Himachal Pradesh nestles in the heart of the Western Himalayas, boasting rich culture and tradition. Pollution-free environment and rapidly developing infrastructure are some advantages attracting people to this state. Moreover, transport plays a significant role in regional development, enhancing the potential growth of Himachal Pradesh's economy.
The system of the Transport Department of Himachal Pradesh is highly advanced, offering fully computerised services to vehicle owners here. These services include issuing and renewing a driving licence in Himachal Pradesh while carrying out necessary motor vehicle registration processes and issuing permits.
The Motor Vehicle Department of Himachal Pradesh has implied certain road rules for drivers. They must carry a valid driving licence whenever driving in and around this state. Below are the types of driving licences Himachal Pradesh RTO issues.
1. Commercial Driving Licence
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, the Himachal Pradesh Government furnishes 8 types of commercial driving licences to vehicle owners. However, before providing a licence, they ensure that an applicant is eligible to drive a commercial vehicle on Indian streets.
2. Learner’s Driving Licence
The learner's licence is valid for 6 months. However, an applicant can receive a learner's licence only after passing his/her driving test (written or online). Whenever you are driving a vehicle with a learner's licence, make sure you have another individual beside you holding a permanent driving licence.
3. Permanent Driving Licence
RTO Himachal Pradesh will issue a permanent driving licence post 6 months after you pass your driving test. After receiving a permanent driving licence, you can drive legally in Himachal Pradesh. Your age must be 18 years or above. However, maintain the road and traffic rules while driving a vehicle to avoid unnecessary penalties.
4. International Driving Licence
RTO Himachal Pradesh also issues an international driving licence so that individuals can drive or rent vehicles (4/2 wheelers) in a foreign land. You need not undergo driving tests and can visit 150 countries with an international driving licence. This type of licence also serves as identity proof for international travelling.
The eligibility criteria to apply for a Himachal Pradesh driving licence are as follows:
The applicant should apply for a permanent HP driving licence after 30 days or within 180 days from the date of issuance of the learner’s licence.
To get a driving licence in Himachal Pradesh, an applicant must submit the below list of documents:
1. Address Proof:
2. Age Proof:
3. Other Necessary Documents:
Following are the steps that will help you to apply for a driving licence in Himachal Pradesh online:
Step 1: Visit the official state government website.
Step 2: You will see a section for applying for a driving licence.
Step 3: Visit the Parivahan Sewa website provided on the site.
Step 4: Select the respective state and click ‘Apply for Driving Licence.’ Now, duly fill out the form and submit it online according to the steps specified. Upload the necessary documents as required.
Step 5: After uploading the documents, pay the fees.
Step 6: Visit the nearest RTO with copies of your original documents and book a slot for undergoing your driving test.
Step 7: After passing the driving test, you will receive a permanent driving licence within a few days.
To apply for a driving licence in Himachal Pradesh offline, applicants can follow the below steps:
Step 1: First, collect an application form from the RTO in Himachal Pradesh.
Step 2: Duly fill in the form and attach the necessary documents along with it.
Step 3: Submit the form and pay the fee.
Step 4: Book a specific date and time to undergo the driving test.
Step 5: On the specified date, arrive for the driving test with your vehicle. Your vehicle must be of the same class for which you are applying for a driving licence.
Step 6: After passing the driving test you will receive a driving licence within a few days.
