Driving Licence

The system gets the official document directly from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) database and securely stores it in your DigiLocker account.

Two Main Licenses: Learner’s and Permanent

In India, people who want to drive need to complete a two-step licensing process. First, they must get a Learner’s License, and after gaining enough practice and understanding of road rules, they can apply for a Permanent Driving License. This system helps make sure drivers are properly trained and experienced before driving on their own.

1. Learner’s License (LL)

It is a temporary permit that lets you learn and practice driving under specific rules and restrictions.

  • Purpose: It works like a learner’s permit—it lets you drive, but only with supervision, not independently..
  • Eligibility:
    • You need to be at least 16 years old for motorcycles without gear (up to 50cc).
    • For motorcycles with gear and light motor vehicles (like cars), you need to be at least 18 years old.
    • You should also be familiar with basic traffic rules and common road signs.
  • How you get it: You usually need to clear a written or online exam that tests your understanding of road safety, traffic laws, and road signs.
  • Conditions for Driving with an LL:
    • You must have a person with you who has a valid permanent driving license for the same type of vehicle. That person should sit where they can take control or stop the vehicle if needed, such as the front passenger seat in a car.
    • The vehicle you’re driving must have a clear “L” symbol (for “Learner”) displayed on both the front and rear, in red on a white background, indicating that a learner is driving.
    • You cannot carry any other passengers on a two-wheeler (except the instructor, if applicable).
  • Validity: A Learner’s License is valid for six months. During this period, you are expected to practice and improve your driving skills.
  • Waiting Period: You can apply for a Permanent Driving License at least 30 days after getting your Learner’s License.

2. Permanent Driving License (DL)

  • Once you learn driving and prove your skills, you can apply for a Permanent Driving License. This allows you to drive on your own for the specific type of vehicle.
  • After you get your Permanent Driving Licence, you can drive by yourself. You don’t need to display an “L” plate or have a supervising driver with you (unless you are training another learner).

Purpose: It’s your official certification that you are competent and authorized to drive on public roads.

Eligibility:

  • You must have a valid Learner’s License for at least 30 days (but no more than 180 days).
  • You must be at least 18 years old for non-commercial vehicles. For commercial vehicles, the age requirement is generally 20 years or more, and often includes educational qualifications.

How you get it: The key step is passing the practical driving test held at the RTO. This exam checks your ability to drive in real traffic, follow road rules properly, and show safe decision-making on the road.

Validity: A Permanent Driving Licence for private vehicles is usually valid for up to 20 years or until the person turns 40, whichever comes first. After that, it must be renewed. For senior citizens and commercial vehicle drivers, the validity period is normally shorter—often around 10 years at first, and then 5 years or even 3 years for commercial licences.

Open and Log In:

  • Open the DigiLocker app and visit to official website.
  • Log in to your account. If you are new user, you will need to sign up first.
Driving Licence Register Vehicle

Access the Document

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  • Go to “Search Document” section.
  • Search for “Driving Licence” and choose the document from the list.

Select the Issuer

  • You’ll need to choose the State or Union Territory Transport Department that issued your driving licence. In some cases, you may also see an option called “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – All States.” Simply select the option that applies to you.

Enter Your Details

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  • You can see your details (like your Name and Date of Birth) according to your Aadhaar/DigiLocker profile.
  • Enter your Driving Licence Number.

Get and Save

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  • Click on “Get Document” or “Get Details”.
  • DigiLocker will connect with the official database (like Parivahan) and get digital copy of your DL.
  • Once fetched, the document will automatically save in your “Issued Documents”.
driving-licence

Important Things to Know

  • Legal Validity: The digital version of your Driving Licence stored in DigiLocker is officially recognized as a valid document. It is accepted by traffic police and transport departments throughout India under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
  • Original Source: DigiLocker obtains the document straight from official government databases such as the National Register or Parivahan. Because it comes directly from these authorized sources, the digital version is treated as an authentic document, just like the physical original.
  • Troubleshooting: If your Driving Licence (DL) is not showing, it could be because the details you entered — such as your name or date of birth — do not exactly match the records in the National Register. If this happens, you should contact your nearest RTO office or the concerned government department for help.