Steps to Apply for Driving Licence Online

People love to ride a bike or drive a car. NULL likes being dependent on another individual or public commute while traveling. Although cabs and public transport have improved dramatically in the last decade, people prefer owning a commute for convenience. Even though learning how to drive is the first step to get a vehicle, applying for a driving licence is an essential step if you have decided to drive on the roads, since it is mandatory to have a driving licence if you're driving on Indian roads.

The Motor Vehicles Act in 1988 declares that no person will be permitted to drive a motor vehicle in a public place without a valid driving licence. It is a punishable offense to drive a vehicle on the roads without having a driving licence. So, if you have perpetually avoided to the Regional Transport Office (RTO)  because you think it is time-consuming or are not sure how you can apply for a driving licence in your city, read on.

Application for Driving Licence Services

Applying for a driving licence is a straight forward procedure. Unlike many years ago, people can now visit the official website of driving licence in India and apply for a driving licence in a matter of a few seconds. People aren't required to stand in long queues to submitting their driving licence application anymore.

• Enter the Date of Birth of the applicant and driving licence Number and Date of Birth in the respective fields and click on ‘Go.’

• After clicking on ‘Go,’ the website will fill the ‘Last Endorsed Details.’

• In the section named ‘Submit Request to’, you'll be required to select the state and RTO from the drop-down menu of the RTO and Apply to State sections.

• To go to the next step, click on ‘Proceed.’

• Procedure to submit your application for driving licence online.

How to Search Your Application Number

To get the details of the applicant, you'll be required to do the following:

• Choose the state from which you belong from the ‘Select State Name’ drop-down menu.

• After doing that, you'll get an option to choose the RTO.

• Select the RTO name from the drop-down menu under ‘RTO Name.’

• Enter your date of birth and complete name.

• Enter the captcha code and then click on Submit.

Documents Required to be Submitted for Driving Licence (DL)

The following documents must be presented along with the application form for a driving Licence(Form 9):

For Learner's Licence.

Address Proof

Anyone of the documents can be submitted as an address proof.

• Ration Card

• Passport

• Voter ID Card

• Life Insurance Policy

• Any utility bills

• Pay slip issued by a state or central government

Age Proof

Anyone of the documents can be submitted as an age proof

• Pan Card

• Matriculation Certificate from High School

• Voter ID Card

• Birth certificate

• Driving school certificate

• Passport

• Any document pertaining to the vehicle to be used for the driving test

• Passport-sized photograph

Why Should You Apply for Driving Licence (DL) Online?

It is typical to apply for your Driving Licence online since it is more convenient and usually takes lesser time than going through the process manually. You can easily download the application form for the licence form and furnish it with all the required documents after filling up the form. After the process is conveyed smoothly, you need to appear for a written test and interview and clear it to acquire the licence successfully.

You must note that the online registration for Learner's licence is made available only for transports which are used for personal and not commercial purposes. In an online application form, the applicant can apply for a Learner's licence under more than one category of vehicles. The preliminary test is standard for all the vehicles irrespective of the vehicle category.

While applying for a Driving Licence, applicants are required to first apply for Learner's Licence. The applicant must meet the following conditions to be able to apply for a Learner's Licence:

• The applicant must be above the age of 16 years for two wheeler licence and 18 years for four-wheeler licence.

• Learner's Licence owners could apply for a driving licence 30 days after the Learner's licence has been issued.

• Learner's licence owners must apply for a driving licence within 180 days of issue of their Learner's Licence.

How to apply for Learner's Licence through Online Mode?

Applicants who want to apply for a Learner's Licence are not required to wait in long queues at the RTO; they can fill out the form and submit the application online. With the introduction of the online application for Learner's Licence, applicants can easily fill out the form and submit it as well as register for their driving test appointment, from the convenience of their home. Furthermore, one can submit an online appointment for the driving licence.

Documents That Are Required to Be Submitted for Applying for Learner's Licence

The following documents must be uploaded online along with the application form:

• Passport-sized photographs
• Medical certificate (form 1-A)
• Physical Fitness Declaration (form 1)
• Proof of address: You can submit any one of the following documents as a proof of address.
  • Passport
  • Voter's identity card
  • Ration card
  • Life Insurance policy
  • Affidavit testified before a Public Notary or a Judicial Magistrate
• Proof of age: You can submit any of the following documents as proof of age.
  • Voter's identity card
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate
  • School matriculation certificate
  • An affidavit that is sworn before a Magistrate or Public Notary
  • Life insurance policy

How to Book a Test Slot for Learner's Licence?

