Want to get your driving licence in India and drive legally? It’s time to start your journey!

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to get your driving licence in India, whether it’s your first time or you need to renew. We’ll also cover international driving permits and licenses for foreigners.

Imagine the freedom of driving confidently, knowing you have all the necessary documents. No more worrying about traffic stops or legal issues!

Let’s get started! Learn how to apply online for your driving licence in India, what documents you’ll need, and even how to check your application status. Your journey to becoming a licensed driver in India begins right here.

The type of Driving licence online application may vary concerning the type of vehicle a person owns, here are some categories of DL.

One can get a driving licence for 4 categories of vehicles :

1. Non-Gear Motorcycle

2. Motorcycle with gear

3. Light motor vehicle (LMV)

4. Heavy motor vehicle (HMV)

The validity of the driving license is 20 years or till the attainment of the age of 50 years. You can renew the licence after its expiry.

Application for DL is a two-stage process :

1. Learning license

Anyone willing to have a driving licence in India must first possess a ‘Learning License’ initially. A Learner’s License is nothing but a provisional license issued by the RTO based on the vehicle class.

    2.   Permanent  licence

A permanent driving license can only be applied for, one month after a learner’s license is issued. It is granted to people who are above the age of 18. It can be used for cars or any other kind of motor vehicle.

Driving Licence Apply Online

Now you can apply for a driving licence in India online!

The process requires filling out a form and uploading relevant documents. The only in-person step is the driving test for a permanent licence, which must be taken at a Regional Transport Office (RTO). Otherwise, you can easily apply for your driving licence in India online and save time and hassle. You can also check your application status online as you go.

In metro cities, there are many RTO offices operated area-wise to benefit people. Explore various Online Services provided by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for license registrations and other related services.

Learning Licence

In the process of getting a driving licence in India, the first step is to get a learner’s licence.

Upon submission of the application form along with supporting documents, the applicant has to undergo a computer-based theory test. The test consists of ten multiple-choice objective-type questions, and the applicant has to correctly answer a minimum of six questions to clear the test.

After successfully clearing the test, the applicant will receive a learner’s licence, which is valid for six months. The applicant can apply for a permanent driving licence one month after the date of issue of the learner’s licence, but before the learner’s licence expires.

Documents required for learning Licence

Required documents  for a learning licence are as follows:

1. Completed Form 1

2. Copy of Address proof ( Voter ID, Aadhar, Passport, Electricity bill, Telephone bill, Rent agreement)

3. Copy of Date of birth proof (Birth certificate, 10th certificate, PAN card, Passport)

4. 2 passport size photograph

5. Medical certificate from doctor If age is above 50 years

Permanent Driving Licence

You can apply for a permanent driving licence in India one month after the date of issue of your learner’s licence.

During the permanent driving licence procedure, the applicant has to undergo a practical test, i.e. they have to demonstrate their driving skills on wheels. If you pass the driving test, you will receive your permanent driving licence.

Documents required for Permanent Driving Licence

Following are the required driving licence documents :

1. Completed Form 1

2. Copy of Address proof ( Voter Id, Aadhar, Passport, Electricity bill, Telephone bill, Rent agreement)

3. Copy of Date of birth proof (Birth certificate, 10th certificate, PAN card, Passport)

4. 2 passport size photograph

5. Valid Learning License issued in original

International Driving Licence

To drive a vehicle in a foreign country, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your Indian driving license.

RTOs issue IDPs and your physical presence at the RTO is required. IDPs are valid for one year.

Documents required for International driving license

1. Original Driving License

2. Copy of passport

3. Copy of valid visa

4. Travel ticket

For detailed information on International driving licence, please visit  

Driving Licence for foreigners in India

Foreigners can also apply for a driving licence in India, which is valid for one year.

The process is two stages. First, the applicant must obtain a learner’s driving licence. After 30 days, the applicant can apply for a permanent driving license.

Learning Licence for Foreigners

The first stage of getting a driving license in India is to apply for a learner’s driving license.

After submitting the application form and supporting documents, the applicant will be given an appointment for a test. This test is theoretical and tests the applicant’s knowledge of common driving rules. It consists of multiple-choice type objective questions, and the applicant must correctly answer a minimum of six out of ten questions to pass the test.

Upon successfully clearing the test, the applicant will be issued a learner’s driving license, which is valid for six months.

Documents required for Learning Licence for foreigners

Following are the documents required for a learning licence for foreigners

1. Valid passport copy

2. Valid Indian Visa copy

3. Current address proof of India ( rent agreement/ bank statement )

4. FRRO copy

5. Employer’s certificate

6. ID card of the company working for

Permanent driving licence for foreigners

After 30 days of learning the driving licence issue, one can apply for a permanent licence. After submission of the form along with supporting documents, an appointment is given for the driving test.

The driving test is a practical test where the applicant has to show his driving skill, by driving a vehicle the class for which he/ she has applied.

Upon successfully clearing the test, a permanent DL is issued.

Documents required for permanent driving licence for foreigners

The following are the documents required for a permanent driving licence For foreigners :

1. Learning driving license in original

2. Valid passport copy

3. Valid Indian Visa copy

4. Current address proof of India ( rent agreement/ bank statement )

5. FRRO copy

6. Employer’s certificate

7. ID card of the company working for

Commercial Driving Licence

To drive a heavy vehicle in India, a commercial driving licence is required.

Eligibility condition for commercial driving licence

1. 1 year of Driving experience ( should have a valid Indian driving licence more than 1-year-old)

2. Minimum age of 21 years

3. Minimum 8th passed required for application

Process for commercial driving licence

A minimum of 30 days are required to get a commercial driving licence. It’s a 2 stage process.

After 1 month of issuing of learning licence, a permanent licence is issued,

Learning Licence

The first stage of the commercial driving licence process is learning a licence. Application has to be submitted along with supporting documents. If all the documents are OK as per the requirement, there will be a computer-based theory test.

The theory test consists of 10 questions. It’s a multiple-choice type objective question.

To clear the test, one must answer a minimum of 6 questions correctly.

Upon successfully clearing the test, you will get a learning commercial driving licence.

The validity of the learning licence is 6 months. One must apply for a permanent commercial licence before the expiry of this. After 30 days from the date of issue of the learning licence, you have to apply.

Documents required for Learning Commercial driving Licence

Copy of:

1. Valid LMV licence

2. Educational certificate

3. Address proof ( voter ID, passport, Aadhar, Electricity bill, Telephone bill )

4. Date of birth proof ( birth certificate, 10th certificate, PAN card, passport)

Permanent Licence

After 30 days of the issue of the learning licence, you have to apply for a permanent licence. During the permanent licence process, there will be a practical test and the applicant will have to show his/her driving skill driving a heavy vehicle.

Documents required for  heavy Commercial driving Licence permanent

Copy of:

1. Valid learning commercial driving licence

2. Educational certificate

3. Address proof ( voter ID, passport, Aadhar, Electricity bill, Telephone bill )

4. Date of birth proof ( birth certificate, 10th certificate, PAN card, passport)

Driving Licence Renewal

The validity of a  renew Driving licence is 20 years or till the attainment of the age of 50 years, whichever happens, earlier. We have to renew it after the expiry

After 50 years, a driver's licence needs to be renewed every  5 years.

A driver's licence can be renewed not less than one month before the expiry of it and can not be renewed after 5  years from the date of expiry.  There is a late fine of Rs. 1000 per year from the date of expiry if an application for renewal of a license is submitted late.

There is a grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry of the licence. During this period there is no late fine.