Citizen Services

Apply Learner’s Licence Online — Sarathi Parivahan Step-by-Step Guide

A learner’s licence (LL) is the temporary permit that lets you learn to drive legally before a permanent driving licence. In India, new LL applications for most states are started on the official Sarathi portal of Parivahan Sewa (MoRTH) — not on random “licence agent” websites.

This guide helps you prepare documents, choose the right path on Sarathi, complete the LL test, and know what to do after Form 3 is issued. Soft note: menus, fees, Aadhaar options and online-test availability differ by State/UT — always follow the screens after you select your state on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.

Official portal: Sarathi — State Selection · Parivahan Sewa · Hub: Driving Licence Services

Who this guide is for

Use this page if you:

  • Need a new learner’s licence and want to apply through Sarathi
  • Are unsure which documents and age rules usually apply before you open the portal
  • Need a clear path: apply → pay → LL test → download Form 3 → wait → permanent DL

Visit / call your RTO (or follow Sarathi “without Aadhaar” instructions) if you:

  • Cannot complete e-KYC / Aadhaar authentication and your state requires office verification
  • Have name or address mismatches that the online form keeps rejecting
  • Need a category or endorsement that your state only processes at the counter

Easy Applications is an independent information desk — not MoRTH, Parivahan, Sarathi or any RTO.

What we verified

For this page we point only to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and parivahan.gov.in, keep fees and exact ages as soft claims (shown on state screens), and separate learner’s licence from permanent driving licence. Soft note: portal labels and available services change — reconfirm every fee and appointment on Sarathi before you pay.

Quick overview

Detail Information
Service Learner’s Licence (LL) — temporary licence to learn driving
Authority State RTO / Transport Department via Sarathi (MoRTH Parivahan Sewa)
Official website sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
Typical flow Select state → New LL application → form & documents → fee → LL test → download LL
Modes Aadhaar authentication (where enabled) or without Aadhaar (may need RTO visit)
Test Online AI-proctored or RTO centre — state-dependent
Next step Mandatory learner period → apply for permanent driving licence on Sarathi

What is a learner’s licence?

A learner’s licence is a temporary licence from the Regional Transport Office that allows you to practise driving under the conditions printed on the LL (and state rules). It is not a permanent driving licence.

Soft note: while learning, follow the conditions on your LL / state instructions (for example “L” board display and accompanied driving rules where they apply). Keep a digital or printed copy when you practise.

Who can apply? (Eligibility)

You can apply if you meet the age and vehicle-class rules for the category you select on Sarathi.

Vehicle category (general) Typical minimum age (soft note)
Motorcycles up to 50cc About 16 years (parent/guardian consent where required)
Motorcycles above 50cc · Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) About 18 years
Transport vehicle categories Often about 20 years, plus other qualifications as per rules

Soft note: exact classes and ages are shown after State Selection on Sarathi. Do not rely only on this table — pick the class the portal lists for your state.

Before you start

  1. Decide the vehicle class you actually need (wrong class wastes fee and time).
  2. Keep clear scans of ID, address and age proof ready (see below).
  3. Use a mobile number and email you can access for OTP / appointment messages.
  4. Prefer a desktop browser if uploads fail on mobile.
  5. Soft note: have your Aadhaar details ready if your state offers Aadhaar authentication — it often reduces office visits, but it is not identical in every state.

Documents usually needed

Accepted lists vary by state. Prepare scans before you begin.

Identity proof (examples)

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • PAN Card (where accepted as ID)
  • Other government ID your state lists

Address proof (examples)

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Electricity / water bill
  • Rental agreement (where accepted)
  • Bank passbook
  • Other proofs listed on Sarathi for your state

Age proof (examples)

  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Class 10 / matriculation certificate
  • Aadhaar (where accepted)

Often required extras

  • Photograph / signature if the portal asks
  • Form 1 fitness self-declaration
  • Form 1A medical certificate where your category/state requires it
  • Parent/guardian consent for eligible minor applicants

Tip: Name, date of birth and address should match across proofs and the online form. Mismatches are a common reason for RTO rejection.

Fees (do not guess the amount)

LL application, test and retest fees follow Motor Vehicles fee schedules plus any state components. Soft note: the exact rupee total appears on the Sarathi payment screen for your state and vehicle class — pay only that official total and save the e-receipt.

Payment notes Detail
When After form / document steps on Sarathi
Modes UPI, debit/credit card, net banking (as enabled)
After pay Save e-receipt and application number
Retest If you fail, soft note: pay retest fee via Fee Payments and rebook as shown

How to apply on Sarathi (step by step)

Step 1: Open the official portal and select your state

  1. Go to https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/ (or parivahan.gov.in → Drivers / Learners Licence).
  2. Open State Selection and choose your State / UT.
  3. Confirm the address bar shows sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.

Step 2: Start a new learner’s licence application

  1. Open the Learner Licence menu.
  2. Choose Application for New Learner’s Licence.
  3. Read the state-specific instructions on that screen before continuing.

