For a driving licence in Karnataka, you deal with two official bodies: the Transport Department, Government of Karnataka, whose RTOs check documents and test drivers, and the national Sarathi portal, where Karnataka appears on the list of states with online licence services. Searches like "parivahan Karnataka" or "Karnataka RTO website" usually lead to one of these two.
The Karnataka Transport Department website blocked automated reading during our research, so this page sticks to what we could verify and explains the national rules that apply in Karnataka just as anywhere else. It is an independent guide; apply only on the official sites.
Karnataka RTO website and Sarathi
The Karnataka Transport Department site is transport.karnataka.gov.in. Search indexes show it has pages titled "Contactless Services", "Parivahan Online services" and "Sakala Services", but we could not open them, so we do not describe what they contain.
For licence applications, Karnataka is on the Sarathi state list, and MoRTH's 2023 year-end review says Sarathi was implemented in all RTOs of 35 states and UTs, with Telangana the only exception at that time. Sarathi's service menu covers a new LL, the LL test tutorial and mock test, online LL test, new DL, renewal, duplicate, change of address, IDP, DL extract, slot booking, fee payment, application status and grievances.
The Sarathi state page says DL services should be used only through parivahan.gov.in or the NextGen mParivahan app, and asks you to keep your mobile number updated in Sarathi. OTPs go to that number.
Learner licence in Karnataka
Since April 2021 the national rules have made the whole learner licence process online: you apply and pay on the portal, complete a safe-driving tutorial within seven days, and take an objective online test within seven days, subject to availability. The pass mark is 60 per cent. Once you pass, the LL is issued electronically and you can download it.
We could not confirm whether Karnataka offers the LL test from home with Aadhaar, so follow whatever Sarathi shows after you select Karnataka. If your application shows the status "Application is under scrutiny and processing at RTO Level", you need to visit the RTO for document verification and biometrics.
Read learning licence for documents and age rules, and prepare with the learning licence test guide.
How to get a driving licence in Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka
- Wait 30 days after your LL. The LL is valid for 6 months, and you must apply for the DL before it expires.
- Apply on Sarathi. Choose Karnataka, then the new DL service, and fill in your details.
- Upload documents and pay. National rules ask for proof of age and proof of residence, plus Form 1A if you are over 40 or applying for a transport vehicle.
- Book the driving test. Use slot booking if your RTO offers it online; not every RTO does.
- Pass the test. You drive before a Motor Vehicle Inspector, unless you hold a certificate from an accredited driver training centre, which exempts you from the RTO test.
Since 1 September 2019 licensing can be done anywhere in a state, so Bengaluru residents are not tied to one office in principle. See driving licence online apply and driving test for more detail.
Karnataka driving licence renewal
Renewal can be applied for from one year before expiry to one year after it, and since April 2021 you can apply to any licensing authority in the state. How long a renewed non-transport licence lasts depends on your age when it is issued or renewed:
| Age at issue or renewal | Non-transport DL valid |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Until you turn 40 |
| 30 to under 50 | 10 years |
| 50 to under 55 | Until you turn 60 |
| 55 or older | 5 years |
A transport licence is valid for five years. Renewal costs ₹200 at the central rate; after more than a year past expiry it is ₹300 plus ₹1,000 per year or part of a year, and the driving test must be retaken. Use the checker on driving licence renewal.
DL status, DL extract and download in Karnataka
To check driving licence status in Karnataka, open Sarathi, select Karnataka, then Apply Online and Application Status, and enter your application number. Keep that number safe: it is also how you upload a photo and signature later. Cancelling an application on Sarathi is permanent and fees are not refunded, so think before you cancel.
A DL extract is one of the Sarathi services. For a digital copy of the licence itself, DigiLocker and mParivahan are the official options, and electronic copies are legally recognised under a 2018 MoRTH advisory. See DL status, online DL check and driving licence download.
Driving licence fees in Karnataka
No Karnataka-specific fee table could be verified. The central fees apply as the base, and mParivahan notes that user charges may be added:
| Item | Central fee |
|---|---|
| Learner licence, per class | ₹150 |
| LL test or retest | ₹50 |
| Driving test or retest, per class | ₹300 |
| Issue of DL | ₹200 |
| Addition of another class | ₹500 |
| Duplicate DL | ₹400 |
If you want both a two-wheeler and a car on your licence, the LL and driving test fees are charged per class. Details: driving licence fees.
Traffic fines in Bengaluru
Traffic challans are a separate system from your licence. Bengaluru Traffic Police fines go through BTP's own channels, and the national eChallan portal lets you check challan status. As Deccan Herald reported in November 2025, fines booked by the Karnataka transport department itself must be paid in person at the RTO. Payment channels and past discount schemes are covered on our Bangalore traffic fines page.
Frequently asked questions
Which website is used for a driving licence in Karnataka?
Applications are made on the Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) after selecting Karnataka. The state Transport Department runs the RTOs.
How do I check my Karnataka DL application status?
On Sarathi, select Karnataka, choose Apply Online and then Application Status, and enter your application number.
Can I renew my Karnataka driving licence after it expires?
Yes. You can apply up to one year after expiry without retaking the driving test. If you apply later than that, you pay the late fee of ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year and must pass the driving test again. The Sarathi payment page shows the exact amount for your case.
Is a digital driving licence valid in Karnataka?
A MoRTH advisory asked all states to accept a DL shown through DigiLocker or mParivahan as valid, and the rules allow the licence to be produced in electronic form.
Can I take the learner licence test from home in Karnataka?
We could not confirm this for Karnataka. Check the options Sarathi shows after you select Karnataka.