How to Apply for a Driving Licence 2026

Reviewed on 2026-06-20 by Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak.

This guide treats the whole task like a standard operating procedure. Do the steps in order, tick each one off, and you will not get stuck halfway. Every fee and rule below is checked against the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act. State user-charges can differ, so always confirm the final amount on your own State page in Sarathi.

You can apply for a permanent licence only once you already hold a learner licence. The Motor Vehicles Act sets the minimum age:

• 18 years for a light motor vehicle, such as a car or a geared two-wheeler.
• 16 years for a gearless motorcycle up to 50cc, with your parent or guardian giving written consent.
• 20 years for a transport vehicle.

If you have not yet got the learner stage done, read our learner licence online guide first and come back here after 30 days.

Rule 15(1) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules is strict: you may not appear for the driving test unless you have held the learner licence for at least 30 full days. Apply on day 31 or later. The licence stays valid for the apply window, so do not let it run too close to its own six-month expiry either.

Keep clear scans ready before you log in. You will normally need proof of age and address (Aadhaar, passport, or PAN with a separate address proof), your learner licence number, a passport photo, and your signature. For a transport licence you also need a medical certificate in Form 1-A from a registered doctor.

Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, the official portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Select your State first, because each State routes you to its own RTO list. Then choose “Apply for Driving Licence”.

Enter your learner licence number and date of birth. The system fetches your existing record, so you do not re-type everything. Check that the vehicle classes shown match what you actually want on the permanent licence.

Form 4 is the legal application for a driving licence. Fill your personal and address details, confirm the vehicle class or classes, and select your RTO. In 2026 most States capture your photo through Aadhaar e-KYC or a live webcam, so keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile handy for the OTP.

Upload each document in the size and format the portal asks for. Blurry or oversized files are the single most common cause of a rejected application, so re-scan if you are unsure.

Pay by UPI, net banking, or card and save the receipt. The verified all-India fees under Rule 32 are:

• Learner licence: Rs 150 per class of vehicle (paid at the learner stage).
• Test of competence to drive: Rs 300.
• Driving licence on smart card in Form 7: Rs 200, which includes the chip.

Renewal later costs around Rs 200 to Rs 250 including the smart card; verify the current figure on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. States may add a small service charge on top.

Choose a date and time for the test at your RTO. Slots fill fast in big cities, so book early. Print the appointment slip.

Carry all original documents. The test checks that you can start, steer, signal, reverse, and stop safely for the class you applied for. Verification of your originals happens the same day.

Once you pass and your documents clear, the RTO approves the licence. The smart card is printed and posted to your address. You can follow each stage on our driving licence status and renewal guide using your application number.

Figure: step-by-step flow. If a step stalls, use the grievance or RTI route shown.

If you fail the test, you can re-test after paying the test fee again. If your application sits for weeks with no movement, or you believe it was wrongly rejected, do not keep refreshing the page. First raise a grievance on CPGRAMS at pgportal.gov.in with your application number. If the office still gives no answer, file an RTI to the Public Information Officer of your RTO asking for the file status and the reason for delay. That usually unblocks a stalled file fast.

While your licence is in process, sort the rest of your vehicle paperwork too: keep a valid insurance policy ready in case of a vehicle insurance claim, set up your FASTag, and clear any pending dues you spot when you check and pay an eChallan.

You can apply once 30 days have passed since your learner licence was issued, under Rule 15(1). Apply on day 31 or later, but before the learner licence itself expires.

Form 4 is the prescribed application for a driving licence under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The Sarathi portal fills it electronically when you apply, so you do not need a paper form for an online application.

The driving test fee is Rs 300 and the smart-card licence fee is Rs 200 including the chip, under Rule 32. Your State may add a small service charge, so confirm the total on Sarathi before you pay.

You can complete the application, upload, and payment fully online on Sarathi. You still have to attend the RTO in person for the driving test and to show your original documents.

Proof of age and address, your learner licence number, a passport photo, and your signature. A transport-vehicle licence additionally needs a Form 1-A medical certificate.

Lodge a grievance on CPGRAMS at pgportal.gov.in with your application number. If there is still no response or you were wrongly rejected, file an RTI with your RTO's Public Information Officer asking for the status and reasons.

The core fees under Rule 32 are set centrally and apply across India. Individual States can levy a small extra user or service charge, so the final amount you pay on Sarathi may be slightly higher.

Yes. Each vehicle class needs its own test of competence. You add the new class to your application and take the test for that class.

• https://indiankanoon.org/doc/28072254/
• https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
• https://parivahan.gov.in
• https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/9460/1/a1988-59.pdf
• https://pgportal.gov.in

See also our guide to the international driving permit once your licence is in hand, and how to get a duplicate RC or DL if your card is lost.