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Sarkari kaam · Transport (MoRTH)

Driving licence learner's, permanent, renewal

Everything starts on Sarathi, the national Parivahan portal. Central fees are below; your state adds its own smart card and service charges, so the final amount on Sarathi will be higher.

Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources

Who needs this

  • Learner's licence: from 16 for a motorcycle without gear (with a parent or guardian's consent), from 18 for other non-transport vehicles, and from 20 for transport vehicles, as Parivahan states.
  • Permanent licence: anyone who has held a valid learner's licence for at least 30 days.
  • Renewal: anyone whose licence is about to expire or has expired.

Official fee

ForFee
Learner's licence, each class of vehiclesource: parivahan.gov.in₹150
Learner's licence test (or repeat test)source: parivahan.gov.in₹50
Driving test (or repeat test), each class of vehiclesource: parivahan.gov.in₹300
Issue of a driving licencesource: parivahan.gov.in₹200
Renewal of driving licencesource: parivahan.gov.in₹200
Renewal after the grace periodPlus ₹1,000 for each year (or part) of delay after the grace periodsource: parivahan.gov.in₹300
Adding another class of vehiclesource: parivahan.gov.in₹500
Change of address or other particularssource: parivahan.gov.in₹200
International Driving Permitsource: parivahan.gov.in₹1,000

These are the central fees. Every state adds its own smart card and service (user) charges, so Sarathi will show a higher total for your state.

Fees checked:

Steps

  1. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and choose your state.
  2. Learner's licence: fill the application, upload documents and photo if asked, pay, and take the learner's test (online from home where your state allows it, or at the RTO).
  3. Wait at least 30 days. Then, before the learner's licence expires (it is valid for 6 months), apply for the driving licence, pay, and book a driving test slot.
  4. Take the driving test at the RTO or authorised track with your own vehicle of the right class and its papers.
  5. Renewal: on Sarathi choose Services on Driving Licence, then Renewal. Upload Form 1 (self-declaration of fitness) or Form 1A (medical certificate) as your case needs, pay, and book a slot if your state asks for biometrics.
  6. The licence (smart card) comes by post. You can also keep it in DigiLocker or mParivahan.

Documents

  • Proof of age and address (for example Aadhaar, passport, birth certificate, school certificate; check the list Sarathi shows for your state)
  • Passport-size photo and signature, in the size Sarathi asks for
  • Form 1 self-declaration of physical fitness (non-transport), or Form 1A medical certificate where needed (for example above 40, or for transport vehicles)
  • For the driving test: your learner's licence, and the vehicle's registration, insurance and pollution certificates
  • For renewal: your current driving licence

How long it takes

  • Parivahan says a learner's licence is valid for 6 months; after it expires you can only apply for a new learner's licence.
  • You can take the driving test only after holding the learner's licence for at least 30 days.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the learner's licence expire before the driving test. You will have to start again.
  • Paying touts for a "guaranteed" licence. Every payment is on Sarathi or at the RTO counter with a receipt.
  • Bringing a vehicle without valid papers to the test.
  • Choosing the wrong state on Sarathi. Apply in the state where you live (address on your proof).
  • Waiting years to renew. Each year of delay after the grace period adds ₹1,000.

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indiadigital.org/sarkari-kaam/driving-licence/ · Fees checked: 1 November 2026

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Questions people ask

How much does a driving licence cost?

Central fees: ₹150 for the learner's licence plus ₹50 for its test, then ₹300 for the driving test and ₹200 for the licence. Your state adds smart card and service charges, so check the total on Sarathi.

How long is a learner’s licence valid?

Six months. You can take the driving test after 30 days, and you must take it before the learner's licence expires.

What is the renewal fee?

₹200 at the central rate. If you renew after the grace period it is ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay, plus state charges.

Sources

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