Driving Licence (DL): Apply Online Learning Licence at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in

Driving Licence (DL):  The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is the prominent authority in India, which caters to all the matters related to Road transports in India. It formulates policies and release new circulars related to Road Transport activities such as issue of Driving Licence, Registration of Vehicles, Traffic Norms, and various other. Driving Licence (DL) is an important tool that is compulsory for each motorist/ driver to have while driving.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, without a valid Driving License no individual is allowed to drive a motor vehicle in a public place in India. A penalty imposed and legal actions are taken against a person if found driving without a valid Driving License.  

Driving Licence

Driving License are issued by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in every States/ UTs. However, applications can now be filled online. For online applications and to deliver other DL services, MORTH has released an online application or portal called SARTHI. This helps users to get an easy access to DL related services while sitting at their homes. Now, Driving License Applications can be submitted online from any part of the country without physically visiting the RTO.

Using SARTHI online application, one can explore and experience plethora of Driving License Services provided by the Concerned Ministry.  

In this article, check all the important details about Driving license all the related aspects of it such as Application process, SARTHI portal, Eligibility, documents, its types and classifications, application status, and many more.

An Overview of Driving Licence (DL)

Significance of Driving License

Let us start with discussing significance of having a Driving License in India-

• Driving License in serves as a photo identity proof or address proof document which can be produced to prove the identity of a person whenever required.
• Driving Licence facilitates licence holder to drive their vehicle without any restrictions across the country.  
• Driving license is important document for driving vehicles in India. This helps drivers to avoid various legal complications related to road transport.
• As DL is a document issued by the Government it can be used a proof in case of any legal proceedings.   

Types of Driving License

The Online Portal i.e., SARTHI allow users to apply for four types of Driving Licenses. These are-

• Learner’s License

Learner’s License is first step towards getting a driving License in India.  Driving License are not issued directly to the applicant in the first. Before applying for DL, they must apply for LL. Motor vehicle owners have to first apply for the learning License which tells that the person is in learning stage. Motor vehicle owners can apply for LL from the SARTHI Portal. Learning licence is valid for a period of 6 months throughout the country.

• Driving License

Citizens who are issued Learner’s License can apply for Driving License once the validity of LL is completed. Driving Licence application can be submitted online. Those who do not access to internet can also visit the concerned RTO to apply for Driving Licence.   

• Conductor License

A conductor License is issued to the person who is allowed to act a conductor of a stage carriage. Eligible person can apply through the SARATHI portal.  

• Driving School License

These Licenses are issued to the Driving Schools which provide driving training to the citizens. Those who wish to run a driving school license must get a DSL first. It can be obtained by submitted an online application through the online portal.

Apart from the aforementioned categories of DL, there are few other types of DLs which are issued by the Transport Departments. These are-

• Commercial Licence- Commercial Licence is issued to the drivers of the Heavy motor vehicle which are engaged in transportation and carriage of passengers and goods.
• International Driving Permit/ Licence- This type of License is issued to the people who are willing to drive motor vehicles in country other than India.

Vehicle Categories  

Check the list of all the vehicle categories and Licence Class mentioned in the DL described below-  

Eligibility for Driving License

To apply for a Driving Licence, one must fulfill all the eligibility conditions. Check what are the requirements for getting a Driving Licence given as under-

• The minimum age for issue of DL for a gearless vehicle such as scooter should be 16 years.
• Minimum age for DL for a motor vehicle, Four-wheeler vehicle or non-transport vehicle is 18 years.
• Minimum age for issue of Driving license for commercial purpose is 20 years.
• Commercial DL applicants should hold a Light Motor Vehicle Licence.
• Applicant should be medically fit.
• Those who are applying for International permit must have a driving experience of at least one year in India.

Documents Required for DL Application

To prove the eligibility criteria for Driving Licence, applicants must possess all the requisite documents and should attach the same with the DL application form. The list of all the required documents for Driving Licence application can be viewed below-

•  Proof of Address- Applicants can submit any of the following document as proof of Address
  – Permanent Residence proof
  – House agreement
  – Ration Card
  – Voters ID card
  – Aadhaar Card
  – Passport
  – Electricity bill (should be issued in the name of applicant)
  – Insurance policy bond
  – Temporary proof of address (rent agreement/ LPG Connection/ electricity bill proof)

• Proof of Age- As a proof of age, applicants can provide any of  the following documents-
  – Birth certificate
  – SSC certificate/ High School certificate
  – Pan card
  – Passport
  – Transfer certificate (School) issued by the school which must indicate date of birth of the applicant

• Other documents-

• Dully filled in application (if offline application)
• 3 passport size photographs of the applicants if applying for Learner’s license or driving license.
• Application fee receipt in case of offline application
• Medical certificate for candidates above the age of 40 years.

