If you are above the age of 18 and want to drive a motor vehicle in India, then you must have a valid driving licence issued to you. This official document serves as proof that you have been authorised by the government of India to legally drive in the country. This law, as stated in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is applicable to all states in India, including Karnataka. Read on to know how to obtain a driving licence in Karnataka, the fee structure and the application process.
In general, there are two types of driving licences that you can get in Karnataka. These are:
To get a learner’s permit in Karnataka, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched the Parivahan Sewa portal, which is a centralised solution for all driving licence related services. Alternatively, you can also visit your nearest relevant Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Karnataka according to your zone and apply for a learner’s permit there.
In Karnataka there are certain criterias that one must meet in order to get a learner’s licence. These are:
To get your learner’s permit, these are the documents that you need to submit:
There are two ways by which you can get your learner’s permit in Karnataka: online, or by visiting the concerned RTO. Learn about both the methods below.
Online Application:
To apply for a learner’s licence online, you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
Step 2: Click on Driving Licence Related Services.
Step 3: From the drop down menu, select the state from where the service needs to be taken, i.e., Karnataka.
Step 4: Click on the icon Apply Learner Licence.
Step 5: Fill up your details in the online application.
Step 6: Upload the scanned copy of the documents mentioned in the section above.
Step 7: Upload your passport sized photograph and a scanned copy of your signature.
Step 8: Pay the application fee via online payment gateways.
Step 9: You will then be redirected to download your payment receipt.
Step 10: After downloading the receipt, you will be redirected to a new page where you can book a slot for your LL test.
Post successful payment and submission of the application, you need to appear for your LL test with a copy of the application form and payment receipt.
Offline Application
To apply for a learner’s licence offline, you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit your nearest relevant RTO in Karnataka.
Step 2: Fill out the application form for the learner’s permit. You can get the form at the RTO or can take out a copy of the same online.
Step 3: Submit the form along with the documents mentioned in the section above.
Step 4: Pay the application fee.
Step 5: You would then be asked to pick a slot for your LL test.
After you submit your application, you need to appear for your LL test on the given date and time with a copy of your application form and payment receipt.
Similar to a learner’s permit, there are two different ways by which you can apply for a permanent driving licence in Karnataka. Learn how to get your permanent driving licence in Karnataka.
To get a permanent driving licence in Karnataka, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
To get your permanent driving licence, you need to submit the documents mentioned below:
There are two ways by which you can apply for your permanent driving licence, online and offline.
Online Application
In order to apply for a permanent driving licence online, you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
Step 2: Click on Driving Licence Related Services.
Step 3: From the drop down menu, select the state from where the service needs to be taken, i.e., Karnataka.
Step 4: Click on the icon Apply Driving Licence.
Step 5: Fill up your details in the online application.
Step 6: Upload the scanned copy of the documents required.
Step 7: Upload your passport sized photographs and a scanned copy of your signature.
Step 8: Book the slot for your driving licence test.
Step 9: Pay the application fee online.
Step 10: You will then be redirected to a new page from where you can download a copy of the payment receipt.
After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email and SMS regarding the date and time of your driving licence test. You will receive your licence only when you are able to pass the driving test.
Offline Application
In order to apply for a permanent driving licence offline in Karnataka, you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit your nearest relevant RTO in Karnataka.
Step 2: Fill out the application form for a permanent driving licence. You can get the form at the RTO or alternatively can take out a copy of the same online.
Step 3: Submit the form along with the required documents.
Step 4: Pay the application fee.
Step 5: You would then be asked to schedule a DL test.
After you submit your application, you need to appear for your DL test on the given date and time with a copy of your application form and payment receipt. If you pass the test, the Karnataka RTO will then issue a permanent driving licence to you.
To get a learner’s licence, a permanent licence or to avail different driving licence related services in Karnataka, you need to follow the fee structure mentioned below:
| Purpose | Amount (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Issue of learner’s licence in Form 3 for each class of vehicle | 150 |
| Learner’s licence test fee or repeat test fee | 50 |
| For test, or repeat test, of competence to drive (for each class of vehicle) | 300 |
| Issue of a driving licence | 200 |
| Issue of International Driving Permit | 1,000 |
| Addition of another class of vehicle to driving licence | 500 |
| Renewal of driving licence | 200 |
If you need to check the status of your application for a driving licence in Karnataka, you can log on to the Parivahan Sewa portal and get hold of all the information. To check your driving licence status online in Karnataka, follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Visit https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
Step 2: From the menu bar at the top of the page, select Online Services.
Step 3: From the drop down menu, select Driving Licence Related Services.
Step 4: Select the state from where the service is to be taken, i.e., Karnataka.
Step 5: Select the icon Application Status.
Step 6: Enter your application number, date of birth and a captcha code.
Step 7: Click on Submit.
You will then be redirected to a new page where you can see the current status of your application.
To get your driving licence renewed online in Karnataka, follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
Step 2: From the menu bar at the top of the page, select Online Services.
Step 3: From the drop down menu, select Driving Licence Related Services.
Step 4: Select the state from where the service is to be taken, i.e., Karnataka.
Step 5: From the menu bar at the top of the page, select Driving Licence.
Step 6: From the drop down menu, select Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/Others)
Step 7: Fill up the required details.
Step 8: Submit the following documents:
a) Form 9 (Form Of Application For The Renewal Of Driving Licence)
b) Form 1 and 1A (in case the applicant is older than 40 years of age)
c) Passport sized photographs
d) Copy of the expired licence
e) Address proof
f) Age proof
Step 9: Pay the renewal fee.
Step 10: After your payment is complete, you will be redirected to a new page where you can download the payment receipt.
In the event that your driving licence ends up getting stolen, misplaced or damaged, you should immediately apply for a duplicate driving licence, since driving without a valid driving licence in India is a punishable offence. In Karnataka, you can apply for a duplicate driving licence online by following the steps below:
Step 1: Visit https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
Step 2: Click on Driving Licence Related Services.
Step 3: From the drop down menu, select the state from where the service needs to be taken, i.e., Karnataka.
Step 4: Click on the icon DL Services.
Step 5: Fill out your details and select the service you require, i.e., issue of duplicate DL.
Step 6: Upload the following documents:
a) Copy of the FIR
b) Address proof
c) Application form LLD
d) Photocopies of the original driving licence
e) Passport sized photographs
Step 8: Pay the fee for your duplicate licence.
Step 9: Download the payment receipt.
After your application and documents are verified by the RTO officers, you will receive a duplicate driving licence.