How to Apply for Driving Licence, LL Online Test & DL Renewal in India: Parivahan Sarathi Guide
By Shivam Tiwari, Founder of FormSutra · Updated: September 2026 · 8 min read
Complete statutory procedure under Motor Vehicles Act 2019 for faceless Learner's Licence (LL) test from home, booking permanent DL track driving tests, Medical Certificate Form 1A rules, and renewal within 1 year.
Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, driving any motor vehicle on Indian roads without a valid driving licence is punishable with a fine of up to ₹5,000 or imprisonment. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has transitioned citizen services to the faceless Sarathi Parivahan portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in). This guide covers applying for a Learner's Licence from home via Aadhaar authentication, booking permanent DL track tests, Medical Form 1A compliance, and licence renewal.
Quick facts
| Governing Statute | Motor Vehicles Act 1988 / 2019 Amendment & Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 |
|---|---|
| Competent Authority | Regional Transport Office (RTO) / MoRTH via Sarathi Parivahan |
| Government Fees | ₹150–₹200 (Learner's Licence) + ₹200 (Driving Test) + ₹200 (Smart Card DL) |
| Learner's Licence Validity | 6 Months (Permanent DL application eligible after 30 days) |
| Renewal Grace Period | Can be renewed 1 year before expiry up to 1 year after expiry without re-test |
Step-by-step process
Apply for Learner's Licence (LL) via Faceless Aadhaar Authentication
Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your State. Click 'Apply for Learner Licence'. Choose 'Submit via Aadhaar Authentication' for contactless, faceless processing. Your photograph, demographic details, and address are automatically validated from UIDAI. Select vehicle classes: Motorcycle with Gear (MCWG) and/or Light Motor Vehicle (LMV - Car).
Take the Online LL Computer Test from Home
Watch the mandatory Road Safety Tutorial video on the portal. You will receive an SMS with your LL Application Number and Test Password. Take the 15-question computer test (traffic signs, driving regulations, and road etiquette) from home on a webcam-enabled computer. Scoring 60% (9 out of 15) instantly approves your Learner's Licence for immediate PDF download.
Mandatory 30-Day Waiting Period and Permanent DL Slot Booking
Under Rule 15 of CMV Rules, you must hold a valid Learner's Licence for at least 30 days before taking the permanent driving test. Between day 31 and month 6, log in to Sarathi, click 'Apply for Driving Licence', select your RTO automated test track, and book an available morning/afternoon appointment slot.
Clear Automated Driving Test Track Inspection
Arrive at the RTO Automated Driving Test Track (ADTT) with the vehicle matching your applied category (with valid insurance, PUC, and registration). Complete the automated computer-sensor tracks: • Two-Wheeler: Figure '8' navigation without placing feet on the ground. • Four-Wheeler (Car): Gradient (hill-stop without rolling backwards), Parallel Parking, Reverse 'S' track, and forward '8' track.
Biometric Granting and Dispatch of Smart Card Driving Licence
Upon passing the automated sensor track, the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) approves your application digitally. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) queues your chip-embedded Smart Card Driving Licence for printing, dispatched to your Aadhaar address via Speed Post, and simultaneously reflected in your DigiLocker and mParivahan apps.
Documents checklist (आवश्यक दस्तावेज)
- Aadhaar Card (linked to active mobile number for facial e-KYC authentication)
- Medical Certificate Form 1A signed by a registered MBBS government doctor (mandatory for commercial DL and applicants above 40 years)
- Self-Declaration of Physical Fitness (Form 1 submitted online)
- Valid Learner's Licence PDF printout
- Driving School Certificate (Form 5) if applying for commercial transport category
- For Permanent Test: Vehicle with valid RC, Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate, and Comprehensive Insurance policy
- For Driving Licence Renewal: Original expired Driving Licence and Medical Certificate Form 1A
Stamp paper rules
RTO services do not require stamp paper affidavits for standard licences or renewals. Affidavits on a ₹10 or ₹50 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper are only required when applying for a Duplicate Driving Licence due to loss/theft (accompanied by an online police lost-article report), or for a significant legal name change.
Official portals
- Sarathi Parivahan Citizen Services Portal
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- DigiLocker Digital Driving Licence Portal
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting Learner's Licence expire beyond 6 months: If the 6-month validity lapses without appearing for the driving test, you must restart the entire process and pay the fees again.
- Letting expired Driving Licence exceed 1 year: Under the amended Motor Vehicles Act, if you renew your DL more than 1 year after its expiry, you are legally obligated to retake the full practical driving test at the RTO.
- Vehicle without valid PUC/Insurance on test day: The RTO test inspector will immediately cancel your test slot if the car/bike brought for the test lacks a valid pollution certificate or third-party insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is a digital Driving Licence on DigiLocker legally valid during police checks?
Yes. Under Rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and MoRTH advisory notifications, digital driving licences and vehicle RCs presented via the official DigiLocker or mParivahan mobile applications have equal legal validity to physical cards, and traffic police cannot penalize you for not carrying the physical card.
What is the fee for renewing an expired driving licence?
The standard renewal fee is ₹200. However, if renewed after the 30-day grace period following expiry, an additional statutory penalty of ₹1,000 per year of delay is levied under the Motor Vehicles Act.