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Driving Licence in Karnataka: How to Apply Online/Offline?

Team AckoApr 5, 2024

Karnataka, a state in the southern part of India, attracts tourists to beautiful cities like Gokarna and Hampi; while its capital city, Bangalore is booming with the IT industry growth, which attracts professionals from across the nation. With so many people and their vehicles, the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) play an important role in enabling smooth traffic movement within the state.

For instance, RTOs conduct exams before issuing Driving Licences (DLs) to ensure the safety of road users. Importantly, no one is legally allowed to get behind the wheel on public roads without acquiring a valid DL. So, if you want to drive/ride vehicles, you must apply for a Driving Licence in Karnataka. Read ahead to know how to go about it.

Contents

Types of Driving Licences in Karnataka
Driving Licence application process in Karnataka
- How to apply for a Driving Licence online in Karnataka
- How to apply for a Driving Licence offline in Karnataka
How to check Driving Licence application status in Karnataka
Driving test procedure in Karnataka
- Driving test for four-wheelers
- Driving test for two or three-wheelers
Driving Licence fees in Karnataka
Eligibility for Driving Licence in Karnataka
Documents required for Driving Licence in Karnataka
How to renew Driving Licence in Karnataka
Duplicate Driving Licence in Karnataka
- Documents required for duplicate DL in Karnataka
- Steps to apply for duplicate Driving Licence in Karnataka
International Driving Permit application in Karnataka
- Documents required for IDP in Karnataka
- Steps to apply for IDP in Karnataka
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Types of Driving Licences in Karnataka

The RTOs in Karnataka issue Driving Licences in the following categories.

Type of Driving Licence	Vehicle type
DL for motorcycles (no gear)	50cc or lower engine capacity mopeds, scooters, etc.
DL for motorcycles (geared)	Over 50cc engine capacity bikes
DL for private light motor vehicles (geared)	Over 50cc engine capacity cars
DL for heavy transport motor vehicles	Lorries, trucks, buses, etc.

Driving Licence application process in Karnataka

Listed below are the steps involved in the application process for a Driving Licence in Karnataka.

How to apply for a Driving Licence online in Karnataka

Follow these steps if you want to apply for DL online in Karnataka.

Step 1: Visit the Karnataka Transport website.
Step 2: Move to the Parivahan tab and click on “Driving Licence Related Services”, which will take you to the Sarathi portal.
Step 3: Look for “Apply for Learner’s Licence (LL)” and submit your application under the local RTO by entering your details and uploading the necessary documents.
Step 4: Take your LL test using the application acknowledgement slip and receive the Learner’s Licence from the RTO.
Step 5: Fill out a DL application by visiting the Sarathi platform again, and schedule your driving test.
Step 6: Visit the RTO on your driving exam date as per the selected slot.
Step 7: Pass the test by showcasing your driving skills.
Step 8: Share your biometric details as instructed by the officials.

The RTO will take some time to dispatch your new Driving Licence after conducting a thorough verification of the submitted documents.

How to apply for a Driving Licence offline in Karnataka

You can follow these steps to submit a DL application offline in Karnataka.

Step 1: Visit the RTO in your city with the required documents.
Step 2: Request for a form to be filled for LL and fill it out with accurate details.
Step 3: Submit your application and documents along with the LL test and issuance fee.
Step 4: Take the test for LL issuance and hold it for 30 days.
Step 5: Visit the RTO again to fill in an application for your permanent DL as an LL holder.
Step 6: Submit the documents as requested and pay the fees to get a test slot and payment slip.
Step 7: Appear for the driving test as scheduled with your payment slip.
Step 8: Provide your biometric details as per the official’s instructions.

The DL will be sent to your current address as mentioned on your application.

How to check Driving Licence application status in Karnataka

If you feel like checking your Driving Licence status in Karnataka, follow these steps.

Step 1: Head to the digital portal called Sarathi Parivahan and select “Karnataka” under the state section.
Step 2: On the new screen, pick the “Application Status” tab.
Step 3: Enter details like your birth date, application number, etc., to view your Driving Licence status in Karnataka.

Driving test procedure in Karnataka

The process of conducting a driving test for permanent DL in Karnataka is to assess a candidate’s driving skills and knowledge of regulations and rules related to traffic.

Driving test for four-wheelers

Here are the important factors associated with the four-wheeler driving test procedure in Karnataka.

An official is appointed to monitor the test.
The official tests a candidate under the ground phase and road phase of the exam.
During the ground phase, a candidate must drive in specific patterns to demonstrate their driving skills to the official.
During the road phase, a candidate has to drive on a public road to demonstrate their knowledge of on-road traffic laws.
The official passes/fails a candidate based on the performance.
A candidate can reappear in seven days in case of failing the test.

