Apply for a Driving Licence in 2024

As digitalization is growing due to the Digital Abhiyan, you no longer have to visit your Regional Transport Authority (RTA) or the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to get a driving license. The application has been made simple through the online process.

Statistics show that every year, more than 1.15 crore driving licenses are issued across the country, including fresh and renewed DL.

If you are looking to apply for a new driving licence, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will cover all the general information you need to apply for one, along with things to keep in mind for the overall application process.

If you own and drive a vehicle in India, it is mandatory by law that you procure a driving licence. This is a process that has multiple steps:

1. First, you have to acquire a learner’s permit while you practice driving your two or four-wheeler vehicle.
2. Within a limited time of getting your learner’s permit, you have to appear for a driving test with an RTO authority in charge. The authority will test your driving skills and decide whether to give you a licence. Before this, you have to place an online licence application.

Everything can be done online these days with just a click of a button. Don’t worry about long queues and wait times at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) or the Regional Transport Office (RTO) when you have government websites through which you can submit your online licence application.

What type of driver’s licence are you looking for?

Learner’s permit:

This permit is an important first step in the process of acquiring a new driving licence. To make sure that the roads are safe from those who aren’t yet 18 driving without proper authorisation, the learner’s permit is an official document that gives those learning how to drive permission on Indian roads. It is valid for up to 6 months and can be extended if needed. In these 6 months, the applicant is expected to become ready to appear for the driving test.

Permanent driving licence:

This licence is what you are eligible to receive after the learner’s permit, once you pass all the tests at the RTO. They will test you on standardized driving methods and rate your ability to hold your own on Indian roads. Only those above 18 years of age are eligible for this online licence application.

Commercial driving licence:

This is a permanent driving licence for those who drive heavy-duty vehicles used for business purposes, like delivery vans. They are usually expected to be 18 and above, though some states have a higher age limit. They also have educational requirements and training to complete in order to be eligible.

Documents Required for a New Driving Licence

1. Address proof: You can submit any valid ID proof for this, including the ration card, voter ID card, Aadhar card, PAN, etc. If you live in a temporary residence that does not have any corresponding address ID proof, you can submit a rental agreement along with your ID.
2. Age proof: You need to prove that you are over 18 years old to qualify for a driving licence apply. You can submit your birth certificate or your Class 10 mark sheet for this.
3. Passport size photograph: You might need up to 6 passport photos for the application, so check before you apply.
4. Medical certificate: People aged 40 years or older also have to submit the medical and fitness certificate, i.e., Form 1 and 1A.

Driving licence: apply online now

• Visit the official website, Sarathi, of the Road Transport & Highways Ministry.
• Choose your state and select the type of license you wish to apply to (Permanent or Learners).
• Fill in your basic details.
• Upload all the required documents.
• Some States also ask you to upload your signature, along with the mandatory passport photo.
• You can book your slot for the DL test in some states. However, others require you to visit the RTO office before test date selection.
• Pay the required application fee.
• Verify the payment status and print the receipt.

Here are some points to remember before applying for a driving licence in the below-listed cities: