Learner’s Licence Online: Apply, Test and Fees

You apply for a learner’s licence on the Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in), pay ₹150 per vehicle class plus a ₹50 test fee, and pass a short test on road rules. In many states you can take the test online from home after Aadhaar authentication. The licence stays valid for six months, and you can book your driving test once it is 30 days old.

Key facts

Eligibility and age limits

Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 sets the age at which you can drive, and no learner’s licence is issued for a class you are too young for:

A learner’s licence is valid throughout India. Foreign nationals who are not diplomats also start with a learner’s licence, according to the Parivahan FAQ.

Documents needed

• Proof of age, such as a birth certificate, school certificate or passport.
• Proof of address, such as Aadhaar, passport or voter ID.
• Form 1, a self-declaration of physical fitness, for non-transport vehicles.
• Form 1-A, a medical certificate from a registered doctor, for transport vehicles. Some states, such as Telangana, also ask for it from applicants above 40.
• A recent passport-size photograph and your signature, uploaded as JPEG files.

Sarathi fills in your details from Aadhaar if you use the Aadhaar-based route. Your Aadhaar must be linked to a working mobile number for the OTP; our guide to the Aadhaar mobile number update explains how to fix that first.

How to apply for a learner’s licence online

1. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state.
2. Under the Learner’s Licence menu, choose Application for New Learners License. Some states list this under Contactless (eKYC) services.
3. Pick Applicant does not hold Driving/Learner’s Licence and enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
4. Enter the OTP and let the portal fetch your Aadhaar details. Add your present address if it differs from Aadhaar.
5. Select each class of vehicle you want to learn, for example motorcycle with gear and light motor vehicle.
6. Complete the Form 1 self-declaration, or upload Form 1-A if it applies to you.
7. Upload your photograph and signature, then pay the fee online.
8. Note your application number. The password for the online test comes by SMS.

If you do not use Aadhaar authentication, you fill the form, book a slot under Appointments, and visit the RTO on that date with original documents and the fee receipt. The official Parivahan FAQ says the status “under scrutiny” means the RTO still has to check your documents and take your biometrics. Our guide to driving licence application status explains what each message means.

The learner’s licence test

Rule 11 of the CMVR tests four things:

• traffic signs, signals and the rules of the road;
• a driver’s duties after an accident that causes death, injury or property damage;
• precautions at an unmanned railway crossing;
• the documents a driver must carry.

The questions are objective, and you pass by answering at least 60% correctly. The number of questions and the time limit depend on your state’s test software.

Taking the test online

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified S.O. 4353(E) on 16 September 2022. It lets 58 transport services, including the learner’s licence, be done online with Aadhaar authentication, which is voluntary. Punjab’s user manual shows how the faceless test works:

1. Open the online learner’s licence test (called STALL on Sarathi) and enter your application number.
2. Watch the road safety video in full. Do not skip it or switch screens.
3. Log in with your application number, date of birth and the SMS password.
4. Pass the face authentication with Aadhaar on your webcam.
5. Answer the questions. The result appears on screen, and if you pass, your learner’s licence is issued as a PDF.

You need a computer or laptop with a webcam and internet. Where your state does not offer the online test, you take it at the RTO or an authorised test centre. Practise first with Mock Test for Learners’ License or Sample Question for LL Test on your state’s Sarathi page.

If you fail or miss the test

Pay the ₹50 retest fee under Fee Payments. Then book a fresh slot under Appointments and choose Slot booking Learner’s License Test.

Fees and validity

States add their own user or service charges, so the amount on your Sarathi fee screen will be higher. Pay only what the portal shows.

Section 14 of the Act makes a learner’s licence valid for six months. It cannot be renewed. If it lapses, apply again through Expired Learner License Issue Again. To print your licence, use Print Learners License (FORM3) with your application number and date of birth, where your state allows it.

Driving on a learner’s licence

Rule 3 of the CMVR lets you drive for practice only if:

• you carry your learner’s licence;
• an instructor with a valid driving licence for that vehicle sits where they can control or stop it;
• a red “L” on a white background is displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.

On a motorcycle, you cannot carry a pillion rider other than the instructor. Your vehicle also needs valid motor insurance; see our note on car insurance cover.

Once your learner’s licence is 30 days old, apply for the permanent licence on Sarathi and book the driving test. Take a vehicle of the class you applied for.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a learning licence online and take the test at home?

Yes, if your state offers the Aadhaar-based faceless service. You need a webcam and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Otherwise you take the test at the RTO or an authorised centre.

What is the age limit for a driving licence in India?

You must be 16 for a motorcycle up to 50cc, 18 for cars and other non-transport vehicles, and 20 for transport vehicles.

How many questions must I answer correctly?

At least 60% of the questions asked, under Rule 11 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The number of questions varies by state.

What kind of questions come in the driving licence exam?

Traffic signs and signals, rules of the road, what to do after an accident, safety at unmanned railway crossings, and the documents a driver must carry.

How long is a learner’s licence valid?

Six months from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed, so apply for a new one if it expires before you pass the driving test.

When can I apply for the permanent driving licence?

After you have held the learner’s licence for at least 30 days, and before it expires.

Do I need a new learner’s test to add another vehicle class?

No. The Parivahan FAQ says adding a class of vehicle does not need a fresh learner’s test, and you can add the class to your existing learner’s licence.

Sources

• Learner’s License: age limits — Parivahan, MoRTH (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• Licensing related fees and charges — Parivahan, MoRTH (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• LL – Learners License related services (FAQ) — Parivahan, MoRTH (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• Permanent License — Parivahan, MoRTH (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Sections 4 and 14 — Indian Kanoon (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, Rules 3, 5, 8, 10–12 — Chhattisgarh Transport Department (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• Learner’s Licence: documents required — Telangana Transport Department (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• User manual: faceless learner’s licence with Aadhaar — Punjab Transport Department (checked 17 Sep 2026)
• 58 citizen-centric services online with Aadhaar authentication — PIB (checked 17 Sep 2026)