List of RTO Offices Where You Can Apply for a Driving Licence in Himachal Pradesh
| Registering Authority | RTO Code |
| Bilaspur | HP24 and HP69 |
| Ghumarwin | HP23 |
| Jhandutta | HP89 |
| Naina Deviji at Swarghat | HP91 |
| Bharmour | HP46 |
| Chowari | HP57 |
| Churah | HP44 |
| Chamba | HP48 |
| Dalhousie | HP47 |
| Pangi | HP45 |
| Salooni | HP81 |
| Chamba | HP73 |
| Barsar | HP21 |
| Bhoranj | HP74 |
| Hamirpur | HP22 |
| Nadaun | HP55 |
| Sujanpur | HP84 |
| Hamirpur | HP67 |
| Baijnath | HP53 |
| Dharamshala | HP39 |
| Dehra | HP36 |
| Jawali | HP54 |
| Jaisinghpur | HP56 |
| Kangra | HP40 AND HP68 |
| Nurpur | HP38 |
| Palampur | HP37 |
| Jawalaji | HP83 |
| Fatehpur | HP88 |
| Shahpur | HP90 |
| Nagrota Bagwan | HP94 |
| Dheera | HP96 |
| Indora | HP97 |
| Nichar | HP26 |
| Kalpa | HP25 |
| Pooh | HP27 |
| Anni | HP35 |
| Banjar | HP49 |
| Kullu | HP34 and HP66 |
| Manali | HP58 |
| Keylong | HP42 |
| Kaza | HP41 |
| Udaipur | HP43 |
| Gohar | HP32 |
| Jogindernagar | HP29 |
| Karsog | HP30 |
| Mandi Sadar | HP33 |
| Padhar | HP76 |
| Sarkaghat | HP28 |
| Sundernagar | HP31 |
| Dharampur | HP86 |
| Balh | HP82 |
| Thunag | HP87 |
| Mandi | HP65 |
| Chopal | HP08 |
| Dodra Kawar | HP77 |
| Rampur | HP06 |
| Rohru | HP10 |
| Shimla Urban | HP03 |
| Shimla Rural | HP51 |
| Theog | HP09 |
| Kumarsain | HP95 |
| Shimla | HP 63 |
| Rampur | HP92 |
| Nahan | HP18 |
| Paonta Sahib | HP17 |
| Rajgarh | HP16 |
| Sangrah | HP79 |
| Shillai | HP85 |
| Sirmaur | HP71 |
| Pachhad | HP16AA |
| Arki | HP11 |
| Kandaghat | HP13 |
| Nalagarh | HP12 |
| Solan | HP14 and HP64 |
| Parwanoo | HP15 |
| Nalagarh | HP93 |
| Amb | HP82 |
| Una | HP20 and HP72 |
| Bangana | HP78 |
| Haroli | HP80 |
| Gagret | HP19AA |
More than 1.6 million motor vehicles across RTO Offices in Himachal Pradesh were registered at the end of the fiscal year 2019. If you have any queries related to your driving licence in Himachal Pradesh, you can contact the concerned office of RTO.
Some of the functions carried out by RTO offices in Himachal Pradesh include the following:
The steps to check your driving licence status online include the following:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Sarathi Parivahan
Step 2: Now, select from the drop-down menu ‘Online Services’ and choose ‘Driving Licence Related Services’.
Step 3: It will redirect you to a new page. Open this page and select your state - Himachal Pradesh.
Step 4: Now select from the main menu ‘Application Status’. Enter this application number, date of birth, and Captcha code.
Step 6: Submit it to check your application status.
Vehicle owners of Himachal Pradesh can apply for a duplicate driving licence via the Sarathi portal or through the nearest RTO. Below are the steps to apply for duplicate driving licence:
● Online Method:
Step 1: Download the LLD form online through the Sarathi portal.
Step 2: Duly fill out the LLD form, attach passport-size photographs, and provide your signature.
Step 3: Now, get the printed copies of all necessary documents and sign them.
Step 4: Visit the nearest RTO office that issued your original driving licence.
Step 5: Submit this LLD form attaching the necessary documents. However, you will not have to undergo any driving test.
Step 6: Pay the fee and gather a receipt from the RTO office. This receipt serves as a temporary driving licence until you get a new one.
You will receive your duplicate driving licence via post at your registered residential address.
● Offline Method:
Step 1: Visit the RTO in Himachal Pradesh and submit the LLD form after duly filing out the form and providing the necessary details.
Step 2: Attach all the required documents along with the form before submitting it.
Step 3: Pay the fees, and ask for the payment receipt.
You can use this receipt temporarily until you receive the driving licence at your registered address.
However, before applying for a duplicate driving licence, you must visit the nearest police station to register an FIR. In addition, visit the notary officer to collect an affidavit explaining that your driving licence is lost or stolen.
As per the Department of Transport, Himachal Pradesh, you can renew your driving licence by applying to the Regional Transport Office/ Registering & Licensing Authority. Additionally, you can apply online on the Sarathi portal.
Here are two ways to renew a driving licence in Himachal Pradesh:
● Online Method:
Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan Sewa and under the ‘Online Services’ section, click ‘Driving Licence Related Services’.
Step 2: Select your state’s name - Himachal Pradesh from where you want to avail of the driving licence service. This page will redirect you to the next one.
Step 3: On the next page, you will find several services related to a driving licence. Select ‘Apply for Driving Licence renewal’ from there.
Step 4: You will land on a new webpage detailing all the instructions related to application submission. Duly fill in the application form.
Step 5: Upload the essential documents with a photo and your digitised signature. However, this step applies to specific websites.
