Table of Contents
Documents required for new driving licence (LMV) — Sarathi checklist 2026
Direct answer. For new driving licence: first apply for Learner Licence (LL) with documents below, pass online learners test, wait 30 days, then apply for Driving Licence (DL) with practical test. Documents required: Form 1 (medical), Form 1A (declaration), PoI, PoA, PoDOB. Commercial DL (HMV) requires medical Form 1A signed by registered MP.
Mandatory documents
- Proof of Identity — Aadhaar · Voter ID · PAN · Passport · Birth certificate
- Proof of Address (current) — Aadhaar · Voter ID · Electricity bill (≤6 months) · Water bill · LPG bill · Bank statement · Rent agreement (registered) · Property tax receipt
- Proof of Date of Birth — Birth certificate · School Class 10 mark sheet · PAN · Passport · Aadhaar · Govt-issued photo ID with DOB
- Form 1 — Application — Self-declaration of physical fitness; download from parivahan.gov.in
- Form 1A — Medical fitness — For age 50+ OR commercial DL — signed by registered medical practitioner
- Photograph + signature — 4 passport-size photos + signature on white paper
- Learner Licence (for permanent DL) — Original LL + receipt of LL test passing
Optional / situational documents
- Form 4 — For HMV / commercial vehicle additional categories
- Form 5 — For driving school certificate (mandatory for some categories)
- NOC from existing licensing authority — If transferring DL between states
- Disability certificate — For PwD applicants seeking modified-vehicle endorsement
Specifications + key rules
- Age requirements: 18 (LMV non-transport) · 20 (transport) · age relaxation in certain states.
- Form 1A medical — mandatory for age 50+ AND for all commercial DLs (HMV, taxi, auto).
- Driving school certificate (Form 5) — mandatory for HMV, hazardous goods, passenger vehicles in many states.
- Photo specifications: 3.5 × 2.5 cm, white background, recent.
- Test fees: LL Rs. 200 + DL Rs. 200 + smart card Rs. 200 (varies by state, around Rs. 600-1,000 total).
- Validity: DL valid 20 years OR until age 50, whichever earlier; renewable in 5-year cycles after 50.
Where to apply
Online application at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in → book RTO test slot → carry originals + photocopies + Form 1.
→ Official source: https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/sarathiHomePublic.do
If you don't have all documents
If DL is rejected for “documents inadequate”, request specific deficiency in writing under §4(1)(d). Re-apply with corrected documents.
→ Use our 🪄 AI RTI Drafter to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
- Q: Can I get DL without LL? — No — Learner Licence is mandatory; minimum 30-day wait between LL and DL test.
- Q: Documents for HMV / commercial? — Same as LMV + Form 1A medical + driving school certificate (Form 5).
- Q: I lost my Learner Licence. Can I still apply for DL? — Apply for duplicate LL first via Sarathi portal (Rs. 200).
- Q: Inter-state transfer — what documents? — Existing DL + NOC from issuing RTO + new address proof.
- Q: What is “Form 1A” exactly? — Medical fitness certificate by a registered medical practitioner. Mandatory for 50+ and commercial DLs.
Summary + next steps
- Gather mandatory documents above before applying — saves a re-visit
- Apply via official portal (link above) — no agent needed
- Track status: see our status-check guides
- If rejected for “documents inadequate”: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
- For state-specific guidance: see state portals directory
All RTI Wiki tools (free, no login)
- 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
- 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
- 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score draft win-likelihood
- ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
- 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
Related on RTI Wiki
- Track status: How to check driving licence status
- State-by-state: Driving Licence across all 36 states
- If rejected, file RTI: Full RTI guide
- Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
- All documents checklists: All 30 checklists
Sources
- Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
- Official portal: linked in “Where to apply” above
- RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.
