How to get a learner's licence (LL) online

You need a learner's licence (LL) before you can get a permanent driving licence. You apply on Sarathi, the Transport Ministry's official licence portal, and choose your state. This guide follows the Tamil Nadu pages; other states use the same portal, but some services differ.

There are no screenshots on this page. The Parivahan website allows its content to be copied only after asking for permission.

Can I apply?

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (section 4) sets the minimum age:

• 16 years: a motorcycle with an engine of 50 cc or less, and only with a parent's or guardian's consent.
• 18 years: other motor vehicles, such as a geared motorcycle or a car.

A learner's licence is only issued for a vehicle class you are old enough to drive.

Documents you will need

One proof of age and one proof of address (or a single document if it shows both). Form 2 under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules accepts:

• Aadhaar card
• Electoral roll (voter list) entry
• Life insurance policy
• Passport
• School certificate
• Birth certificate
• Pay slip from a State or Central Government office or a local body
• Affidavit sworn before an Executive Magistrate, a Notary Public or a First Class Judicial Magistrate
• Certificate of age from a Registered Medical Practitioner not below the rank of Civil Surgeon
• Any other document your State Government specifies

Also needed:

• Form 1: a self-declaration that you are physically fit. You fill it in yourself and can print it from the application status page.
• Form 1A (a medical certificate from a doctor): the Sarathi FAQ says to attach it with Form 1. Form 2 lists it for applicants applying for renewal above 40 years of age, or applying for a transport licence. The portal's Find Doctor link lists doctors. Check what your RTO asks for.
• Parent or guardian declaration if you are under 18.
• Your photograph and signature (uploaded online).

Steps

1. Open Sarathi and choose your state (for example Tamil Nadu).
2. Under Learner Licence, click Apply for Learner Licence.
   • In Tamil Nadu, a pop-up offers Contactless (eKYC) services, including ISSUE OF LEARNERS LICENCE. It works with your Aadhaar number, the mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and online payment.
3. Sarathi lists the stages. Do them in this order:
   1. Fill application details (LL)
   2. Upload documents (age and address proof, photo, signature)
   3. Fee payment
   4. Verify the payment status
   5. Print the receipt
   6. LL slot book: choose a date and time for the learner's licence test.
4. Before the test, go through the Road Safety tutorial. Sarathi asks you to do this, and offers Tutorial for LL Test and Mock Test for LL to practise.
5. Take the LL test. Sarathi also offers an online LL test (STALL) in some states.
6. Some RTOs need a visit after you apply online, for document checking and biometrics. Your acknowledgement slip shows the documents to bring. Also bring the appointment letter and the fee receipt.
7. Once you pass, print your licence with the Learner Licence Extract Print link on Sarathi.

After you get the LL

• Your learner's licence is valid for 6 months, anywhere in India.
• Apply for your driving licence before the LL expires. If it expires, you must start again from the beginning.

If something goes wrong

• Failed the test: pay the retest fee (under Fee Payments) and book a new slot.
• Missed the test date: book a new slot under Appointments, if one is free.
• Want to replace an uploaded document: go to Upload Document and upload the new one. It replaces the old one.
• Session expired while applying: close the application and start again.
• Forgot your application number: use the Find Application Number link on Sarathi.

Good to know

• Cancelling is final. A cancelled application cannot be restored, and the fee is not refunded.
• After you pay, you cannot change your address on the application; ask your RTO.
• You can add one more vehicle class later through Add Class of Vehicles to an Application, but you cannot remove one.
• Use only sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. The portal warns that licence services are available only through official platforms.