How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Jharkhand in 2026?

As a popular tourist spot, Jharkhand is home to famous sights such as Dassam Falls and Parasnath Hill. This state is also a rich source of various minerals such as iron ore, coal, bauxite, dolomite and so on.

Jharkhand has a robust roadways network in the state to facilitate the transportation of minerals. To maintain swift traffic operations, the Transport Department of the Government of Jharkhand plays vital administrative duties in this state. One of its main functions is to provide a driving Licence in Jharkhand. It further enforces regulations regarding commercial and private vehicle movement in the state.

There are primarily four types of driving licences offered by the Transport Department of Jharkhand. Find all about them below:

1. Learner’s Licence

A learner’s licence is provided when a candidate is still learning to drive a vehicle. This licence is valid for up to 6 months. In 6 months, if the candidate is still not ready, they must apply for their learner’s licence again. However, while holding a learner’s licence, drivers must be accompanied by another experienced driver.

2. Permanent Licence

After 6 months, the permanent licence is issued. However, there are certain conditions. Candidates must be above 18 years of age and must have cleared the driving test to obtain a permanent driving licence. This licence is valid for 20 years or until the licence holder turns 50. When licence holders turn 50, they must renew their driving licence, irrespective of the issue date.

3. Commercial Licence

A commercial driving licence is issued to those who drive commercial or transport vehicles like buses, cabs, or goods-carrying vehicles. Unlike a permanent licence, candidates must be above 20 to be eligible for a commercial driving licence. Moreover, a candidate must qualify for the 8th standard and have a minimum driving experience of 1 year.

4. International Vehicle Permit

An international driving license allows individuals to drive in a foreign country. Candidates must hold a permanent driving licence before applying for an International Driving Permit. This permit remains valid for a year; candidates must apply for it again after it expires.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, an individual must hold a valid driving licence to drive a motor vehicle in Jharkhand. In order to apply for a driving licence in Jharkhand, each applicant must fulfil the following conditions:

• For vehicles with engine capacity less than 50 cc, the candidate must be at least 16 years old.
• To get a permanent driving licence for two/four wheeler vehicles with engine capacity of more than 50 cc, the applicant has to be 18 years old.
• A candidate must be a minimum of 20 years old to obtain a commercial driving licence in Jharkhand.  
• A candidate with a learner's licence is also eligible to apply for a permanent driving licence within six months of obtaining a learner's licence.

The candidate must be familiar with traffic rules and regulations in Jharkhand.

Documents required to apply for a driving licence in Jharkhand are as follows:

1. Proof of Age

Documents that can be provided as proof of age are mentioned below:

• Voter ID
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Utility Bills
• Employment Certificate from the Central or State Government

2. Address Proof

The documents that can be provided as address proof are mentioned below:

• Voter ID
• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Ration Card
• LIC Policy Bonds

3. Other Necessary Documents

Documents necessary to apply for a driving licence are mentioned below:

• Application form 2/4
• Driving Licence Form 5 for those applying for a commercial driving licence
• Passport size photographs
• Application fee charges

Residents of Jharkhand can easily apply for a driving licence online. To apply for the same, you can follow the below-mentioned procedure:

• Step 1: Visit the official portal of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of the Government of India.

• Step 2: Under the Licence Related Services section, click on “Drivers/Learners Licence”.

• Step 3: Click on the drop-down box and choose the state as Jharkhand.

An individual willing to obtain a driving licence in Jharkhand may apply for the same by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO office and collect Form 4.

Note: You must have a valid learner’s licence in order to apply for a permanent driving licence.

• Step 2: Fill out the form mentioning all the relevant details as required.
• Step 3: Submit the form and pay the requisite application fees.
• Step 4: Verify your documents with the concerned authority.
• Step 5: Book a date and time slot for the driving test.
• Step 6: Appear for the test on the specified date.

After passing the driving test, the RTO will process your request for a permanent driving licence in Jharkhand.

On holding a learner’s licence for more than 30 days, you can apply for a permanent driving licence. This is when each learner is tested on different parameters of their driving capability. Here is the procedure to procure a driving licence in Jharkhand:

Driving Test For Two and Three-Wheeler Vehicles

• This involves driving the vehicle on a figure-eight pattern track without stalling, stopping, or over-balancing the car.
• The subsequent test segment entails the ability to navigate the vehicle in traffic and around traffic and pedestrians in simulated road conditions.
• Before the ride, the RTO inspector gives you a preliminary briefing and then follows you to test your skills in practice.
• If the RTO official is not satisfied with your driving on the road, then you can redo the test within a week.

Driving Test For Four-Wheelers

• The vehicle will also need to be tested on the RTO test track, which you will undertake.
• You are supposed to perform fairly challenging manoeuvres, including U-turns, parallel parking, and reverse parking.
• In addition, you must demonstrate some manoeuvrability in the car without causing it to stall.
• Then, you must drive the vehicle through actual road conditions, which are characteristic of real-life situations.
• The RTO inspector evaluates your driving capability and determines whether you should be granted a DL.
• If the RTO official feels your driving skills are not good enough, the test can be repeated after one week.

If you are planning to visit a foreign country and intend to drive a vehicle there, you will need to procure an international driving licence from the RTO office. You can easily apply for an international driving license in any of the 24 RTO offices located in Jharkhand. Follow the below-mentioned procedure to apply for the same:

• Step 1: Get photocopies of your passport and visa.
• Step 2: Collect Form-4A from the official website of the Transport Department of the Government of Jharkhand. Also, collect the medical form 1A.
• Step 3: Duly fill up those forms with all relevant details. Attach the necessary documents as indicated in the form.
• Step 4: Visit the RTO office with the particular form and pay the requisite fees to the concerned authority.

Upon completing the paperwork, the office will process your request for an international driving licence.

A permanent driving licence comes with a 20 years validity in Jharkhand. However, if the licence holder's age exceeds 50 within that period, they will have to renew driving licence. One may follow either of the two procedures listed below to renew their driving licence:

Online Method

• Step 1: Visit the official portal of the Government of India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

• Step 2: Click on the “Drivers/Learners Licence” button.

• Step 3: Select state “Jharkhand" from the drop-down menu.

• Step 4: Click on the “Apply for DL Renewal” button.

Offline Method

• Step 1: Visit your RTO office along with your existing driving licence

Note: you will have to renew the licence within 30 days of its expiry, otherwise, it will lapse.

• Step 2: Request for relevant forms to renew your driving licence.
• Step 3: Duly fill up the form.
• Step 4: Submit those forms along with two copies of passport-sized photographs. On processing the application, you will receive the renewed licence via post within three days.

Here are the documents that are likely required when applying for DL renewal in Jharkhand online or offline.

• Form 2 was completed and submitted for renewal of DL (This form can be downloaded through the Parivahan Sewa website).
• Original/expired Driving Licence
• Identity proof (like an Aadhaar Card, etc.)
• Any identity proof such as residence (Electricity bill, Ration Card, etc.).
• Age proof (self-attested copy)
• Photographs (Two passport size and taken within a year).
• Medical fitness form 1A (if the applicant is over forty or applying for a transport vehicle driving licence).