How to Obtain Driving Licence in Maharashtra?

Maharashtra registers the highest number of deaths due to horrific accidents as compared to the other states in the country. Since the country is witnessing a high growth rate of vehicles and extensive urbanization since the last few years, the road safety levels have taken a major hit. Most often than not, it is the young population of the country that becomes a victim of these horrific road accidents hence causing substantial loss of life and productivity for the nation. To reduce the number of road accidents in the country, the government made rules for acquiring a DL in this country more stringent.

A license not only lets people drive on the public roads, but it also acts as an address and identification proof.

Types of Driving License in Maharashtra

Maharashtra State Government issues two types of Driving Licenses:

Learner's License

An applicant has to acquire the Learner's License before applying for a Driving License. Learner's License has a validity of six months and after it expires the individual must either get it renewed or apply for a permanent DL

Permanent License

After a month of receiving the LL, the applicant can apply for a DL. It must be noted that the applicant in no circumstances can apply for a Permanent DL before a month of owning the LL.

Applicants who wish to make a driving license application in Maharashtra can opt for one or more type of vehicle they want. Maharashtra offers a driving license for a range of vehicle types, as specified below:

Light Motor Transport Vehicles

This license is given out to people who drive transport and commercial goods carriers, this section is further classified into Light Motor Vehicle (Passenger) like cabs, jeeps, delivery vans and auto rickshaws.

LMV-NT: Light Motor Vehicle Non-Transport

This includes vehicles that are privately owned by individuals like SUVs, Hatchbacks, etc.

Medium Goods Vehicle

This category consists of vehicles such as trucks, tempos and other goods transport vehicles.

Medium Passenger Vehicle

This class of vehicles includes transport such as minivans, tempos and larger commercial vehicles

Heavy Goods Vehicle

This category of transport includes vehicles like trucks and large vans, that are meant to transport goods.

Eligibility Criteria for Acquiring a Permanent License

• An applicant who is 18-20 years old can apply for a permanent license to drive a vehicle under the non-transport category.
• If the applicant needs DL for a transport vehicle, he/she should be at least 20 years old and an experience of driving non-transport vehicle for at least a year.
• New applicants will need to take the computer-based learner’s test at the assigned centers. the questions asked are based on various traffic rules, regulations and guidelines.
• After passing the test, the applicant will be eligible to get a learner’s license, which is valid for six months. For acquiring a permanent permit, the driving test can be taken up a month after acquiring the DL. The test has two phases. In the first phase, the driver's ability to control the vehicle is tested in the second part the applicant's driving skills are tested.

Booking Appointment for Driving License Test

After submitting the application form and getting a notification linked with your eligibility to take the test, you can book an appointment online.

This allows you to choose the test slot which is convenient for you. The procedure for booking a test slot online is given below:

• Visit the official website of Sarathi and select Appointment for slot booking on the homepage.
• Select the DL slot booking option.
• Fill in all the required details.
• After that, you can select the slot which is convenient for you.

Driving Test

• After you have selected the test slots, you will be required to be present in the RTO with the required documents.
• If you pass the test successfully, you will be issued with a Driving License, which will be sent by post to the address mentioned in the application form.

Documents to be Submitted for Driving License Application in Maharashtra

While applying for a DL in Maharashtra, the applicants are required to provide some documents if they are eligible for acquiring a DL. The documents which must be submitted are given below:

• Form 4
• Original Learner's License
• Three recent passports sized photographs
• Age Proof
• Address Proof
• Driving School Certificate
• The documents related to the vehicle that is being used for the Driving Test

Proof of Age Documents

The applicant may submit any of these documents as the proof of age:

• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Voter ID Card
• PAN
• Aadhar
• Any other document issued by the state

Proof of Address Documents

The applicant may submit any of these documents as the proof of address:

• Voter ID
• Passport
• Life Insurance Policy
• Utility Bills
• Voter’s Identity Card
• Ration card
• Passport
• Life Insurance Policy

Driving License Application Fee

People who apply for a DL in Maharashtra need to pay an application fee of 200. Additionally, they need to pay 50 rupees for the driving test. The applicant needs to pay an amount of 20 rupees for an ordinary license.

