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

Tripura is one of the seven states in North-Eastern India that ensures efficient transport facilities for the citizens. Statistics say, there were almost 496 thousand vehicles registered across this Indian state at the end of 2019. To maintain regulation, the Transport Department of Tripura deals with several transport-related matters and all other enforcement functions per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.

In addition, the Transport Department of Tripura offers fully digitised services to vehicle owners here. Read below to know all about driving licence in Tripura.

The Motor Vehicle Department of Tripura has implied traffic rules for drivers. You must carry a valid driving licence while driving in and around this state. Below are the types of driving licence Tripura RTO issues:

1. Learner’s Driving Licence

Before you receive a permanent driving licence, RTO issues a learner's licence, valid for 6-months. Moreover, you can receive a learner's driving licence only if you pass a driving test – online or written. However, whenever you drive a motor vehicle with a learner's driving licence, ask another individual holding a permanent driving licence to accompany you.

2. Permanent Driving Licence

A permanent driving licence allows you to drive legally on Indian streets. However, to apply for a permanent driving licence, you must be 18 years old or above. RTO Tripura will issue a permanent driving licence after 6 months after you pass this driving test.

3. Commercial Driving Licence

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, this type of licence authorises you to drive heavy vehicles. Before you receive a commercial driving licence, an RTO ensures you are eligible to drive a commercial vehicle on Indian roads.

4. International Driving Licence

You can receive an international driving licence if you have a permanent driving licence. RTO Tripura provides an international driving licence (which also acts as a permit) so that you can drive or rent vehicles (2/4 wheelers) in another country. However, you might not have to undergo a driving test to receive an international driving licence.

If you are an applicant for a driving licence in this state, you must meet certain conditions. The eligibility criteria to apply for a Tripura driving licence are as follows:

• You must be at least 18 years old to use a motor vehicle with an engine capacity of more than 50cc.
• You must be at least 16 years old to use a motor vehicle with an engine capacity of less than 50cc.
• If you want to drive a heavy transport vehicle, you must be at least 20 years old to apply for a driving licence.
• You must have a temporary driving licence for a minimum of 30 days but not more than 180 days before you apply for a permanent driving licence.
• Lastly, you must be aware of and strictly follow all traffic rules and regulations.

Furnish self-attested copies of the below documents to the Regional Transport Officer to receive a driving licence in Tripura:

1. Age-Proof

• Employee certificate from a state or central government
• Birth certificate
• Educational certificate
• Passport

2. Address-Proof

• Passport
• Voter ID
• Ration card
• Employee certificate from a state/central/local government
• LIC policy bond

3. Other Necessary Documents

• Application Form 4
• Application Form 5 (if you apply for a commercial driving licence)
• Original learner’s licence
• 3-passport-size photographs

The following are steps to help you to apply for a driving licence in Tripura online:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Tripura Transport Department.

• Step 2: Go to its top left section and select 'Online Services'. Select 'Sarathi Service' from its drop-down list.

• Step 3: As you land on this Sarathi website portal, enter your state’s name there – Tripura.

• Step 4: Select 'Apply for Driving Licence' from a host of services.

• Step 5: It will redirect you to a page that mentions the methods of applying for a driving licence. Read these instructions carefully and proceed.

• Step 6: Provide your learner's licence number, date of birth and CAPTCHA. Fill in the application form for a driving licence, attach all the necessary documents and submit the form at the RTO.

To apply for a driving licence in Tripura offline, applicants can follow the below steps:

• Step 1: Reach your local RTO in Tripura and gather an application form to apply for a driving licence.
• Step 2: Duly fill in the application form with all the details as required, and attach the age, address proofs, and passport-size photographs. Submit this form to the RTO.
• Step 3: Book an appointment for the driving test. Here, officials will test your knowledge of traffic rules. Once you pass the driving test, you receive a learner’s licence. 

However, to obtain a permanent driving licence, you must have a learner’s licence for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 180 days.

In Tripura, RTO officials administer a driving test based on Rule 15 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. A motor vehicle supervisor assesses your driving skills during this examination. The driving test procedure varies among two-wheelers/three-wheelers and four-wheelers.

For Two and Three-Wheeler Vehicles

Those undergoing driving tests for two and three-wheelers will have to navigate through an '8' shaped track. Your riding skills and vehicle control will be evaluated by the examiner. If they approve your performance, you will be granted permission to ride on public roads.

For Four Wheelers

In the four-wheeler driving exam, you will be required to drive the car through a H-shaped track. The motor vehicle inspector will assess your driving abilities and comfort level. If you perform well and satisfy the inspector, you will receive permission to drive a car on public roads.

Once you pass the driving test, you will get your driver's license.

You can claim insurance for an accident abroad if you hold an international driving permit. The online and offline procedure to receive an international driving license is simple. Here are the steps:

Online Method

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Tripura Transport Department.
• Step 2: Select ‘Online Services’. You will find it in the top left section of the page. Now, select ‘Sarathi Services’ from the drop-down list.
• Step 3: The portal takes you to the official Sarathi portal. Below, surf through the name of your state and select Tripura.
• Step 4: You will land on a new page. Click on the 'Apply for International Driving Permit' option.
• Step 5: Provide details of your driving licence, date of birth and captcha. Upload identity and residential proofs and other necessary documents with these forms.
• Step 6: Pay fees during submission and verify the payment status.
• Step 7: Book a slot for the driving test and visit the concerned RTO to take your exam.

If your application is successful, you will receive your international driving licence within a few days.

Offline Method

• Step 1: Visit your local RTO office.
• Step 2: Gather an application form for an international driving permit.
• Step 3: Fill required details in the application form, and mention the countries you want to visit and your tenure of stay in these countries.
• Step 4: Attach the necessary documents and submit them to the RTO officials. 
• Step 5: Pay the fees, collect the payment receipt, and you will receive your international driving licence at your registered address.

As per the Motor Vehicle Act, you cannot drive a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence. So, you must renew your driving licence if it loses its validity.

There are two ways to renew a driving licence in Tripura. They are:

Online Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Tripura

• Step 1: Go to the official website of the Tripura Transport Department and select ‘Online Services’ on the top left section of the page. Now, select ‘Sarathi Service’ from the list mentioning vehicular services.
• Step 2: The portal takes you to the Sarathi website. Below, enter the name of your state i.e. Tripura.
• Step 3: The page will redirect you to the next page. Select ‘Apply for Driving Licence Renewal’ from several services.
• Step 4: It will take you to another webpage explaining all the instructions related to application submission. Enter your driving licence number, date of birth and captcha. Next, fill in the application form.
• Step 5: Attach the necessary documents, a photo and your digitised signature.
• Step 6: Pay the applicable fees and verify payment status. You can use the payment receipt for future reference.

After verifying the documents, RTO officials will send the new TR driving licence to your registered address.

Offline Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Tripura

• Step 1: Visit your local RTO in Tripura. Collect, fill, and submit the application form with the necessary documents at the office.
• Step 2: Provide your driving licence details and attach a passport-size photograph.
• Step 3: Pay the fees, collect the payment receipt and book a slot for a driving test.
• Step 4: Undergo the driving test and get your driving licence after successfully passing it.

However, 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 immediately.

If you do not renew a driving licence after 5 years from the expiry date, you will need to apply for a new driving licence as the earlier document will lose its validity.

In order to renew your driver's license in Punjab, make sure you have the necessary documents.

• Two passport-size photos of the applicant (coloured) 
• Form 1A 
• Form 9
• Copy of permanent DL
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Medical certificate (if applicable)
• Payment receipt for ₹200 application charges
• Copy of ID proof as a resident of Tripura