Driving Licence Application Process

Applications for Driving Licence can be submitted in online as well as offline mode. To submit online applications, Government has launched an online application called SARATHI. Those who do not have access to internet and online mode can apply in offline mode. For that they have to obtain the application form by visiting the concerned RTO and submit the application.

In this section we have discussed the step-by-step process to submit online application for Learner’s License and Driving Licence using SARATHI portal. So, scroll down and get the details of application process-

Online Application for Learner’s Licence

• Begin with searching SARATHI portal on your browser.
• Open SARATHI official portal and you will be landed on the homepage of the portal.
• Now, select your state from the drop down menu.
  
• You will be redirected to a new page. Click on “Apply for Learner’s Licence” tab.
  
• Now, page showing instructions about the application will open. Click on “Continue” button.
• Now Select the Category and click on Submit button.
• Application form will open. Fill the personal details, Address details in the space provided with care. Select class of vehicle, mark the declaration and click on Submit button after crosschecking the entered details.
• Now, second stage of application process will open. Upload the required documents in the format specified.
• Submit the application fee through any of the preferred online payment mode.
• After payment, verify the payment by entering your application no. and date of birth.
• Lastly, take the printout of the receipt and keep it safe for your references.
  

Online Application for Driving Licence

• Open SARATHI portal. Link is given below.
• Select the respective state from the drop-down menu.
• Now, click on “Apply for Driving License” option given on the homepage of the selected state.
• Read the instructions and click on Continue button to proceed.
• Select the appropriate option and provide required details. Click on “OK button”.
• Application form will open.
• Fill all the personal details, address details, vehicle class and other information carefully in the space provided.
• Mark the declaration and click on submit button.
• Now, upload necessary documents like age proof and address proof in requisite format and proceed.
• Also upload photograph and signature (if required)
• Now, Slot booking option for issue of DL will open. (It is applicable in only some of the states)
• After slot booking, you will be redirected to the payment option.
• Make the payment of the application fee.
• After payment of fee, you need to verify the payment status.
• Once verification of payment is over, you can download and take a printout of the receipt for your record.

DL Application Charges/Fee

Applicants have to submit a pay application fee as prescribed by the authority for each type of service and DL activity. Check the fee applicable for different activities given in the table below-

DL Services available on SARATHI portal  

Citizens can avail various services and extract DL related information from the SARATHI portal. The list of all the available services is as follows-

Validity of Driving License

Driving Licence are issued for a specified period of time. After the expiry of the validity period,DL holders have to renew it. The validity of a Learning Licence is 6 months from the date of issue. In case a person is having a newly issued DL or have renewed it then the validity of DL will be effective upto period of 5 years from the date of issue/renewal.

For other kind of driving license (in case of DL having non-transport class of vehicle) validity will be ad follows-

• If the DL holder has not completed the age of 30 years as on the date of renewal of issue, then the DL will be valid till the date DL holder attains the age of 40 years.
  Or
• In case person has attained the age of 30 years but not the age of 50 years on the date of issue/ renewal of DL, then the DL will be valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue.
  Or
• In the person has attained the age of 50 years but not 55 years as on the cut off date i.e. the date of issue then the DL will be valid until the DL holder attains the age of 60 years.
  Or
• In case DL holder is of 55 years on the date of issue, then DL will be valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

DL Application Status

After successful submission of application forms, you can check the application status using the online portal. Follow the instructions below to get your application status-

• Go to the official portal.
• Select state from the list of states.
• Now, click on “Application Status” tab given on the menu bar or from the options displayed below.
• Now, enter your application no., date of birth and captcha code in the space given.
• Click on submit button.
• Application status of the respective application will open.
• Check the application status and other details.

Important Links

Contact

For anu technical support related to Sarathi portal and Driving License, contact at the given details-

Sarathi, National Transport Project
Phone No.- 0120-2459169
E-mail Id- [email protected]

FAQs