Getting your driver’s license is the first step to start legally driving your car. We have already gone through the types of driving licenses in India to give you an idea of the different driving licenses available in the country. In this article, we provide a detailed guide on how to apply for a driving license and the driving test you must pass before getting your license.

How to Apply for a Driver’s License in India?

Just learning how to drive doesn’t make you road-legal. You have to have a license if you want to drive. This is very important as driving involves many critical aspects like road rules, understanding of signs and symbols, and most importantly, the safety of oneself and other drivers.

So, now that you know how to drive let us guide you through the process of applying for a license.

Step One – Apply for a Learning License

A permanent driving license isn’t given directly, you get a learner’s license first. This is done to give you time to brush up on your driving skills and road knowledge. To get a learner’s license you should be 18* years of age or older, and should be literate and physically fit. To apply for a Learner’s License visit this portal https://drivinglicenceapply.in/learning-licence.php

For driving a non-geared motorcycle up to 50cc the age requirement is 16 years and the applicant should have their parents’ consent.

On the portal you will have to:

• Select your state

• Select the learning license option

• Fill in the form

• Upload the documents that are required

• Pay the fees

• Verify the payment status

• Get a printout of the receipt

• Book a learning license test slot

• Clear the written test

• Get your Learning License

Step Two – Apply for a Permanent Driving License

The Learning License is valid for 6 months pan India from the date of issue. During this period you can brush up your driving skills or apply for a permanent driving license after a month.

To apply for a driving license the below given procedure applies.

Go to the portal

Select your state

Select the Driving License option

Fill in the application

Upload the documents

Book a slot for a driving test

Pay the fees

Verify the payment status

Get a printout of the receipt

Clear the driving test

Receive your Permanent Driving license via speed post

If you fail your driving test, you can apply again after seven days.

You can apply for a Commercial Driving license once you have a permanent driving license. The criteria for a Commercial Driving License is different from that of a permanent driving license. The applicant has to be at least 18 to 20 years of age, be an 8th class pass out, and have a certificate that shows they have learned driving from a government-certified driving school. Since driving transport vehicles requires a lot of skill, these licenses are renewed every 3 years. Wherein the applicant goes through the whole process again.

Which Driver’s License to Apply?

There are 4 types of driving licenses in India:

Learning License

Permanent Driving License

Commercial Driving License

International Driving Permit

Learning License: You cannot apply for a permanent or a commercial license directly. In both cases, you will have to apply for a learner’s license. This is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and you can either apply for a permanent license 30 days after the validity expires or after a month of its issuance.

Permanent Driving License: Apply for this license if you want to drive for personal purposes like taking kids to school, going for a ride, shopping, etc. 

Please note that you can ferry passengers in your vehicle with your permanent driving license. However, the vehicle should have a commercial number plate. The permanent driving license is the most commonly used as it caters to a variety of needs. It is valid for 20 years or till the age of 50 years, whichever is earlier.

Commercial Driving License: Apply for this license if you want to transport goods or a large number of passengers. A commercial license gives you the liberty to transport goods via a Light Goods Vehicle (LGV), Medium Goods Vehicle (MGV) or Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) or ferry passengers via a Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle(HPMV). This license is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance.

International Driving Permit: If you want to drive in foreign lands or abroad apply for this permit. The International Driving Permit allows you to drive a vehicle in a foreign land. This document is printed in many languages for the authorities to understand that you can drive in their land. The permit is valid for one year, it cannot be renewed, and one has to reapply to get it again.

How to apply for a Duplicate Driver’s License

If your driving license gets lost or stolen you can apply for a duplicate driving license. Given below is the process of applying for a duplicate driving license.

• Go to https://drivinglicenceapply.in/ and select your state

• Select the duplicate driving license option

• Fill the form

• Upload the documents

• Pay the fee

• Verify the payment status

• Get the receipt

• Your Duplicate Driving License will reach your home via speed post

You don’t have to appear for a driving test in case of a duplicate driving license.

Summary

A driver’s license is one of the most significant milestones for every new driver. It gives you the license to drive on Indian roads and enjoy the freedom of the road at your own pace. The process to get a driver’s license in India is simple, involving getting a learner’s license first before becoming eligible for a permanent driving license. Once you pass your driving test at the RTO or a registered driving school, you will receive your driving license and become road-legal.

FAQs about How to Apply for a Driver’s License in India – Everything you need to know

How can I apply for a Driving License?

To apply for a driving license test, you will first have to acquire a Learner Driver’s License. You can apply for this on the Sarathi portal. Once you have learned how to drive, you can apply for a permanent Driver’s License on the Sarathi portal. You will be required to complete a driving test to test your driving ability and to confirm your driver’s license.

Q. Can I apply for a driving license offline?

A. Yes, of course. You can apply for any license offline as well if you don’t mind the queues. The process is the same as online. You will have to visit your local RTO, fill in the form, produce hard copies of documents, pay the fees, attend the test, and receive your learner license or receipt in case of a permanent driving license.

Q. What test is there for a Commercial Driving License?

A. There is only one test for the commercial driver's license and that is going forward and reverse on a track. The vehicle should not touch the line under any circumstances. This is done as the driver has already learned his skills from a government-certified motor training school which in itself certifies the driver’s ability.

Q. Is there any test for an International Driving Permit?

A. No. Your Permanent Driving License is proof enough to show that you are skilled in driving. An International Driving Permit conveys this to the authorities in foreign land.