Step 3: Choose application mode

Depending on your state, you may see:

  • Aadhaar Authentication — often smoother; some states allow more of the process online.
  • Without Aadhaar Authentication — may require an RTO visit for verification or testing.

Step 4: Fill the form carefully

Enter:

  • Name, date of birth, parent/guardian details
  • Mobile and email
  • Present / permanent address
  • Vehicle class (choose carefully)
  • Blood group / identification marks if asked

Review before submit — wrong vehicle class or DOB causes delays.

Step 5: Upload documents

Use clear, readable scans (correct file type/size). Soft note: blurry or cropped images are a frequent rejection reason.

Step 6: Form 1 / Form 1A

Complete Form 1 self-declaration online, or upload Form 1A when your category/state requires a medical certificate.

Step 7: Pay the fee

Pay only on the Sarathi gateway. Save the receipt and application number.

Step 8: Book the LL test (if required)

Select RTO/office, date and time when the portal asks. Soft note: some Aadhaar-enabled flows offer an online AI-proctored LL test instead of a centre visit — only where your state enables it.

Step 9: Take the learner’s licence test

The test generally covers traffic signs, road safety and basic driving regulations. Follow the mode shown for your application (centre or online). Carry application details and originals if the centre asks for verification.

Step 10: Download Form 3 (learner’s licence)

After you pass:

  1. Return to Sarathi with application number / DOB as guided.
  2. Use Print Learner Licence (Form 3) where available.
  3. Keep a PDF and a printed copy while learning.

Apply only on the official Sarathi Parivahan website — MoRTH

Apply Learner’s Licence (Sarathi Portal) Parivahan Sewa Home

After you get the learner’s licence

  1. Practise only under the conditions on your LL / state rules.
  2. Complete the mandatory learner period before a permanent DL application (soft note: commonly at least 30 days — confirm for your class).
  3. When eligible, apply for Driving Licence / book the skill test on the same Sarathi portal.
  4. Keep the LL valid until the permanent DL is issued.

Common problems and fixes

Problem What to try
State list / page not loading Use Chrome or Edge; clear cache; try again off peak; confirm sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
OTP not received Wait 30–60 seconds; check SMS spam; confirm mobile number; retry
Document upload fails Reduce file size; use JPG/PDF as allowed; ensure text is readable
Aadhaar authentication fails Retry later; or use the without Aadhaar path if your state offers it (may need RTO visit)
No test slots Check again on another day; use Fee Payments / Appointments menus for your state
Failed LL test Soft note: pay retest fee on Sarathi and rebook — do not pay agents for a “pass”
Cannot find Form 3 print State → Learner Licence → Print Learner Licence; use application number + DOB

Mistakes to avoid

Mistake Better approach
Wrong vehicle class Double-check class codes before payment
Unclear document scans Bright, flat, high-resolution images
Name / DOB mismatch Align Aadhaar, school certificate and form
Paying agents offline Pay only on the Sarathi gateway
Ignoring state screens RTO rules differ — follow instructions after State Selection
Applying for permanent DL too early Soft note: wait for the mandatory learner period shown for your LL
Resource Official link
Sarathi home / state selection sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
Parivahan Sewa parivahan.gov.in
LL related FAQs (Parivahan) Learners Licence FAQs
Driving Licence Services hub Driving Licence Services

Disclaimer

Easy Applications (EasyApplications.in) is not affiliated with MoRTH, Parivahan Sewa, Sarathi or any State Transport Department. Fees, online test availability, Aadhaar flows and document lists differ by state and can change. Complete applications only on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and follow on-screen RTO instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official website to apply for a learner’s licence?

Use only Sarathi under Parivahan Sewa: https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/ (also linked from parivahan.gov.in). Select your State/UT first. Soft note: do not use third-party apps or agents that ask for extra fees to “submit” an LL application.

What is the minimum age for a learner’s licence?

Soft note: under the Motor Vehicles framework, typical minimum ages are about 16 years for motorcycles up to 50cc (with parent/guardian consent where required), 18 years for motorcycles above 50cc and light motor vehicles (LMV), and higher ages for many transport vehicle categories. Exact class rules appear on Sarathi after you select your state — follow the on-screen category list.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for learner’s licence application?

Soft note: many states offer Aadhaar authentication for a smoother online flow. Some allow application without Aadhaar but may need RTO verification. Whether you can finish fully online (including an AI-proctored LL test) depends on your state on Sarathi.

How long must I wait before applying for a permanent driving licence?

Soft note: you normally must hold a valid learner’s licence for a mandatory learning period (commonly at least 30 days) before applying for a permanent driving licence and booking the skill test. Confirm the period shown on your LL / Sarathi instructions for your vehicle class.

How do I download or print my learner’s licence?

On sarathi.parivahan.gov.in select your state → Learner Licence → Print Learner Licence (Form 3), enter application number and date of birth, then download/print where the service is enabled.

What if I fail the learner’s licence test?

Soft note: you can usually pay a retest fee and book a fresh LL test through Sarathi (Fee Payments / Appointments after selecting your state). Follow the on-screen state instructions — do not pay anyone offline for a “pass guarantee”.

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