Sarathi Parivahan is the official online portal operated by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. Through this platform, citizens can access various transport-related services online, including applying for a Learner’s Licence (LL), a Permanent Driving Licence (DL), renewing expired licences, requesting duplicate copies, and updating addresses.
Driving Licence (DL): Online Application, Fees, Status Tracking & Complete Guide
Across most Indian states, “Faceless / Contactless RTO” services are now active. This means that if you authenticate your application using your Aadhaar card via e-KYC, you can bypass physical visits to the RTO for specific services (like Learner’s Licence testing or licence renewals) and complete the procedure entirely online from your home.
Important Services
| Service | Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s Licence | Apply for a new Learner’s Licence | Sarathi Parivahan |
| New Driving Licence | Apply for a Driving Licence after completing the required LL process | Sarathi Parivahan |
| DL Renewal | Apply for renewal of an existing Driving Licence | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Duplicate DL | Request a duplicate Driving Licence | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Change of Address | Update the address recorded on the Driving Licence | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Correction / Update | Request eligible corrections or changes to DL details | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Add Vehicle Class | Add an additional class of vehicle to an existing licence | Sarathi Parivahan |
These services are reflected in the official application form and Sarathi service documentation.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a driving licence in India, applicants must meet specific age requirements and legal conditions:
| Vehicle Type / Category | Minimum Age | Additional Conditions |
| MC50CC (Non-gear vehicles / Mopeds up to 50cc) | 16 Years | Written consent from parents or legal guardians is mandatory. |
| MCWG / LMV (Motorcycle with Gear & Light Motor Vehicles / Cars) | 18 Years | The applicant must be physically and mentally fit to drive. |
| Transport / Commercial Vehicle | 20 Years (Varies by State) | The applicant must hold a valid LMV licence for at least one year prior. |
Note: To apply for a Permanent Driving Licence, you must first possess a valid Learner’s Licence for at least 30 days.
Documents Required
When applying online without Aadhaar e-KYC, or when required by your local RTO during physical verification, you must upload valid supporting documents:
| Document Type | Accepted Documents (Submit Any One) |
| Age Proof | Birth Certificate, 10th Standard Marksheet, PAN Card, valid Passport. |
| Address Proof | Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, valid Passport, LIC Policy Bond, recent Electricity or Water Bill. |
| Medical Certificate (Form 1A) | Compulsory for applicants aged 40 and above, or for commercial licence applicants. Must be signed by a registered MBBS doctor. (Younger applicants submit a self-declaration Form 1). |
| Photograph & Signature | Recent passport-size photograph and a clear signature on white paper (if not using Aadhaar e-KYC). |
Application Fee Structure
Official government fees for driving licence services on the Sarathi portal are standardized under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules:
| Service Type | Standard Government Fee (Approx.) |
| Learner’s Licence (LL) – Per Class | ₹150 (LL Fee) + ₹50 (Test Fee) |
| Permanent Driving Licence (DL) | ₹200 (DL Fee) + ₹300 (Driving Test Fee) + ₹200 (Smart Card Fee) |
| Renewal of Driving Licence | ₹200 + ₹200 (Smart Card Fee) |
| Duplicate Driving Licence | ₹200 + ₹200 (Smart Card Fee) |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | ₹1,000 |
Apply / Access / Track / Download
| User Need | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Apply / Access DL Services | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Track Application Status | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Download / Print Application Forms | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Verify Driving Licence Details | Parivahan |
| Correction / Update | Sarathi Parivahan |
| Renewal | Sarathi Parivahan |
How to Apply: Learner’s Licence (LL)
Step 1: Visit the official Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) and select your respective State. Step 2: Click on “Apply for Learner Licence” from the menu options. Step 3: Choose your preferred verification method:
“Submit via Aadhaar Authentication” (Recommended): Bypasses RTO visits. Your photo, name, and address are automatically fetched from UIDAI.
“Submit without Aadhaar Authentication”: Requires manual document uploads and subsequent physical verification at the RTO.
Step 4: Fill in your personal details and select the vehicle class (e.g., MCWG for bikes, LMV for cars).
Step 5: Complete the self-declaration medical form (Form 1) and submit.
Step 6: Pay the requisite application and test fees online using UPI, credit/debit cards, or net banking.
Step 7 (Online LL Test): If you selected Aadhaar e-KYC, you can take the mandatory online STALL test (traffic rules and road signs) directly from your webcam-enabled computer or smartphone. Passing the test immediately generates your digital Learner’s Licence.
How to Apply: Permanent Driving Licence (DL)
You can apply for a permanent driving licence after holding your Learner’s Licence for a minimum of 30 days and within 6 months of its issuance:
- Access the Sarathi portal, select your state, and click on “Apply for Driving Licence”.
- Input your valid Learner’s Licence Number and Date of Birth.
- Review your auto-populated details and submit the application form.
- Pay the driving test and card processing fees online.
- Go to “DL Test Slot Booking”, choose an available date and time slot for your practical driving test at your designated RTO test track.
- Visit the RTO on your scheduled appointment date with your vehicle and original documents to clear the driving test. Upon successful completion, your permanent smart-card DL will be printed and mailed to your address via Speed Post.
How to Track Your Application Status
You can monitor the exact processing stage of your application online at any time:
- Navigate to the Sarathi portal homepage and click on “Application Status”.
- Enter your unique Application Number and your Date of Birth.
- Input the verification captcha and click Submit.
- The screen will display the current status of your file (e.g., Under Scrutiny, RTO Approval Pending, DL Printing, or Dispatched).
Common Problems and Solutions
- Payment Deducted but Status Shows Pending: If money was debited from your bank account but the portal shows an unpaid status, do not make a duplicate payment. Go to ‘Fee Payments’ > ‘Verify Pay Status’ on the portal and enter your application details to sync the transaction.
- Did Not Receive LL Test Password: If you are taking the online Learner’s Licence test and haven’t received your credentials via SMS, click on the online LL test link and select “Resend Password”.
- Address Mismatch with Aadhaar: If your Aadhaar address does not match your current residential address where you wish to register your DL, select the “Submit without Aadhaar” route and provide local address proofs (such as a rent agreement or utility bill).
Other Important Links:
- How to apply for Voter ID Card Correction?
- Apply New Passport: Complete Process
- How to Get GST Number?
Help & Grievance
For technical problems related to Learner’s Licence and Driving Licence services, the official Sarathi support contact is helpdesk-sarathi@gov.in and 0120-2459169 (6:00 AM–10:00 PM).
Important Note
- Service availability and authentication requirements can vary according to the State/UT and Licensing Authority.
- Online submission does not necessarily complete the entire DL process; where required, applicants must attend the concerned RTO/appointment for remaining formalities.
- CSC/VLE involvement is not a universal requirement. Where Aadhaar biometric authentication is required, the official portal states that applicants may visit a CSC or use an appropriate biometric device.