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Driving Licence in West Bengal: How to Apply Online/Offline?

Team AckoApr 5, 2024

West Bengal is one of the most populous states in India. And the state’s age-old culture and unique cuisines make it a popular tourist destination. At the same time, the capital city Kolkata attracts businessmen and merchants from nearby regions. All this converts into dense traffic in many of the cities of this state.

For the safety of road users, the Traffic Police Departments make sure that vehicle drivers have the right documents, including a valid Driving Licence. So, if you want to apply for a Driving Licence (DL) in West Bengal, we have listed the online and offline steps to make it easier for you.

Contents

Types of Driving Licences in West Bengal
Driving Licence application process in West Bengal
- How to apply for a Driving Licence online in West Bengal
- How to apply for a Driving Licence offline in West Bengal
How to check Driving Licence application status in West Bengal
Driving test procedure in West Bengal
Driving Licence fees in West Bengal
Eligibility for Driving Licence in West Bengal
Documents required for Driving Licence in West Bengal
How to renew Driving Licence in West Bengal
Duplicate Driving Licence in West Bengal
International Driving Permit application in West Bengal
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Types of Driving Licences in West Bengal

Here are the different kinds of DLs issued by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in West Bengal.

Type of Driving Licence	Vehicle type
WB Driving Licence for two-wheeled gearless vehicles	Gearless scooty, mopeds, etc.
WB Driving Licence for two-wheeled geared vehicles	Motorcycles, geared scooters, etc.
WB Driving Licence for four-wheeled vehicles	Cars like SUVs, MUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, etc.
WB Driving Licence for transport vehicles	Trucks, buses, etc.
WB Driving Licence in other categories	Medium/heavy goods vehicles, hazardous goods carrying vehicles, etc.

Driving Licence application process in West Bengal

If you live in West Bengal and need to apply for a Driving Licence, there are online and offline procedures available.

How to apply for a Driving Licence online in West Bengal

Here is how you can apply for a Driving Licence online in West Bengal.

Step 1: Visit the portal https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.
Step 2: Through “Online Services”, you can access DL services and move to the Sarathi platform.
Step 3: Pick “West Bengal” from the state list and move to the Learner’s Licence application section.
Step 4: Complete the application, add documents and pay the fees to get your preliminary test booking.
Step 5: Finish the exam to get your Learning Licence (LL).
Step 6: Schedule a DL test by completing the DL application via the Parivahan portal.
Step 7: Visit the RTO with the acknowledgement receipt of the application on the date of your driving test.
Step 8: Take the test and follow the instructions of the RTO officials while providing biometrics.

Upon passing the test, the RTO will conduct document verification and issue your Driving Licence.

How to apply for a Driving Licence offline in West Bengal

Here is how you can apply for a Driving Licence offline in West Bengal.

Step 1: Go to a nearby RTO in your city to fill out an application for LL (if you don’t have a valid LL already).
Step 2: Take the LL test and apply for a Driving Licence as a holder of LL.
Step 3: Get a driving test scheduled to be held after a month of LL issuance.
Step 4: Take your test at the RTO and provide your biometrics as requested by the officials.

You will get your DL via post a few days after passing the driving test.

How to check Driving Licence application status in West Bengal

When you need to know the status of your DL application in West Bengal, follow these steps to track it.

Step 1: Make your way to the Sarathi portal via the Parivahan and choose “West Bengal”.
Step 2: Reach the section named as “Application Status” and fill in the details as requested.
Step 3: You can now view your DL application status.

Driving test procedure in West Bengal

The following are the procedural factors related to a driving test for DL in West Bengal.

Each candidate gets an inspector assigned by the RTO to look over the driving test process.
A driving test involves two stages called a ground stage and a road stage of the exam.
Driving skills on different marks/patterns are tested during the ground stage of the exam.
Driving in compliance with traffic laws is tested during the road exam.
One may pass or fail the test based on their performance.
Failed candidates need to wait for seven days to apply for the test again.

