Driving LicenceHow to get a learner's licence
A learner's licence lets you learn to drive on the road with a licensed driver beside you. It lasts six months and is the first step to a driving licence.
Who can apply
- 18 years completed: any motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, such as a car or a motor cycle with gear.
- 20 years completed: a transport vehicle, such as a taxi, bus or truck.
- Under 18: only a motor cycle without gear, and only with the written consent of the person who has care of the applicant. The Delhi Transport Department states this as 16 years and an engine of not more than 50 cc.
Steps
- Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and choose your state.
- Choose the learner's licence application and fill in the form (Form 2).
- Upload the documents and your photo and signature, as the form asks.
- Pay the fee: Rs 150 for each class of vehicle and Rs 50 for the test.
- Book a slot for the learner's test, or take it online where your state offers that.
- Pass the test. The learner's licence is then issued; you can download it from Sarathi.
Documents
The Delhi Transport Department lists these. Other states ask for much the same:
- Form 1: application and self declaration of physical fitness.
- Form 1A: medical certificate, for applicants aged 40 or above and for transport vehicle licences.
- Form 2: application for the learner's licence.
- Proof of age.
- Proof of residence.
- Recent passport size photographs.
Parivahan advises checking the application status page on Sarathi: the acknowledgement printed from there shows the documents needed for your own application.
The test
The test checks that you know road signs, traffic signals, the rules of the road and what a driver must do after an accident. No driving is involved at this stage. Sarathi has sample questions and a mock test for each state under its Learner Licence menu, and you can warm up with our practice test.
What a learner must follow
- Drive only with a person beside you who holds a regular driving licence.
- Show the letter L in red on a white background at the front and the back of the vehicle.
- On a two-wheeler, carry nobody on the pillion except your instructor.
- For a commercial vehicle, train at a driving school recognised by the state.
A learner's licence is valid across India for six months. Apply for the driving test after 30 days and before it runs out.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum age for a learner's licence?
You must have completed 18 years for a motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, and 20 years for a transport vehicle. A person under 18 can get a learner's licence only for a motor cycle without gear, with the written consent of a parent or guardian; the Delhi Transport Department gives the age for this as 16 and the engine size as not above 50 cc.
How long is a learner's licence valid?
Six months from the date of issue. You can apply for the driving licence after 30 days.
Is there a test for the learner's licence?
Yes. You have to pass a test on road signs, traffic rules and a driver's duties. In Delhi it is a computer test with multiple choice questions, and a person who answers 60% correctly passes.
What happens if I fail or miss the learner's test?
You pay the re-test fee of Rs 50 and book a fresh appointment on the Sarathi website.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Form 1, a self declaration of fitness, is needed from everyone. A medical certificate in Form 1A is needed from applicants aged 40 or above, and for transport vehicle licences.
Check before you go. These facts were read on the official Parivahan website and the Delhi Transport Department website on 11 November 2026. Rules and fees change, and states add their own charges and steps. Your state's page on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in is the final word. This is not a government site.