Driving test for two or three-wheelers

Here are the important factors related to the driving test with two and three-wheelers in Karnataka.

An official looks over the process.
A candidate has to pass the ground and road levels of the examination.
There are specific patterns in which the candidate has to ride a two/three-wheeler during the ground test.
The candidate must exhibit their knowledge of traffic rules while riding a two/three-wheeler during the road test.
The appointed official may pass or fail a candidate based on the candidate’s performance.
A failed candidate can re-apply in seven days.

Driving Licence fees in Karnataka

You will need to make the following fee payments for Driving Licence services in Karnataka.

Type of service	Fees (in Rs.)
Issuing a Learner’s Licence	150
Test/retest for Learner’s Licence	50
Test/retest for Driving Licence	300
Issuance of Driving Licence	200

Eligibility for Driving Licence in Karnataka

These are the things you must know about the eligibility to apply for a DL in Karnataka.

Application for a DL for gearless vehicles is accepted only from applicants who are 16 years of age or older.
Application for a DL for geared vehicles is accepted only from applicants who are 18 years of age or older.
Application for a DL for transport vehicles is accepted only from applicants who are 20 years of age or older.
One can’t apply for a permanent DL without holding a Learner’s Licence that is not older than 6 months.
An applicant has to pass the tests associated with the DL issuance.

Documents required for Driving Licence in Karnataka

The following documents will be helpful at the time of applying for a Driving Licence in Karnataka.

Form 2 (as your permanent DL application)
Form 1 (to self-declare your fitness)
Form 1A (as a Medical Certificate attested by a physician for applicants who are 40 or older)
Proof of age (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Birth Certificate, etc.)
Address/residence proof (Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, Rental Agreement, etc.)
Copy of existing Learning Licence (must be valid)
Copy of the PAN card
Passport-size pictures
Payment slip

How to renew Driving Licence in Karnataka

For a Driving Licence that is about to expire or has already expired, you can follow the below-mentioned renewal process in Karnataka.

Step 1: Go to the Sarathi digital portal via the Parivahan website and choose “Karnataka”.
Step 2: Move to the DL renewal service option.
Step 3: Read the given instructions and apply accordingly for your DL renewal.
Step 4: Pay the renewal fee and download the receipt.

You will receive your DL in a few days once the RTO completes its verification stages. This may take three or more working days based on the accuracy of the documents you submit.

Duplicate Driving Licence in Karnataka

The physical DL document can get damaged or lost for some reason. In that case, you can apply for a duplicate DL in Karnataka.

Documents required for duplicate DL in Karnataka

The documents that you must provide for duplicate DL in Karnataka are mentioned below.

FIR copy for a lost/stolen Driving Licence
Affidavit copy for a lost/stolen Driving Licence
Original DL for a damaged/tampered Driving Licence
Challan clearance (You can get it from the Department of Traffic Police in your city)
Proof of your address and age
DL copy (if possible) or a letter containing the details of your Driving Licence

Steps to apply for duplicate Driving Licence in Karnataka

Using the following steps, you can submit your duplicate DL application in Karnataka.

Step 1: Head to the platform called Sarathi via the Parivahan website and select “Karnataka”.
Step 2: Move to the section called “Apply for duplicate DL”, submit your application and get the application receipt.
Step 3: Visit the RTO for document verification.

You must submit this application within six months of losing your licence.

International Driving Permit application in Karnataka

International Driving Permit (IDP) will certify you to drive/ride motor vehicles in many foreign countries. To receive this permit, you must follow the following instructions.

Documents required for IDP in Karnataka

Here are the documents you need to submit for an International Driving Permit in Karnataka.

Driving Licence photocopy
Visa and air ticket photocopies
Passport photocopies
Passport-sized four photographs
Form 4A (IDP application)
Form 1A (Certificate of Medical Fitness)

Steps to apply for IDP in Karnataka

Here is the process of applying for IDP in Karnataka.

Step 1: Go to Sarathi Parivahan by visiting the RTO Parivahan website and selecting online DL services.
Step 2: Choose “Karnataka” to find the “Apply for IDP” option.
Step 3: Enter your details, upload documents, and make the payment for the process.
Step 4: Download the slip and schedule an RTO appointment.
Step 5: Go to your nearest/selected RTO in the city with the slip and original documents for verification.

The RTO may take around 7 working days to dispatch your IDP in Karnataka.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned on this page is compiled from different websites and government sources. The information may be updated from time to time. Hence, please refer to the respective government websites and verify before making any DL-related decisions.