Learner licence: how to apply online, take the test and pay the fee

A learner licence (LL) is the permit that lets you practise driving on public roads before you take the driving test. In India it is issued by your state’s licensing authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and you apply for it on Sarathi, the driving licence service of Parivahan.

To start an application, open Sarathi and select your state. The application and the fee are both completed on Sarathi.

Who needs a learner licence, and the minimum age

No one may drive a motor vehicle in a public place without an effective driving licence, and the learner licence is the first stage for anyone who has never held one. The age rules come from the Act and the Parivahan learner licence page:

The age-16 rule is narrower than many people think. Section 4(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act allows a 16-year-old to drive only a motorcycle with engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc. Most scooters sold today have larger engines, so a 16- or 17-year-old cannot legally ride them, even with a learner licence.

You need a separate learner licence entry for each class of vehicle you want to learn, for example motorcycle with gear and light motor vehicle. You can apply for more than one class in the same application, and the fee is charged per class.

Documents and declarations

Keep these ready as clear scans or photos before you start:

• Proof of age and proof of address. Rule 4 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules lists the documents accepted, self-attested: Aadhaar card, electoral roll entry, life insurance policy, passport, pay slip from a Central, State or local government office, school certificate, birth certificate, a certificate of age from a registered medical practitioner not below the rank of civil surgeon, and any other document your state prescribes. Foreign nationals also show proof of legal presence in India. If you cannot produce any of them for a good reason, the licensing authority may accept an affidavit sworn before an Executive Magistrate, a First Class Judicial Magistrate or a Notary Public.
• Aadhaar is optional. Using Aadhaar authentication can make the process contactless. If you do not have Aadhaar, the 2022 notification says you can still apply in person with other documents.
• Passport-size photograph and signature, if your state asks for them to be uploaded rather than captured at the RTO.
• Self-declaration of physical fitness (Form 1, now appended to the Form 2 application under Rule 5), for non-transport vehicles.
• Form 1A, a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner, when you apply for a transport vehicle class.

Uploads on Sarathi must be JPEG, JPG or PDF files of no more than 300 KB, and the file name must not contain spaces or special characters. Most upload failures come from those three rules.

The official forms are on Parivahan’s all forms list. Form 2 is the application form for learner and driving licences, although on Sarathi you fill it online.

How to apply on Sarathi, step by step

1. Open Sarathi and choose the state where you live.
2. Choose the learner licence application. If you use Aadhaar authentication, your name, date of birth and address are pulled from Aadhaar after an OTP.
3. Fill in the personal details and select the class or classes of vehicle.
4. Upload the documents, photo and signature if asked, and complete the Form 1 declaration.
5. Pay the fee on the Sarathi payment page (Fee/Payments). Note the application number.
6. Take the learner licence test, online if your state offers it, or at the RTO on the slot you book.
7. After you pass, print the learner licence from Sarathi under Print License Details › Print Learner License, using your application number and date of birth.

If a payment is deducted from your account but Sarathi shows it as pending, use Fee/Payments › EPAYMENT › Verify Pay Status before trying again. The Sarathi FAQ says no automatic refunds are made, and double payments must be taken up with the state transport department or RTO.

The learner licence test

The test is a set of objective questions on traffic rules, road signs and safe driving. Under Rule 11 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, you pass if you answer at least 60% of the questions correctly. Parivahan publishes a sample question bank that is worth working through.

Many states let you take the test online from home after Aadhaar authentication, with your webcam on. Others hold it at the RTO or a facilitation centre. Sarathi shows the options for your state once you choose it.

If you fail, you pay the ₹50 test fee again for each retest, and Sarathi shows when you can take it again.

You do not have to take the learner test again if you already hold an effective driving licence or one that has expired, under Rule 11(5).

Learner licence fees

These are the central fees from Rule 32 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, as revised by G.S.R. 1183(E) of 29 December 2016:

States may charge a lower fee and may add amounts for automation, technology, testing or other services, so Sarathi often shows a higher total. The figure on the Sarathi payment screen is the one you pay. The fee calculator works out the central part for any combination of services.

How long a learner licence is valid

A learner licence is effective for six months from the date of issue (section 14(1) of the Act). During that time you may drive only with an instructor or a licensed driver beside you, as the conditions on your learner licence state.

You must hold the learner licence for at least 30 days before you can take the driving test. So the practical window to apply for your driving licence runs from day 31 to the end of month six. If it lapses before you pass, you have to apply for a fresh learner licence and pay again.

Rules while you drive on a learner licence

Rule 3 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules sets the conditions for practising on a public road. All three must be met:

• you hold an effective learner licence in Form 3 for that class of vehicle;
• an instructor who holds an effective driving licence for the vehicle sits where they can control or stop it;
• the letter “L” in red on a white background is painted or fixed on the front and the rear of the vehicle. The plate must be at least 18 cm square, and the letter at least 10 cm high, 2 cm thick and 9 cm wide at the bottom.

On a motorcycle, a learner must not carry any other person except an instructor seated so they can control or stop the motorcycle. Driving alone on a learner licence, or without the L plate, is driving without a valid licence and can lead to a challan.

Proposed changes in the 2026 draft rules

On 16 October 2026 MoRTH published draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (G.S.R. 902(E)) for public comment. Among other things, they propose:

• a safe-driving tutorial of not less than 30 minutes as part of the learner licence process;
• raising the learner test pass mark from 60% to 75%;
• revised lists of documents accepted as proof of address, age and identity;
• no fee for services availed through online Aadhaar authentication.

These are proposals only. Until final rules are published in the Gazette, the current 60% pass mark and the learner licence fees apply.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing the wrong state. Choose the state where you live now. The Sarathi state list lists every option on Sarathi.
• Picking only one class. If you will need both a motorcycle and a car licence, adding both classes now avoids a second learner licence later.
• Large or oddly named files. Keep uploads under 300 KB with simple file names.
• Paying twice. Verify a pending payment before paying again.
• Letting the six months run out. Book your driving test slot early, since slots are released by the RTO.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a learner licence without Aadhaar?

Yes. Aadhaar authentication is voluntary under S.O. 4353(E). Without it, you complete the process at the RTO using the other documents your state accepts.

Can a 16-year-old ride a scooter on a learner licence?

Only if the engine capacity does not exceed 50 cc and a guardian has given written consent. For larger scooters and all motorcycles with gears, the minimum age is 18.

How many questions do I need to get right?

At least 60% under the current Rule 11. The 2026 draft proposes 75%, but that is not in force.

Is the learner licence valid in other states?

Yes, a learner licence is valid across India, subject to its conditions. You can take the driving test in the state where you live.

What is the fee for a learner licence?

The central fee is ₹150 per class plus ₹50 for the test. Your state may add charges, which Sarathi shows before payment.

Can I change the class of vehicle after applying?

Yes, but only before you pay. The Sarathi FAQ explains that you can add another class through Online services › Modify applications, using your application number and date of birth, as long as the fee has not been paid yet.

What happens if I lose my learner licence?

A duplicate learner licence is one of the Aadhaar-enabled online services. Apply on Sarathi for your state, or reprint it from Print License Details if you still have the application number.

How do I print my learner licence?

On Sarathi, choose your state, then Print License Details › Print Learner License, and enter your application number and date of birth.

Next steps: get your driving licence, check the forms you may need, or read the Parivahan FAQ. Back to Parivahan services.