Booking a test slot for a learner's licence can be online through the Sarathi website. Applicants whose application forms have been concocted will be receiving a notification concerning the same. After this, they can conveniently book a test slot on the official website.

Applicants from the below-mentioned states can't book a slot for their Learner's Licence tests by the Sarathi website:

• Andhra Pradesh

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Chhattisgarh

• Bihar

• Delhi

• Goa

• Lakshadweep

• Madhya Pradesh

• Haryana

• Sikkim

• Tamil Nadu

• Tripura

• Jharkhand

• Kerala

• Manipur

• Meghalaya

Applicants from these states and Union Territories are required to visit the official site of the Regional Transport Authority(RTA) in their state and book a slot.

Applicants from other states are required to follow the procedure mentioned below:

• Visit  Sarathi website.

• Click on the Online Slot Booking on the homepage option under the Sarathi Services column.

• Click on 'LL Slot Booking' and select Test for Online Applications.

• Enter the Application Number generated online and the date of birth (in dd/mm/yyyy).

• The calendar with all the available slots will open in a fresh tab. Select the date and check the availability before validating the appointment.

• Click on 'Confirm,' after which acknowledgment will be illustrated on the screen.

• The applicant must be physically present at the test center in the appointed time with the original version of documents and the acknowledgment papers.

Fees for Driving Licence and Learner's Licence

You can either pay the fee through online mode or SBI challan. The fees for the various categories of vehicles of the licence are given below:

Type of Licence	Fee (in Rupees)	*Revised Fee – January - 2018
Learner’s Licence	Rs. 30 - Rs. 75 per licence	Rs.150.00
Driving Licence	Rs.40.00	Rs.200.00
Driving licence for a commercial vehicle	Rs.250.00	Rs.600.00
International Driving Licence fee	Rs.500.00	Rs.1,000.00
DL Renewal Fee	Rs.50.00	Rs.200.00
LL Renewal Fee	Rs.40.00	Rs.200.00

Difference Between Learner's Licence (LL) and Driving Licence (DL)

There are two types of Driving Licences which have been issued. These are called as Learner's Licence and Permanent Driving Licence. The validity of Learner's Licence is only for six months, and it is presented to people who want to start learning how to drive or ride a vehicle. A person can obtain a permanent driving licence after passing the written and practical exams, and after a month of issuance of the basic learner's licence. Thus, an individual can apply for a driving licence after acquiring a learner's licence. There must be a gap of one month between the application for learners and permanent driving licence.

Do's for applying for a Driving Licence

• Check the form after filling it in for errors or omissions.

• Carry the original documents when you visit the RTA for your driving test.

• Remember that a Learner's Licence(LL) is valid only for six months.

Don'ts for Applying for a Driving Licence

• Submit false documents with your application since you could be liable for penal action will be liable for legal action.

• Forget to add a copy of your Learner's Licence while applying for a Driving Licence.

• Drive or ride (even while practicing) without a valid learner's licence or necessary documentation with you.

• For the holders of Learner's Licence, don't ride or drive without the presence of a permanent licence holder present. If you're caught driving/riding alone, it could preclude you from getting a permanent Driving Licence.

FAQs on DL/LL

What is the validity period of a Learner's Licence?

Learner's Licence(LL) is valid only for six months from the issue date.

If a Learner's Licence ID issued in Delhi, is it valid across India?

Yes, a Learner's Licence(LL) issued in any state/regions valid across the country for six months. However, the holder has to be accompanied by a permanent licence holder while driving at all times.

How can I make the payment for my Driving Licence(DL)?

If you stay in Uttar Pradesh(UP), you can make the payment for your Driving Licence(DL) through the official Sarathi website. For aspirants from other states, you will be required to pay the fee at the RTO while taking your driving test.

What are the necessary documents that are required to be submitted concerning my four wheeler Driving licence?

You would be required to submit the following documents concerning your four-wheeler while applying for a driving licence:

• Car insurance proof

• Registration certificate

• Tax payment proof

• Fitness certificate (for transport vehicles)

Is a medical certificate mandatory while applying for a licence?

If you are applying for Learner's Licence, it is obligatory to submit the medical certificate when they fill out the application form.

However, if you are applying for a Driving Licence, medical certificate it is not compulsory unless you are above 50 years of age.

Additional, if you are applying for a Driving Licence for a commercial or transport vehicle, it is compulsory.