Driving Licence 2026 — Apply Online (LL + DL), Fees, Test & Renewal
Driving Licence 2026: Apply for Learner's Licence (LL) and permanent DL on Sarathi parivahan portal. Fees, online learner test, RTO driving test, renewal and category list.
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Quick summary. A Driving Licence (DL) in India is issued by the State Transport Department / RTO under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The flow has two stages: Learner’s Licence (LL) — online theory test + ₹350 fee, valid for 6 months → after a 30-day gap, take the Permanent DL (driving test) at the RTO + ₹350 fee. Apply online at the Sarathi (Parivahan) portal parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice. Total time: 30–45 days end-to-end. From June 2024, driving tests can also be conducted at private accredited driving schools, drastically reducing RTO wait times.
The DL is one of the most-used identity documents in India after Aadhaar. As of FY 2025–26, there are 22.4 crore active DL holders across all states. The Sarathi portal handles all DL services nationwide on a unified back-end (the National Vehicle Registry / Vahan + Sarathi). Most RTOs now offer fully online LL with a video-proctored test taken from home — no RTO visit needed for LL in 27+ states.
The 2024 reform allowing driving tests at accredited driving schools is the biggest practical win for first-time applicants — instead of waiting 30–60 days for an RTO test slot, you can complete training and the test at one accredited centre in 4–8 weeks.
At a glance
| Service | Fee | Validity | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner’s Licence (LL) | ₹150 (form) + ₹200 (test) = ₹350 | 6 months | Online (video-proctored) or RTO |
| Permanent DL (Light Motor Vehicle / 2-wheeler) | ₹200 (test) + ₹200 (smart card) = ₹400 | Up to 40 yrs / 20 yrs | RTO test + smart-card issue |
| DL Renewal | ₹200 + ₹200 smart card | 5 / 10 years | Online via Sarathi |
| DL Replacement (lost / damaged) | ₹200 + ₹200 smart card | Same as original | Online + RTO |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | ₹1,000 | 1 year | RTO with valid DL |
| Adding new vehicle category | ₹500 | Same as DL | RTO test |
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
8th-pass desirable; mandatory only for commercial vehicle DL
Age Limit (As on Date of LL application)
16 to 120 Years
Other Requirements
- Nationality: Indian citizen / Indian resident with valid visa
- Age 16+ — for Learner's Licence for a 50cc moped (no gear)
- Age 18+ — for any Light Motor Vehicle (cars, motorcycles with gear)
- Age 20+ — for commercial vehicle (transport / heavy goods)
- Must be free from any debilitating physical / mental condition that affects driving (medical certificate Form-1 / 1A required for 40+ or any commercial DL)
- First-time applicant cannot directly apply for DL — Learner's Licence is a prerequisite, valid for 30 days minimum and 6 months maximum before the DL test
Documents required
While filling online form
- Aadhaar — single PoI + PoA + DOB if updated; recommended for paperless flow
- If not Aadhaar — Voter ID / Passport / 10th certificate (DOB) + utility bill (PoA)
- Recent passport-size photograph + signature scan (digital)
- Form 1A — medical fitness (for age 40+ or commercial DL); from any registered MBBS doctor
- Form 1 — self-declaration of fitness for ages under 40 (online tick on Sarathi)
- Existing LL — for permanent DL application
Step-by-step — Learner’s Licence (LL)
- Open parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice → Apply for Learner’s Licence.
- Choose state / RTO. Fill: name, DOB, blood group, photograph, signature, address. Aadhaar OTP for paperless e-KYC.
- Upload Form 1 / 1A medical (if 40+).
- Pay ₹350.
- Choose online test slot (most states) OR RTO slot for in-person test.
- Take the 20-question multiple-choice test on traffic rules / signs / safety. Pass mark: 6/10 in most states (12/20 in some). Re-test allowed after 7 days if failed.
- e-LL is issued instantly on passing — download from Sarathi → mParivahan app.
The online test takes ~20 minutes, video-proctored (no other person in frame, no peeking, ID shown to camera). Studying mock tests for 2–3 hours is enough to pass; sample questions at parivahan.gov.in.
Step-by-step — Permanent Driving Licence
After the LL is at least 30 days old and within 6 months:
- Open parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice → Apply for Permanent DL.
- Enter LL number + Aadhaar OTP.
- Pick: vehicle category (LMV / MCWG / commercial), RTO or accredited driving school.
- Pay ₹400 (₹200 test + ₹200 smart card).
- Book a slot for the driving test.
- Drive your own / driving-school vehicle through the test track — start, gear-shift, U-turn, parallel parking, 8-figure (for 2-wheeler), emergency stop. The motor vehicle inspector grades.
- Pass → DL printed at the RTO smart-card facility → posted to your address in 15–25 days. Status visible at Application status on Sarathi.
⏰ Last Date: Open (rolling — no deadline)
Apply on Sarathi (Parivahan)Clicking this button will take you to the official government portal.
Driving school option (recommended for new drivers)
Since 1 June 2024, accredited driving schools can:
- Run their own driving test (with the RTO Inspector remotely supervising via CCTV)
- Issue an AADL (Accreditation-Based Driving Licence) — equivalent to RTO-issued DL
- Bundle training + test in 4–8 weeks at ₹5,000–₹15,000
Find accredited schools in your district via parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/sites/default/files/AccreditedDrivingTrainingCentre.pdf. The DL itself looks identical and is registered on Sarathi.
DL Renewal
DL is valid for 20 years or until age 40, whichever is earlier. After 40, renewal is for 10 years with medical fitness; after 60, for 5 years.
- Sarathi → Apply for DL renewal. Aadhaar OTP login.
- Upload current DL + recent photo + medical Form 1A (if 40+).
- Pay ₹400. Submit.
- No driving test for renewal — only for category addition.
- Smart card delivered in 15–25 days.
Grace period — 30 days after expiry. Renewing within 30 days post-expiry: no penalty. After 30 days but within 1 year: ₹1,000 penalty + renewal. After 1 year: re-take both LL and permanent DL tests.
Common rejection / failure reasons
| Reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Failed online LL test | Wait 7 days; study traffic signs and the official driving handbook (parivahan.gov.in); retake |
| Failed driving test (couldn’t park / take U-turn) | Practise more on similar tracks; book re-test (₹200) after 7 days |
| Photograph rejected | Use plain background, head fully visible, no headgear unless religious |
| Medical certificate older than 30 days | Get a fresh Form 1A — older ones are not accepted |
| Address mismatch | Update Aadhaar / DL address first via Sarathi → Change of address |
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the total cost of a fresh DL in 2026?
2. Can I take the LL test from home?
3. How long does the entire DL process take?
4. What is the difference between LMV and MCWG?
5. Can a 16-year-old get a DL?
6. Is the DL valid in all states?
7. What if I lose my DL?
8. Can I drive without a DL after passing the test?
Latest updates
The June 2024 reform — driving tests at accredited driving schools — has cut the average RTO wait time from 60 days to 25 days nationwide. From January 2026, DigiLocker integration is fully live: DLs auto-flow into DigiLocker on issue, and traffic police across all states accept the DigiLocker DL as legally valid. The 2026 budget extended the ₹1,000 IDP fee without revision; ePassports and DLs are now compatible with the unified e-KYC stack.
Official links
Disclaimer. SarkariBaba is an independent information publisher. DL fees, test slots and accredited school availability vary by state — verify on parivahan.gov.in before applying.
