The way you get a driving licence in Telangana changed recently. Telangana earlier used its own IT system for licences, and Deccan Chronicle described it as the last state to adopt the national Sarathi portal. Many people still search for a "TS driving licence", from the days of the TS code, and older guides still point to the old system.
This page sets out the timeline, what the Transport Department of Telangana publishes about learner licences, and where to check status or download your licence now. News reports are marked as reported news. We are an independent guide, not the department.
Telangana's switch to Sarathi: timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MoRTH's year-end review says Vahan and Sarathi are in all RTOs of 35 states and UTs, except Telangana | PIB |
| 30 April 2025 | Sarathi announced for launch at the North Zone RTA office, Trimulgherry, Secunderabad | Deccan Chronicle (news) |
| August 2025 | Sarathi extended to all Hyderabad RTOs | Telangana Today (news) |
| 1 September 2025 | Reported date for full rollout across all RTA offices; 23 RTAs had already switched | Deccan Chronicle (news) |
| 15 March 2026 | Planned date to join Vahan for vehicle registration | ETV Bharat (news) |
| 8 May 2026 | 17 faceless DL services announced on Sarathi with Aadhaar authentication | Siasat (news) |
According to Deccan Chronicle, the system Telangana used before Sarathi was run by a private contractor, CMS Computers.
TS or TG driving licence?
Siasat reported on 13 March 2024 that a MoRTH gazette notification dated 12 March 2024 approved TG in place of TS as Telangana's vehicle registration code. That is why you see both "TS driving licence" and "TG" in searches. The report is about registration plates; we found nothing saying an existing driving licence has to be changed because of it.
Learners licence Telangana: rules from the department
The Telangana Transport Department's learner licence page lists these age rules:
- 16 years: motorcycle without gear, with a declaration from a parent or guardian
- 18 years: non-transport vehicles
- 20 years: transport vehicles
Form 1A (medical certificate) is needed for transport vehicles or if you are over 40. The department offers a demo test at transport.telangana.gov.in demo test, and the page says no manual applications are allowed.
As of 12 October 2026, that same department page still linked LL slot booking to the old state system at tgtransport.net. We could not confirm whether that link still works or is a leftover. Since the Sarathi rollout, start applications on Sarathi with Telangana selected, and use the old link only if Sarathi or your RTA directs you there.
Nationally, the LL test needs 60 per cent to pass and the LL is valid for 6 months. See learning licence and practise on our LL mock test.
17 faceless DL services in Telangana
On 8 May 2026, as reported by Siasat, the department announced 17 faceless driving licence services on Sarathi using Aadhaar authentication. The report lists corrections and duplicates of the learner licence, DL renewal, duplicate DL, replacement and extracts among them. It does not mention a learner licence test from home, so we do not claim one for Telangana.
These match the national list of Aadhaar-based services notified in September 2022, which covers duplicate DL, renewal, replacement, change of address and more. Our guides to driving licence renewal and duplicate driving licence explain the national rules.
Telangana driving licence apply and slot booking
After 30 days with a learner licence, and before it expires, you can apply for the permanent DL. The steps follow the national pattern:
- Apply on Sarathi with Telangana selected and fill in the DL application.
- Upload documents and pay the fee online.
- Book a driving test slot. Slot booking is on the Sarathi menu, but online booking is not available at every office.
- Take the test before a Motor Vehicle Inspector at your RTA.
The full checklist is in driving licence online apply, and our driving test page covers what to expect.
TS driving licence status and download
For an application made on Sarathi, check status by selecting Telangana, then Apply Online and Application Status, and entering the application number. See DL status for what to do if it is stuck.
To get a digital copy (often searched as "TS driving licence download pdf"), use DigiLocker or mParivahan. Electronic licences shown through these apps are legally recognised under a 2018 MoRTH advisory, and the rules allow the DL to be produced in electronic form. Our driving licence download guide walks through it.
2 4 driving licence Telangana fee
A licence for both a two-wheeler and a four-wheeler covers two classes of vehicle. We could not verify Telangana's own totals, so here are the central Rule 32 fees, several of which are charged per class:
| Item | Central fee |
|---|---|
| Learner licence | ₹150 per class |
| LL test | ₹50 |
| Driving test | ₹300 per class |
| Issue of DL | ₹200 |
States may add user charges, so the Sarathi payment page shows the real total. See driving licence fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is Telangana on the Sarathi portal now?
Yes. News reports said Sarathi was to be rolled out across all RTA offices in Telangana by 1 September 2025, and Telangana appears on the Sarathi state list.
What is the minimum age for a learner licence in Telangana?
The department lists 16 for a gearless motorcycle with guardian declaration, 18 for non-transport vehicles and 20 for transport vehicles.
Can I take the Telangana LL test from home?
We could not confirm this. The May 2026 report on 17 faceless services does not mention an LL test from home.
Do I need to change my TS driving licence to TG?
The TG change reported in March 2024 concerns vehicle registration codes, and we found nothing saying existing licences must be changed.
How do I download my Telangana driving licence?
Use DigiLocker or mParivahan for a digital copy, which states have been asked to accept as valid.