For a driving licence in Maharashtra, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) of Maharashtra runs the RTOs, and the applications themselves are made on the national Sarathi portal with Maharashtra selected as the state. Whether you search "sarthi Pune", "sarathi Maharashtra" or "driving licence Mumbai", the process is the same statewide.
Maharashtra has published detailed FAQs on its faceless services, so this page can go further than most: who can take the learning licence (LL) test without visiting an RTO, the exact steps, and how renewal by post works. We are an independent guide and not part of the department.
Which licence services are faceless in Maharashtra
The MVD lists four Sarathi-related faceless services:
| Service | Faceless since | Notes from the MVD |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's licence | 14 June 2021 | Aadhaar OTP; no additional fee for the faceless route |
| DL renewal | 2 June 2022 | Up to one year before or after expiry; card by speed post |
| Duplicate DL | 2 June 2022 | No additional fee; card by speed post |
| Change of address on DL | 2 June 2022 | No additional fee; card by speed post |
A new permanent DL is not on this list, because it needs a driving test.
Learning licence online Maharashtra: who qualifies
The faceless LL needs an OTP sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar, and you can only use your own Aadhaar. Your present address must be in Maharashtra, but you do not need to be physically in the state when you apply.
According to the MVD, the process is fully online with no RTO visit only when both of these are true:
- your present address matches the address on your Aadhaar, and
- you do not need a medical certificate, which in practice means you are under 40 and applying for a non-transport class.
If either condition fails, you visit the RTO for verification before the LL test. This matches the national rule that Form 1A is required for transport vehicles and applicants over 40.
Faceless learning licence steps
- Authenticate with Aadhaar. On Sarathi, choose Maharashtra and the learner licence service, and verify with the Aadhaar OTP.
- Fill Form 1. Complete the self-declaration of physical fitness.
- Upload your signature.
- Pay the fee online.
- Watch the road safety video. It is mandatory and cannot be skipped.
- Take the online test. Log in with your application number, date of birth and the password sent by SMS.
- Print the LL. After passing, print the learner licence using an OTP.
National rules set the pass mark at 60 per cent and cover traffic signs and signals, road rules, duties after an accident, unmanned railway crossings and documents to carry. Practise with our LL mock test, and see learning licence for the national rules on validity and retests.
Permanent driving licence in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and the rest of Maharashtra
The LL is valid for 6 months. You can apply for a permanent DL 30 days after receiving it, and you must apply before it expires. You apply on Sarathi, pay, and book a test slot, then pass a test of competence to drive before a Motor Vehicle Inspector. Online slot booking is not available at every RTO, and we could not read Maharashtra's own appointment rules, so check slot options for your RTO when you apply.
Since 1 September 2019, licensing can be done anywhere in a state. If you trained and passed the test at an accredited driver training centre, you are exempt from the RTO driving test under the national rules. Follow our driving licence online apply guide for the documents and the full sequence, and read two wheeler licence if you only need a bike licence.
Driving licence renewal online Maharashtra
The faceless renewal window in Maharashtra matches the national rule: up to one year before expiry or up to one year after. The renewed DL card is sent by speed post, and the MVD says there is no additional fee for using the faceless service.
If more than a year has passed since expiry, national rules require you to retake the driving test, and the late fee is ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for every year or part of a year of delay.
Under national rules, applicants aged 40 or more, and transport licence holders, need a Form 1A medical certificate for renewal. See driving licence renewal for validity periods.
Driving licence fees in Maharashtra
We could not verify a Maharashtra fee list. The central Rule 32 fees are the base everywhere, and states may add user charges:
- Learner licence: ₹150 per class, plus ₹50 for the LL test
- Driving test: ₹300 per class
- Issue of DL: ₹200
- Renewal: ₹200; duplicate DL: ₹400; change of address: ₹200
The total on the Sarathi payment page is what you pay. Our driving licence fees calculator lists every central item.
Status, download and help
Check driving licence application status in Maharashtra on Sarathi: select Maharashtra, then Apply Online and Application Status, and enter the application number. For a digital licence, use DigiLocker or mParivahan; electronic copies are legally recognised under a 2018 MoRTH advisory. See DL status and driving licence download.
For problems with the faceless LL, the MVD's FAQ names the Deputy Commissioner (Computer) as the contact, at dytccomp.tpt-mh@gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a learning licence in Maharashtra without going to the RTO?
Yes, if your present address matches your Aadhaar and you do not need a medical certificate (under 40 and non-transport). Otherwise you visit the RTO for verification before the test.
Is there an extra fee for the faceless LL in Maharashtra?
The MVD says there are no additional fees for the faceless service.
I am from Maharashtra but living elsewhere. Can I apply?
The MVD says your present address must be in Maharashtra, but you do not need to be physically present in the state to apply for the faceless LL.
How is a renewed DL delivered in Maharashtra?
For faceless renewal, duplicate and address change, the MVD says the DL card is sent by speed post.
How do I download my learning licence in Maharashtra?
After passing the online test, the MVD process lets you print the LL using an OTP on Sarathi.