Parivahan Tamilnadu is the usual starting point for an LLR (learner licence) or a driving licence in Tamil Nadu, whether you are in Chennai or any other district. Licensing is handled by the Transport and Road Safety Commissionerate, Government of Tamil Nadu, whose website is tnsta.gov.in, and applications are made on Sarathi.
The Commissionerate publishes a clear step-by-step guide, so this page can be more specific than most. We are an independent guide, not a government office; the official links are in the sources.
LLR apply online Tamilnadu: the contactless flow
The Commissionerate's 2022 guide describes the contactless new learner licence like this:
- Start on parivahan.gov.in. Choose Tamil Nadu, then Issue of Learners Licence.
- Aadhaar authentication. Enter your Aadhaar number and the OTP. Your RTO is assigned automatically from the PIN code in your Aadhaar address.
- Note your application number. It is generated and sent by SMS; print the acknowledgement if you wish.
- Pay the fee online.
- Watch the road safety video. It must be watched in full, without fast-forwarding.
- Take the online LL test. Log in with the password sent by SMS. You need at least 60% to pass; if you fail, you take the online test again.
- Download the LL certificate.
More on the test format in our learning licence test guide, and practise with the LL mock test.
Applicants over 40 and transport vehicles
In the Tamil Nadu flow, applicants over 40 must upload a Form 1A medical certificate, and the RTO approves it before the test password is sent. Central rules also require Form 1A for anyone applying for a transport vehicle. Since 1 April 2021, Form 1A is issued electronically on the portal and is valid for six months.
Driving licence age limit in Tamil Nadu
Age limits come from Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act and apply in Tamil Nadu as everywhere: no one under 18 may drive a motor vehicle in a public place, Punjab Transport states that a motorcycle of up to 50cc may be driven from 16, and transport vehicles need a minimum age of 20. See our two wheeler licence guide if you are applying for a bike.
Tamilnadu driving licence apply: what to take to the test
The Commissionerate says the DL application is Form 2, submitted online at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. On test day, take:
- The Form 2 printout
- Your valid learner licence
- Documents of the vehicle you will use for the test: RC, insurance, tax card and PUC certificate
- Form 5 and Form 15, only if you trained at a driving school
Your LL is valid for 6 months, and you must apply for the DL before it expires. Full process: driving licence online apply.
The driving test and retest rules in Tamil Nadu
You must pass a test of competence to drive before a Motor Vehicle Inspector, under Rule 15 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. According to the Commissionerate, if you fail you can retake the test after 7 days, and after three failures there is no retest for 60 days. This waiting rule is published by Tamil Nadu; we have not confirmed it as a national rule.
Tips for the day are in our driving test guide.
Driving licence fees in Tamil Nadu
| Item | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| DL, single class | ₹800 | Tamil Nadu Commissionerate page (total) |
| DL, double class | ₹1,100 | Tamil Nadu Commissionerate page (total) |
| Learner licence, per class | ₹150 | Central Rule 32 |
| LL test or retest | ₹50 | Central Rule 32 |
| Renewal of DL | ₹200 | Central Rule 32 |
| Change of address | ₹200 | Central Rule 32 |
Central figures are base fees; state user charges are added on the payment page, so the amount you pay for renewal may be higher than ₹200. See driving licence fees.
Driving licence renewal online Tamilnadu and address change
Renewal can be applied for from one year before expiry to one year after expiry. Later than that, you retake the driving test and pay ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of delay. Change of address on a DL can be done online with Aadhaar authentication. Both start from services on DL on Sarathi with your DL number and date of birth.
Guides: driving licence renewal and change address on driving licence.
TN RTO application status and DL download
For status, open Sarathi, choose Tamil Nadu, click Apply Online, then Application Status. For a digital DL or a copy after loss, DigiLocker and mParivahan give an electronic DL that MoRTH has asked states to accept; a duplicate card is a separate service costing ₹400 under the central schedule. See DL status and driving licence download.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for LLR online in Tamil Nadu?
On parivahan.gov.in choose Tamil Nadu and Issue of Learners Licence, verify with Aadhaar OTP, pay, watch the road safety video and take the online test. You can download the LL after passing.
What is the pass mark for the Tamil Nadu LL test?
You need at least 60% correct answers. If you fail, you take the online test again.
What is the driving licence fee in Tamil Nadu?
The Commissionerate lists ₹800 for a single class and ₹1,100 for a double class DL. LL and renewal fees follow the central schedule plus user charges.
How soon can I retake a failed driving test in Tamil Nadu?
After 7 days, according to the Commissionerate. After three failures there is no retest for 60 days.
Do I need a medical certificate for an LLR in Tamil Nadu?
Yes if you are over 40 or applying for a transport vehicle. You upload Form 1A and the RTO approves it before the test password is sent.