How to Check Status of Driving License in Maharashtra Online?

• Applicants may check the status of their application through the Sarathi Website.
• Click on Status of Application which is under the National Registry Services column.
• Enter the application details.
• Your application status will be displayed on the screen.

How to Check Status of Driving License in Maharashtra Offline?

• You can check the status of your DL offline by visiting the nearest RTO.
• In the next step, you will be required to provide information such as the application number, learner's license number, etc.
• You will have to provide information such as your Application number, Learner’s License number, etc.

Driving Test Procedure in Maharashtra

Driving Test for Heavy Vehicle

Until 2014, acquiring a license for heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, and lorries wasn't very difficult since the tests conducted were very relaxed. But, rules have become much more stringent and more structured these days. Applicants are required to be tested well on a track specially designed for large vehicles. Till now, the RTOs of most of the states have kept these rules intact. But, there are many places across the country where the license can be procured much easily. More stringent tests mean that only people with excellent skills can operate the heavy vehicles on the public road which is essential for avoiding any accidents of public roads.

LMV Test Sequence

These are the abilities that you will be evaluated on as a motorcar driver:

• Parallel Parking (alongside a car).
• Driving forward on an ‘H’ shaped road.
• Driving forward on a road that is upward sloping. The candidate should be able to drive upwards without stopping.
• Driving backward on an ‘S’ shaped road.

Two-Wheelers License Track Test

You must follow the procedure mentioned below to pass a two-wheeler license test:

• Visit the RTO in the allotted time with your Learner's License.
• You also must possess the receipt for the payment that you have made for taking the DL test.
• You must report at the Registration desk of the RTO before the allotted time
• The officer will be using the SARATHI software database to verify the applicant's ID, LL, and other documents. Your thumbprint will also be verified as a part of the identification verification.
• The candidate will be given an authorization if he/she is found to be eligible.

Procedure to Apply for a Duplicate DL in Maharashtra

Some state RTOs also provide the feature to apply for a duplicate driving license through the online mode. You can use any search engine to check if that facility is provided by the State Transport Department of your state.

• You will be required to fill and submit the LLD form duly. Additionally, you will have an 'Upload' option where you can upload all the necessary documents.
• You will be needed to take a printout of the LLD form. Attach your passport size photographs wherever required and sign the form.
• Submit the form in the RTO office where you formerly obtained your Driving License. Submit all the necessary documents. You won't be obligated to retake the Driving test to acquire a duplicate license.
• After the process is completed, the duplicate driving license is sent to the registered home address through post. Additionally, you will get a receipt that can be used instead of driving license until you receive your duplicate DL.

How Can You Apply for an International Driving License in Maharashtra?

Applying for an international driving license (IDL) is now a convenient procedure thanks to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. An individual who wants to drive in a different country is expected to apply for an international driving license (IDL), which serves as a driving permit in that country.

• Individuals can get to the nearest RTO with the necessary documents and the application fee.
• The license will be delivered to the individual after the processing of the application, which usually takes 3-4 business days.
• Form for International Driving License.
• Individuals who apply for an international driving license are obligated to submit the form 4 while applying for the IDL.
• Form 4 can be picked from any RTO; it is also known as the 'Form for the Issue of International Driving Permit'
• The individual is required to give personal details like name, address, driving license number, country the individual is traveling to.

Procedure to apply for a Duplicate DL

Some state RTOs also provide the feature to apply for a duplicate driving license through the online mode.

• Firstly, you need to visit the official website of the RTO of Maharashtra.
• You will be required to fill and submit the LLD form duly. Additionally, you will have an 'Upload' option where you can upload all the necessary documents.
• You will be needed to take a printout of the LLD form. Attach your passport size photographs wherever required and sign the form.
• Submit the form in the RTO office where you formerly obtained your Driving License. Submit all the necessary documents. You won't be obligated to retake the Driving test to acquire a duplicate license.
• After the process is completed, the duplicate driving license is sent to the registered home address through post. Additionally, you will get a receipt that can be used instead of driving license until you receive your duplicate DL.