Driving licence services in India are administered by State and Union Territory licensing authorities under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, as amended. The national Sarathi platform is operated under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and National Informatics Centre ecosystem.
Current legal position for a driving licence
For a permanent driving licence, the prescribed application is made with a learner's licence for the relevant vehicle class. A learner's licence is generally valid for six months, and the applicant becomes eligible to apply for the new driving licence after holding it for at least 30 days. The competence test is governed by the applicable Central Motor Vehicles Rules and state implementation.
Official law text: Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 on India Code.
Driving licence age eligibility
| Vehicle category | General minimum age | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle without gear / qualifying low-capacity category | 16 years | Subject to the statutory conditions, including consent of the person having care of the minor where applicable. |
| Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) and motorcycle with gear for private use | 18 years | Applicant must satisfy the eligibility and licensing requirements. |
| Transport vehicle | 20 years | Additional eligibility, training or state requirements may apply. |
How to apply online through Sarathi Parivahan
Documents commonly required
The exact document list is generated according to the State/UT, applicant category and service. Keep the following commonly requested records ready:
- Proof of age/date of birth and proof of address accepted by the licensing authority.
- Recent photograph and signature where the portal asks for them.
- Learner's licence details when applying for a permanent/new driving licence.
- Applicable self-declaration or medical certificate/forms where required by law or the selected service.
- Application acknowledgement, fee receipt and appointment confirmation.
- Original documents for physical verification if directed by the State/UT or RTO.
Learner's licence and driving test
Learner's licence test
Depending on the State/UT, the learner's licence test may be offered online or at the licensing office. The test generally checks road rules, traffic signs and safe-driving knowledge.
Driving competence test
A permanent/new driving licence applicant must hold the relevant learner's licence for at least 30 days before appearing for the competence test. Applicants should follow the appointment instructions and carry the vehicle/class and originals required by the licensing authority.
Driving licence fees and online payment
Use the Fee Payments option available after selecting your State/UT on Sarathi. Avoid bookmarked legacy payment URLs. The portal calculates the amount applicable to the selected service, including any test or state/user charges.
If a transaction is unsuccessful or remains pending, check payment/application status before starting a duplicate application or making another payment.
Check driving licence application status
Open Sarathi, select your State/UT and use the Application Status option. Enter the application number and other details requested on screen. For an approved licence that has not been delivered, the official Parivahan guidance recommends contacting the concerned RTO/department for dispatch information.
Important points before you apply
- Always start from the official Sarathi home page instead of saved internal `.do` or `.jsp` links, because internal routes can change.
- Availability of document upload, online learner's test, faceless authentication and appointments varies by State/UT and RTO.
- Keep your application number and payment receipt for future reference.
- A valid learner's licence for the relevant class is required before the permanent/new driving licence test.
- Do not pay unofficial agents merely to access a government portal service.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the official website for driving licence applications?
The official national Sarathi entry point is sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Select your State/UT after opening the portal.
When can I apply for a driving licence after getting a learner's licence?
You can apply for a new driving licence after holding the learner's licence for at least 30 days. The learner's licence is generally valid for six months.
Is the entire driving licence process online?
Not necessarily. Online facilities differ by State/UT. A driving competence test and/or physical verification at the licensing authority may still be required.
Can I use an old direct Sarathi payment or application link?
It is safer to start at the official Sarathi home page and navigate through your State/UT menu because internal service URLs can be changed by the portal.
Where can I get technical help for Sarathi?
Parivahan lists the Sarathi helpdesk for learner's licence and driving licence technical issues. Check the current Contact Us page on Parivahan for the latest contact details.
Official links
Last reviewed: 30 August 2026. Government portals and State/UT procedures can change; confirm the final requirements shown on Sarathi before submitting an application.