A learning licence, also called a learner's licence or LL, lets you practise driving on public roads before you take the driving test for a permanent driving licence (DL). Since 1 April 2021 the complete process of granting a learner's licence has been online: you apply and pay on the Sarathi portal, watch a road safety tutorial, take an objective test, and download the LL once you pass.
This guide covers age, documents, fees, the online application, the Aadhaar-based route from home, download and print, status, validity, and what to do next. It is an independent guide, not a government site; you apply only on the official Sarathi portal.
Learning licence age
| Vehicle | Minimum age |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle of up to 50cc | 16, as stated by Punjab Transport (some states ask for guardian consent) |
| Other motorcycles, scooters and cars (non-transport) | 18 |
| Transport vehicles | 20, under Section 4(2) |
There is no minimum educational qualification: Rule 8 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules was omitted in September 2019.
Documents required for learning licence
- Proof of age and address. Chhattisgarh Transport, for example, accepts birth certificate, matriculation certificate, passport, Aadhaar, PAN or election photo ID for date of birth, and Aadhaar, electricity bill, passport, ration card with photo, election card and others for address.
- Form 2, the learner's licence application, filled online. Since 2021 it includes a self-declaration of physical fitness. Some state flows, such as Maharashtra's, also show Form 1, the self-declaration of fitness, as a step.
- Form 1A medical certificate if you are applying for a transport vehicle, or if you are over 40 (Tamil Nadu's flow asks applicants over 40 to upload it).
- Photo and signature for upload.
- Aadhaar with a linked mobile number if you use the Aadhaar-based online route.
More detail: documents required for driving licence.
How to apply for a learning licence online
- Open Sarathi and select your state. Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and pick your state, then the learner's licence service.
- Authenticate. On the Aadhaar route you enter your Aadhaar number and an OTP; in Tamil Nadu the RTO is assigned automatically from your Aadhaar PIN code.
- Fill Form 2 and choose the class or classes. On submission an application number is generated and sent to you by SMS. Print or save the acknowledgement.
- Upload photo, signature and documents. Photo and signature can also be uploaded later through Apply Online, Application Status, using your application number.
- Pay the fee online.
- Watch the safe-driving tutorial. It must be completed within seven days of applying. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra say the video must be watched in full without skipping.
- Take the online test. Also within seven days of applying, subject to availability. You need at least 60 per cent correct.
- Download your LL. It is issued electronically in Form 3 as soon as the conditions are met.
Test details, slot booking and retests: learning licence test. Practise with the LL mock test.
Online learning licence from home with Aadhaar
The National Government Services Portal describes the online LL route as application and fee payment, then an AI-proctored test using Aadhaar-based authentication and face recognition, with instant download once you clear it. Aadhaar-based services are voluntary; you can still apply through the RTO.
How it works differs by state. Some examples from state sources:
- Maharashtra: faceless LL since 14 June 2021, with no additional fee. It is fully online only if your present address matches Aadhaar and no medical certificate is needed (under 40, non-transport); otherwise you visit the RTO for verification before the test.
- Tamil Nadu: Aadhaar OTP, online fee, road safety video, online test with an SMS password, then download.
- Goa: online LL from 5 July 2021 without visiting the RTO.
- Delhi: the department lists an "Online LL Test (STALL)" and a computer-based test.
- Rajasthan: the published office route uses a touch-screen kiosk at the office for the test.
Check your state's page on driving licence state wise.
Learning licence fees
| Item (Rule 32 CMVR) | Central fee |
|---|---|
| Issue of learner's licence (Form 3), per class | ₹150 |
| Learner's licence test or repeat test | ₹50 |
Note 2 of the fee table says the fees for the LL, the LL test and the driving test (serials 1, 2 and 3) are paid together when applying. States also add service or user charges, so learners licence cost varies. Examples from state pages:
- Delhi: ₹500 for one category, ₹950 for two, ₹1,400 for three.
- Puducherry: ₹230 for a single class, ₹410 for two classes.
- Maharashtra: no additional fee for the faceless LL service.
Full table: driving licence fees.
Learning licence download and print
The learner's licence is issued electronically in Form 3, in printable form. On passing the online test you can download it straight away. Maharashtra's flow lets you print the LL after verifying with an OTP.
If you need it again later, open Sarathi, select your state and use the learner's licence services. MoRTH's 2022 list of Aadhaar-based online services includes duplicate LL, LL extract and changes to name, address and photo on an LL.
Save the PDF and keep your application number and LL number together. You need them for the DL application.
Learning licence status and common problems
To check learning licence status on Sarathi: select your state, click Apply Online, then Application Status, and enter your application number.
- "Application is under scrutiny and processing at RTO Level": you need to visit the RTO for physical document verification and biometrics.
- Paid twice: Sarathi cannot refund a double payment; contact your RTO or transport department.
- Want to cancel: cancelling is permanent, the file is closed and fees are not refunded.
- Forgot a class: you can add one more class through Modify Applications, Add Class of Vehicles. Classes already on the application cannot be removed.
- Missed the test: rebook through Appointments, subject to available slots.
More on tracking: DL status.
Learning licence validity and renewal
A learner's licence is valid across India for 6 months. After it expires the process must be restarted: you apply for a fresh LL. You cannot apply for a DL on an expired LL.
If you hold a driving licence that has expired, you do not need a new LL to renew it: a renewal filed after expiry does not need an effective learner's licence (Rule 18(4)). See driving licence renewal.
After the learning licence: applying for your DL
State transport pages, including Odisha, Puducherry and Rajasthan, say you can apply for the permanent DL 30 days after getting the LL. Delhi says you must hold the LL for at least 30 days and apply within its 6-month validity. Use that time to practise.
Rajasthan's rule on L-plates: a red "L" on a white background, front and rear. Then follow driving licence online apply to book your driving test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age for a learning licence?
18 for cars and most two-wheelers, and 20 for transport vehicles. Punjab Transport states that a motorcycle of up to 50cc may be driven from 16.
What are the learning licence fees?
The central fee is ₹150 per class plus ₹50 for the test. States add service charges; Delhi, for example, lists ₹500 for one category.
How long is a learning licence valid?
6 months, across India. After it expires you must start the process again.
Can a learning licence be renewed?
Sarathi's guidance is that after the 6-month validity ends the process must be restarted, so you apply for a fresh LL. Apply for your DL before the LL expires.
How do I download my learning licence?
It is issued electronically in Form 3 and can be downloaded as soon as you pass the online test. Later, use the learner's licence services on Sarathi for your state.
How do I check my learning licence status?
On Sarathi, select your state, click Apply Online, then Application Status, and enter your application number.
Can I apply for a learning licence without visiting the RTO?
In many cases, yes, through the Aadhaar-based online route. You may still need an RTO visit if your address differs from Aadhaar, you need a medical certificate, or your state requires it.