Step 6: Complete the payment process and verify payment status.
Once you complete these above steps, you will see your application ID on the ‘Acknowledgement Page’. Use it for future reference.
● Offline Method:
Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO office carrying all the necessary documents. If you are applying for the renewal of your driving licence from another state, submit all the documents and NOC for the vehicle.
Step 2: Furnish your driving licence details along with a passport-size photograph.
Step 3: Complete the payment process. However, officials might ask you to book a slot for a driving test if there are changes in your medical certificate.
Step 4: If you successfully pass the driving test, you will get a new driving licence.
Besides, if you fail to renew a driving licence after 5 years from the expiry date, you will have to apply for a new driving licence. It is because the earlier document will lose its validity. A driving licence confirms that all vehicle owners know the road and traffic rules and signals.
The steps to apply for a smart card driving licence in Himachal Pradesh are hassle-free. You can opt for the online or offline mode to acquire your driving licence in a smart card format. Below are the steps explaining the ways you can receive one in a smart card format. Please note that this method is applicable for a new driving licence and not for converting your old driving licence into a new smart card version:
● Online Method:
Step 1: First, visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa.
Step 2: The page will display the ‘Online Services’. Select ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ from its drop-down menu.
Step 3: Select the name of your state (in this case Himachal Pradesh) and ‘RTO.’
Step 4: Select the ‘New Driving Licence’ option from the ‘Apply Online’ drop-down menu. It is applicable if you have a Learner’s Licence. If you do not have a learner’s licence, you will have to gather a learner’s licence first.
Step 5: Duly fill in the form mentioning the details. Then, upload the necessary documents, your photo and your signature.
Step 6: Book a driving licence test slot, and pay the fees. Authorities will collect your biometric details to proceed further.
Step 7: Visit the RTO office to undergo your driving test.
Once you pass this test, you will acquire your smart card driving licence through a registered post at your residential address.
● Offline Method:
Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO office (Himachal Pradesh). Gather an application form for a smart card driving licence. In addition, collect the physical fitness and medical certificate form.
Step 2: Duly fill out these forms mentioning the details as required.
Step 3: Attach every document required, and submit your application request to the RTO.
Step 4: You must pay the fee depending on the vehicle type for which you need a driving licence. Make the payment and collect a receipt.
Step 5: Select a time slot for your driving test based on availability. Undergo the driving licence test as per the schedule.
Step 6: After passing the driving licence test, it will direct you towards the biometric collection hub.
You will receive your smart card driving licence via registered post at your residential address.
A smart card driving licence has several advantages. If you have an old driving licence, you can convert your paper/plastic driving licence to the new smart card driving licence. Below are the steps explaining how to convert the old book-based driving licence to the new smart card version:
Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO and ask for a licence upgrade form or smart card driving licence form.
Step 2: Duly fill out the form attaching all relevant documents. Then submit the biometric information to the officials.
Step 3: Pay the applicable fees, collect the receipt and use it until your smart card driving licence arrives.
You can acquire your new smart card driving licence at your registered address.
If you require an international driving permit, you can choose either the online or the offline method. However, the online application procedure to receive an international driving licence is simple and hassle-free:
● Online Method:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Sarathi Parivahan.
Step 2: Select the state (Himachal Pradesh) and apply for an ‘international driving permit.’
Step 3: Now, download and fill out the forms - Form 4A and Form 1A
Step 4: Provide the details of your driving licence, and upload identity and residential proofs.
Step 5: Attach the necessary documents with these forms and pay fees during submission.
Step 6: Take the driving test.
If your application is successful, you will receive your international driving licence within a few days.
● Offline Method:
Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO office and gather a form for an international driving permit.
Step 2: Fill required details in the application form and specify the countries you want to visit. Attach the necessary documents with it while submitting it to the officials.
Step 3: Pay the fees and you will receive your driving licence at your registered address.
You must know the basic traffic rules and traffic symbols to pass the driving licence test successfully. Below are some tips to help you clear the driving test:
Tip 1: Always try to reach the venue before the test time. It will prevent last-minute hiccups.
Tip 2: Ensure you grab the steering wheels in the correct position and drive smoothly.
Tip 3: Always keep your eyes on the road and focus on the traffic symbols.
Tip 4: Ensure to carry all the necessary documents with you during the test day. It includes your address and age proof, identity proof, etc.
Tip 5: If you are not confident about your driving skills, it is better not to attempt the driving test as it might lead to unnecessary errors.
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Disclaimer: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
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