How To Apply For Driving Licence In India

Driving a car is not only about the wind combing through your hair, but it is also about driving responsibly. The latter involves a less interesting process that revolves around an official document called a driving licence, which allows you to operate various types of motor vehicles on roads and highways in India. In most states, driving licences are administered by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) or the Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Also Read: How To Renew Your Driving Licence In India

In recent years, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has enabled computerisation of more than 1000 RTOs across the country and allowed online applications for obtaining a driving licence in various states. Therefore, instead of having to stand in a line and wait till your turn to submit your application at an RTO, now you go online and spend just a few minutes to apply for a driving licence. You still, however, have to be physically present for the driving test in order to complete the procedure. If you prefer a more old-school method and want to hand in the documents to the officers yourself, you can still go to an RTO and do so. This article will show you how to apply for driving licence, both online and offline.

Also Read: How To Apply For A Learner’s Driving Licence

How to Apply for Driving Licence in India

Documents Required for Driving Licence

Before deciding where and how to apply for a driving licence, there are quite a few documents that you have to prepare and submit along with the application form. Regardless of whether you are applying online or offline, you'll need to submit these documents for the application process. Here is the checklist of all the documents required:

• Learner's licence

• Proof of address (you only have to submit one of the documents below as proof of address)

  • Permanent address proof

  • House agreement

  • Ration card

  • Temporary address proof (Registered Rental agreement and LPG bill/electricity bill)

  • Passport

  • Voter's identity card (EPIC card)

  • Life insurance policy

  • Utility bills like electricity bill or telephone bill

  • Aadhar Card

  • State or Central Government issued payslip

• Proof of age (you only have to submit one of the following documents to prove your age)

  • Birth certificate

  • Passport

  • Voter's identity card (EPIC card)

  • Pan Card

  • School matriculation certificate

• Three passport-size photos

• Certificate from a recognised driving school

• All documents related to the vehicle that you will use for the driving test

• Medical certificate for applicants above 40 years old

Have all the necessary documents ready for your driving licence application

Also Read: 4 Types Of Driving Licence That You Can Get In India

How to Apply for Driving Licence Online

After having all the necessary papers ready, it is now time for you to fill out your application form. You must visit the official Sarathi website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (sarathi.nic.in), download the official application form, and fill in all the parts that are marked red. Only then are you able to submit your documents and apply online. Below are the steps you have to follow for online driving licence application:

• Go to the official Sarathi website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (sarathi.nic.in).

• Choose “Driving Licence” on the left side of the webpage.

• Choose “Apply Online”.

• From the drop-down, choose “New Driving Licence”.

• Next, you are taken to a brief instruction/introduction. Read it carefully and click “Continue” to proceed.

• Then you are instructed step-by-step by the official Sarathi website to provide the necessary information and to submit your documents. Follow the instructions closely.

• After uploading all the required papers, you can choose when you would like to have your driving licence appointment and do your driving licence test.

• Make the payment (200 rupees for normal driving's licence) to send the application form.

• You will be given an auto-generated Web Application Number. Note down this number as it allows you to view your application status.

And the only thing left that you have to do is to appear at the testing site on time and do your best to pass the test.

Online driving licence application is done on the official Sarathi website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

How to Apply for Driving Licence Offline

If you prefer to apply for a driving licence offline, you can also do it, but the documents that you have to prepare and submit are the same as when you apply online (stated in part 1). After having all the papers ready, you have to get and fill in the application form. You can print out the online form or ask the nearest RTO. Then, all the documents, including the application form, must be submitted at the local RTO. You choose the test schedule and pay the fee for your driving licence. The offline process is not really different from the online one, except that you have to spend more time and effort standing in a queue to obtain a form and then submit relevant documents.

You can apply for a driving licence at your local RTO

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