Getting or Renewing a Driving License in India

Researched from official sources ยท March 18, 2026

Getting or Renewing a Driving License in India

Estimated time

2-4 hours active (30-60 days total for new license)

Cost

โ‚น200-1500

Before you start

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Learner's license (must be obtained before applying for permanent DL)
  • Driving school certificate (from a recognized school, optional but can waive the driving test at some RTOs)
  • Foreign driving license + translation (for conversion applications)

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Apply for a Learner's License Online

    1. Visit the Parivahan Sarathi portal
    2. Enter Aadhaar for auto-verification
    3. Select vehicle class: LMV (cars) or MCWG (bikes)
    4. Upload photo and signature, pay INR 200
    5. Book a theory test slot at your nearest RTO

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The form auto-fills from Aadhaar. Make sure your Aadhaar details are current. If your address is in a different city, apply at that RTO jurisdiction.

  2. 2

    Pass the Learner's License Theory Test

    1. 15-20 multiple choice questions on traffic signs and road rules
    2. Pass mark: typically 9 out of 15
    3. Available in English, Hindi, and regional languages
    4. Pass โ†’ learner's license generated instantly, valid 6 months

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: Questions are randomized with a time limit. Study the RTO handbook or Parivahan practice app. Common tricks: speed limits in residential areas, right-of-way at unmarked intersections.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Say:

    เคฎเฅเคเฅ‡ เคฒเคฐเฅเคจเคฐ เคฒเคพเค‡เคธเฅ‡เค‚เคธ เค•เคพ เคŸเฅ‡เคธเฅเคŸ เคฆเฅ‡เคจเคพ เคนเฅˆ

    mujhe learner license ka test dena hai

    "I need to take the learner's license test."

    ๐Ÿ“‹ Use when: Arriving at the RTO for your theory test

  3. 3

    Practice and Apply for Permanent DL

    1. Return to Sarathi portal, select 'New Driving License'
    2. Enter learner's license number
    3. Upload documents, pay INR 200 + INR 300 test fee
    4. Book a driving test slot

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: A government-recognized driving school certificate can exempt you from the RTO test. Costs INR 3000-8000 but saves time.

  4. 4

    Take the Driving Test at the RTO

    1. Track exercises: figure-8, uphill start, straight-line, reverse parking
    2. On-road test at some RTOs: 10-15 minutes on public roads

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: Figure-8 is the most common failure point. If you fail, rebook after 7 days (INR 300/attempt).

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Say:

    เคฎเฅเคเฅ‡ เคกเฅเคฐเคพเค‡เคตเคฟเค‚เค— เคŸเฅ‡เคธเฅเคŸ เคฆเฅ‡เคจเคพ เคนเฅˆ

    mujhe driving test dena hai

    "I need to take the driving test."

    ๐Ÿ“‹ Use when: Reporting for your driving test at the RTO

  5. 5

    Receive Your Driving License

    1. Smart card DL sent to your address in 7-15 days
    2. Digital copy available on Parivahan portal immediately
    3. Valid for 20 years or until age 50, then renewal every 5 years

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Your digital DL on DigiLocker or mParivahan app is legally valid. Download these apps to carry your DL on your phone.

Costs

Fee Amount Payment Notes
Learner's license application โ‚น200 Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter Valid for 6 months. Must pass a theory test (traffic signs and rules)
Driving license application (permanent) โ‚น200 Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter Apply 30 days after obtaining learner's license
Driving test fee โ‚น300 Online or at RTO counter Road test conducted at RTO. Free if you have a driving school certificate from a government-recognized school
Smart card DL issuance โ‚น200 Online or at RTO counter Credit-card-size plastic card with QR code. Replaces older paper booklet
DL renewal (timely, before grace expires) โ‚น200 Online via Parivahan Per Rule 32, CMV Rules 1989. Can be done online for most states
DL renewal (late, beyond grace period) โ‚น300 + โ‚น1000 per year delayed Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter Per Rule 32 โ€” INR 300 base late fee plus INR 1000 for each year delayed beyond the grace period
International Driving Permit โ‚น1000 Online via Parivahan or at RTO Valid for 1 year. Required for driving abroad (not all countries accept Indian DL directly)
Learner's license application โ‚น200
Payment:
Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter
Notes:
Valid for 6 months. Must pass a theory test (traffic signs and rules)
Driving license application (permanent) โ‚น200
Payment:
Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter
Notes:
Apply 30 days after obtaining learner's license
Driving test fee โ‚น300
Payment:
Online or at RTO counter
Notes:
Road test conducted at RTO. Free if you have a driving school certificate from a government-recognized school
Smart card DL issuance โ‚น200
Payment:
Online or at RTO counter
Notes:
Credit-card-size plastic card with QR code. Replaces older paper booklet
DL renewal (timely, before grace expires) โ‚น200
Payment:
Online via Parivahan
Notes:
Per Rule 32, CMV Rules 1989. Can be done online for most states
DL renewal (late, beyond grace period) โ‚น300 + โ‚น1000 per year delayed
Payment:
Online via Parivahan or at RTO counter
Notes:
Per Rule 32 โ€” INR 300 base late fee plus INR 1000 for each year delayed beyond the grace period
International Driving Permit โ‚น1000
Payment:
Online via Parivahan or at RTO
Notes:
Valid for 1 year. Required for driving abroad (not all countries accept Indian DL directly)
Total: Total: โ‚น700-900 (new DL) or โ‚น200-400 (renewal)

