The driving test, officially the test of competence to drive, is the last step before you get a permanent driving licence (DL). You take it in the vehicle class you applied for, and an inspector checks whether you can drive safely. Passing it is what turns your learner licence (LL) into a DL.
This guide explains DL slot booking on the Sarathi portal, what to bring, how RTO test tracks and automated tracks work, the fees, what happens if you fail, and when a driving school certificate lets you skip the RTO test. Rules can differ by state, and we note where a fact comes from one state only.
When you can take the driving test
You need a valid learner licence first. Transport departments such as Odisha, Puducherry and Rajasthan say you can apply for the permanent DL 30 days after getting the LL. The LL is valid for 6 months, and you must apply for the DL before it expires, because a DL cannot be applied for on an expired LL. If it lapses, you start again with a new learning licence.
The test is also needed in a few other cases: adding a new class of vehicle to your DL, and renewing a DL more than one year after it expired. Most other services on an existing DL, such as a duplicate or change of address, do not need a test slot.
DL slot booking on the Sarathi portal
Driving test slot booking is done on the Sarathi portal, which lists Slot Booking as one of its licence services. The general flow published by state transport departments is:
- Choose your state. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state before starting any service.
- Apply for the driving licence. Fill in the DL application while your LL is valid, upload documents and pay the fee online.
- Book the DL test slot. Pick an available date and time at your RTO.
- Attend the test. Go on the booked day with the fee receipt, the application printout and your original documents.
Online slot booking is not available at every RTO. If you cannot see slots for your office, contact the RTO. Book only on the official site; the Sarathi state selection page warns that DL services should be used only through parivahan.gov.in or the NextGen mParivahan app.
For the full application steps, read driving licence online apply.
Documents required for the driving licence test
Tamil Nadu's transport department publishes this list for the DL test, and it is a good checklist for other states too:
- The printout of your DL application form
- Your valid learner licence
- Documents of the vehicle you will drive in the test: registration certificate (RC), insurance, tax card and PUC certificate
- Form 5 and Form 15, only if you trained at a driving school
Uttarakhand asks applicants to come with the fee receipt, the form and their originals. Applicants for a transport vehicle licence also need a Form 1A medical certificate and a driving certificate, under Rule 14 CMVR. Check the full documents required for driving licence list before your test day.
What happens at the RTO driving test
The test of competence is conducted under Rule 15 CMVR before a Motor Vehicle Inspector. You drive the class of vehicle you applied for, so a two wheeler licence test is taken on a motorcycle or scooter and an LMV test in a car. If you are applying for an adapted vehicle, the test needs a duly registered adapted vehicle.
The exact manoeuvres differ by state and by RTO, and there is no single national list. As one example, Kerala's Motor Vehicles Department says Part I of its test uses an "8" track for two and three wheelers and an "H" track for four wheelers, and Part II is a road test.
RTO driving test track and automated tracks
Some states use automated driving test tracks. The summary of the 2019 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act said driving tests would be computerised. Some state facts:
- Andhra Pradesh had 10 automated driving test tracks operational, according to NIC in July 2025.
- Gujarat's transport commissionerate site has an Automated Driving Test Track video album, and Rajasthan's site lists an Automated Driving Test Track page.
- The national driver training guidelines revised on 15 January 2025 added driving simulators and automated driving test tracks to training institutes.
Ask at your RTO which kind of track it uses, and practise on a similar layout if you can.
Driving test pass score and results
People often ask about the driving test pass score. The 60 per cent pass mark applies to the online learner licence test, not to the practical driving test. The practical test is judged by the inspector or the automated track system, and no national score for it is published in the rules we checked.
To check your DL test result and what happens next, use Application Status on Sarathi with your application number. If your status says the application is under scrutiny and processing at RTO level, you need to visit the RTO for document verification and biometrics. See DL status for more help.
Driving test fees and retests
| Item (Rule 32 CMVR) | Central fee |
|---|---|
| Test or repeat test of competence to drive, per class | ₹300 |
| Issue of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Addition of another class of vehicle | ₹500 |
States add their own service charges, so totals differ. More in driving licence fees.
If you fail, retest rules are set by the state. Tamil Nadu says a failed test can be retaken after 7 days, and after three failures there is no retest for 60 days. Odisha asks you to pay the retest fee and book another slot, and says the retest fee is payable for 3 times only. Under Section 9(5) of the Motor Vehicles Act as amended in 2019, an applicant who fails the re-test must complete a remedial driver training course.
Skipping the RTO test with an accredited driving school
Under the Accredited Driver Training Centre (ADTC) rules in force from 1 July 2021, candidates who pass the test at an accredited centre are exempted from the driving test at the RTO when they apply for a licence. Since a 2022 amendment, trainees must pass the test of competence to drive to get the proficiency certificate.
In May 2024 some media reported that from 1 June 2024 driving tests could be taken at private driving schools instead of RTOs. We found no new 2024 notification; the rule behind those reports is the 2021 ADTC framework, and it applies only to accredited centres. Read more on our driving school page.
Tips to pass the driving test
- Practise in the same type of vehicle you will use on test day, and make sure its RC, insurance and PUC are valid.
- Arrive early. Rajasthan, for its LL test, asks applicants to come 15 minutes before the slot; it is a good habit for any test.
- Wear a helmet on a two wheeler test and your seat belt in a car, and check mirrors before moving off.
- Signal before every turn or lane change and keep to the left.
- Drive smoothly and do not rush.
- Revise road signs and traffic light rules, because road tests include junctions and signals.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a DL test slot online?
Choose your state on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, apply for the driving licence, pay the fee and use the slot booking option to pick a date at your RTO. Online slots are not available at every RTO.
What is the driving test pass score?
The 60 per cent pass mark is for the online learner licence test. The practical driving test is judged by the inspector or an automated track, and no national score is published in the rules.
How soon after the learner licence can I take the driving test?
State transport departments say you can apply for the DL 30 days after getting the LL. You must apply before the LL expires at 6 months.
What is the fee for the driving test?
The central fee for a test or repeat test of competence is ₹300 per class of vehicle. States may add service charges.
How can I check my driving test result?
Use Application Status on the Sarathi portal with your application number to see the progress of your DL application.
Do I need to take the RTO test if I trained at a driving school?
Not if you passed the test at an Accredited Driver Training Centre. The exemption in the ADTC rules applies to accredited centres, so ask a school whether it is accredited.