Driving Licence fees in West Bengal

The following table shows the two-wheeler/four-wheeler Driving Licence fees in West Bengal.

Type of service	Fees (in Rs.)
Learner’s Licence (LL) test	50
Issuing Learner Licence document	150
Driving Licence (DL) test	300
Issuing Driving Licence document	200

Eligibility for Driving Licence in West Bengal

The eligibility for a permanent DL in West Bengal depends on the following.

Gearless vehicle Driving Licences are issued to applicants over the age of 16 years.
Geared vehicle Two-wheeler Driving Licence in West Bengal is issued to applicants over the age of 18 years.
Four-wheeler Driving Licence in West Bengal is also issued to applicants over the age of 18 years.
Transport vehicle Driving Licences are issued to applicants over the age of 20 years.
Ample knowledge of traffic rules is important.
An applicant has to obtain a Learner’s Licence in order to become eligible for DL application.

Documents required for Driving Licence in West Bengal

You will need the following documents to apply for a Driving Licence in West Bengal.

Permanent Driving Licence application under Form 2
Declaration of physical fitness under Form 1
Medical Certificate signed by a physician in Form 1A (for applicants older than 40 years of age)
PAN card (a copy)
Valid Learning Licence (a copy)
Address proof via Aadhaar Card, Rental Agreement, etc.
Age proof via Birth Certificate, Aadhaar Card, etc.
Passport size photographs
Payment receipt

How to renew Driving Licence in West Bengal

Here is how you can apply for Driving Licence renewal in West Bengal.

Step 1: Move to the Sarathi portal via the Parivahan website and pick “West Bengal”.
Step 2: Go to the “Apply for DL renewal” section and submit your online application with documents and payments.
Step 3: Get a printout of the renewal application acknowledgement.

The RTO officials will issue your renewed DL a few days after verification.

Duplicate Driving Licence in West Bengal

If you damage or lose your DL for some reason, the RTO will accept a request for a Duplicate Licence in West Bengal. Here are the steps to submit an application for the same.

Step 1: Reach the Sarathi website via the Parivahan Sewa portal.
Step 2: Select “West Bengal” and find the option called “Apply for Duplicate DL”.
Step 3: Fill in your online request with appropriate documents and payment to get a receipt.
Step 4: Visit the RTO for verification of the documents like the FIR (First Information Report) report, challan clearance, damaged DL copy, address and age proof, etc.

Please note that duplicate DL applications are accepted only within the first 6 months of losing the original.

International Driving Permit application in West Bengal

Follow these steps (online) if you need a 12-month International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an RTO in West Bengal.

Step 1: Go to the Parivahan platform, click on “Online Services” and then “Driving Licence Related Services”.
Step 2: Pick “West Bengal” and move to the section “Apply for IDP”.
Step 3: Submit your application online, pay the charges and get the acknowledgement slip.
Step 4: Go to the selected local RTO with the original copies of the documents and acknowledgement slip.
Step 5: Get the verification process done.

The RTOs usually take around seven working days to post/mail the IDP in West Bengal.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

These are some of the frequently asked questions related to Driving Licence in West Bengal.

FAQs

Where can I find more information about Driving Licence services in West Bengal?

You can visit the official website of the West Bengal Transport Department for Driving Licence related information.

When do I have to renew my Driving Licence in West Bengal?

A Driving Licence gets a limited validity of 20 years. Or, it expires earlier if the licence holder crosses the age of 40 years. Depending on what occurs first, you need to apply for the renewal of DL in West Bengal.

Do I have to pay for the tests related to DL application in West Bengal?

Yes, you need to pay Rs. 50 for the LL test and Rs. 300 for the driving test related to permanent DL application.

What is the validity of an International Driving Permit in West Bengal?

An International Driving Permit issued by an RTO in West Bengal remains valid for 12 months.

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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.