FAQ

General

Can I skip the driving test?

Yes, if you complete training at a driving school accredited under the CMV Act and recognized by your RTO, you can get a certificate that exempts you from the RTO driving test. The driving school handles training and testing internally. This option costs more (INR 3000-8000 for the school course) but saves time and avoids the often-unpredictable RTO testing process.

How do I renew my driving license?

DL renewal can be done entirely online through the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) in most states. Apply within the grace window before or after the expiry date. Upload your photo, Aadhaar, and pay INR 200 online (timely renewal under Rule 32). If you renew beyond the grace period, Rule 32 imposes an additional late fee of INR 300 base plus INR 1000 for each year delayed โ€” these add up quickly, so renew on time.

Can I convert my foreign driving license to an Indian one?

Yes. Foreign license holders can apply for an Indian DL by submitting their valid foreign license (with an official English translation if needed), passport, visa, and FRRO registration. You may be exempted from the driving test depending on the state RTO's discretion. The process takes 2-4 weeks. You can drive on your foreign license with an International Driving Permit for up to 1 year while your Indian DL is being processed.

What happens if I fail the driving test at the RTO?

You can rebook and retake the test after 7 days. Each attempt costs INR 300. There's no limit on attempts, but your learner's license is only valid for 6 months โ€” if it expires, you'll need to get a new learner's license before retaking the test. Common failure reasons: not checking mirrors, poor gear control, hitting cones during the 8-figure test, and not stopping properly at the stop line.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Vehicle registration โ€” buy and register at the RTO
  • โ†’ Car insurance โ€” mandatory third-party insurance required
  • โ†’ International Driving Permit โ€” INR 1000 via Parivahan, valid 1 year
  • โ†’ FASTag โ€” mandatory for highway tolls

Sources

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4 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-06

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  1. T1
    Sarathi Parivahan, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 2026-05-06

    Sarathi is the official citizen-facing portal for driving licence services. Listed services include 'Application for New Learner Licence', 'Expired Learner Licence Issue Again', 'New Driving Licence', renewal, duplicate, address change, and International Driving Permit. Portal supports document/photo/signature upload, fee payment, slot booking, and application status tracking.

    sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
  2. T1
    Transport Department, Government of Rajasthan (Rule 32 CMV Rules 1989 fee schedule mirror) 2026-05-06

    Driving licence fee schedule under Rule 32 CMV Rules 1989: Learner's Licence issuance INR 150, LL test INR 50; Driving Licence test INR 300 per vehicle class; DL issuance INR 200 (smart card adds INR 200); renewal INR 200 (timely); late renewal INR 300 plus INR 1000 per year delayed; International Driving Permit INR 1000; addition of vehicle class INR 500.

    transport.rajasthan.gov.in
  3. T1
    Transport Department, Government of Telangana 2026-05-06

    Driving licence renewal requires Form 9 application, fee as specified in Rule 32 CMV Rules, three passport photographs (if renewal in Form 6), the existing driving licence, and the medical certificate in Form 1A wherever applicable. The medical certificate application shall contain a declaration in Form 1.

    transport.telangana.gov.in
  4. T1
    Transport Department, Government of Telangana 2026-05-06

    Learner's Licence application requires Form II, fee Rs. 150 for each class of vehicle, proof of age and residence, Medical Certificate in Form 1A (where applicable), and 3 passport-size photographs. The Learner's Licence is valid for a period of six months from the date of issue and is renewable for another period of six months. Applicant must pass a test regarding basic traffic signs and driver's responsibilities.

    transport.telangana.gov.in
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