitness certificate and three recent passport-size photos are required. Also, if you are applying for a permanent driving license, then a copy of your learner’s license is required.

Driving License Status:

Here’s how to check your driving license online:

Check your driving license status in India on the transportation department’s official website or Parivahan’s website. Here are two methods to do it: 

Method 1:  

• Check out the website of the transport department.
• Choose ‘DL and LL registration’.
• Enter your application number.
• Done! Your DL application status can now be viewed.

Method 2:

• You have to visit the Parivahan website.
• Then select ‘Online Services’ followed by ‘Services related to driving licenses’.
• Select the option- “ View DL status online”.
• Choose the respective state of the country.
• Applicant’s date of birth and application no. must be given.
• Now you can view the DL status easily on the screen.

A valid driver’s license is not the only thing you need to drive legally, you also need a valid vehicle insurance policy. It is mandatory for all motorists, whether they operate private or commercial vehicles, to have third-party insurance.  

With OnTrack, you get to experience a smooth and swift issuance of insurance along with an easy claiming process. 

Get secured from the hefty expenses due to violation of traffic rules and also from the damage that can be caused to your valuable bike/car.