Uttar Pradesh is the 4^th largest and most populous Indian state. Being the 3^rd largest economy of India, Uttar Pradesh has an excellent transport system. The Transport Department of Uttar Pradesh deals with several transport-related matters. They ensure RTOs strictly follow all the road safety regulations and all the other enforcement functions assigned to them as per Motor Vehicles Act 1988.

Furthermore, the Transport Department of Uttar Pradesh offers fully digitised services to vehicle owners here. Read below about driving licences in Uttar Pradesh.

The driving licence is an important document you can use as documentary evidence of personal identification. As per the rules of the Motor Vehicle Department of Uttar Pradesh, you must carry a valid driving licence whenever you drive in and around Uttar Pradesh. Below are the types of driving licences Uttar Pradesh RTO issues:

1. International Driving Licence: An international driving licence is valid for 1-year, and you can only apply for an international driving licence if you hold a permanent driving licence. Moreover, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for an international driving licence. RTO Uttar Pradesh issues an international driving permit so that you can drive/rent 2/4-wheeled vehicles in another country.

2. Commercial Driving Licence: RTOs in Uttar Pradesh ensure you are eligible to drive a commercial vehicle, then only they issue a commercial driving licence to you. According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, a commercial driving licence authorises you to drive heavy vehicles – cars, trucks, buses, etc.

3. Learner’s Driving Licence: A learner's licence legally allows you to learn to drive on Indian roads. If you hold a valid learner's licence you can practise driving on main roads if there is a permanent driving licence holder accompanying you. A learner's licence is valid for 6 months, and you can receive this driving licence if you pass the driving test – online or written.

4. Permanent Driving Licence: A permanent driving licence allows you to drive legally on Indian streets. RTO offices in Uttar Pradesh generally issue a permanent driving licence after 6 months. However, you must be at least 18 years old and pass the driving test to receive a permanent driving licence in Uttar Pradesh.

RTOs in Uttar Pradesh charge ₹5000 as a fine if you drive/ride a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence.

If you are an applicant requiring a driving licence in this state, you must meet some parameters. The eligibility criteria to apply for an Uttar Pradesh driving licence are as follows:

• The basic criterion is that you must be at least 18 years old.
• You must hold a valid learner’s licence before you apply for a permanent driving licence.
• You must apply for a permanent driving licence 30 days after or within 180 days of getting the learner’s licence.
• Ensure to know the traffic rules and regulations and strictly follow them when driving a vehicle.

To apply for a driving licence in Uttar Pradesh there are certain documents you must submit along with the application form. These are as follows:

1. Age Proof:

• Passport
• Educational certificate
• Birth certificate
• Certificate issued from the employer if you are working for state/central/local government

2. Address Proof:

• Voter ID
• Ration card
• LIC policy bond
• Valid passport
• Employer’s certificate issued by local/central/state government

3. Other Necessary Documents:

• Form 4
• Form 5 (for a commercial driving licence)
• Original learner’s licence
• Three passport-size photographs

Follow the below steps to apply for a driving licence in Uttar Pradesh online:

Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa, Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

Step 2: Go to the top left section and select 'Online Services'. Select 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down list.

Step 3: As you land on the Sarathi website portal, enter your state’s name– Uttar Pradesh.

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

Step 5: It will take you to a new page that mentions the methods of applying for a driving licence. Read these instructions carefully before filling out the application form.

Step 6: Provide your learner's licence number and date of birth.

Step 7: Fill in the application form (double-check), attach all the necessary documents and submit the form at the RTO.

Step 8: Book a time and date for the driving test, where officials will acknowledge your driving skills. Pay the fee and verify the payment status. Collect the receipt.

Once you pass the driving test, you will receive a driving licence within a few weeks/days.

To apply for a driving licence in Uttar Pradesh offline, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Arrive at the nearest RTO in Uttar Pradesh and collect an application form to apply for a driving licence.

Step 2: Duly fill in the application form and double-check all the details. Attach the age, address proofs, and passport-size photographs. Submit this form to the RTO officials.

Step 3: Book an appointment for the mandatory driving test.

Once you pass the driving test, you will receive a learner’s licence.

Below are some functions RTOs in Uttar Pradesh conducts:

• Register New Motor Vehicles
• Collect Road Tax
• Collect Motor Vehicle Tax
• Issue International Driving Permit
• Renew and Deliver a Driving Licence
• Issue Motor Vehicle Permits and Tourist Permits
• Issue PUC Certificates
• Carry Vehicle Inspection
• Issue Vehicle Fitness Certificate
• Arrange and Re-Register a Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Provide NOC for Vehicles for Transferring Ownership
• Change Address in Vehicle Registration Certificate

The steps to check your driving licence status in Uttar Pradesh include the following:

Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan.

Step 2: Surf the top left section, select 'Online Services' and then choose 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down list.

Step 3: It will take you to the Sarathi website portal. Enter your state’s name– Uttar Pradesh.

Step 4: The screen displays several services your state offers. On the top right section, find 'Application Status'.

Step 5: Enter the application number, date of birth and Captcha in the space provided.

Step 6: Click ‘Submit'.

You will receive all the details you need on your driving licence status.

To apply for a duplicate driving licence, follow any of the steps below:

• Online Method:

Step 1: First, visit the official website of Parivahan and go to the top left section.

Step 2: Select 'Online Services' and then, 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: It will redirect you to the Sarathi website portal. Enter your state’s name– Uttar Pradesh.

Step 4: The screen displays several vehicular services you can choose from. Go to the ‘Apply for Duplicate Driving Licence’ and click.

Step 5: Enter your date of birth, driving licence number, and Captcha code.

Step 6: Fill in the application form, upload documents, photo and signature and proceed. Do not forget to double-check the details you mentioned.

Step 7: Book a slot for the driving test. Now, pay fees and verify the payment status. Collect the payment receipt for future use.

RTO officials will thoroughly verify your application form and documents and provide you with a duplicate copy of a driving licence at your registered address.

• Offline Method:

Step 1: Get an application form from the local RTO Uttar Pradesh.

Fill in the details as required –

• Full name
• Address
• Educational Qualification
• Date of birth
• Place of birth, etc.

Attach all the necessary documents with this application form. Then, you must submit it to the RTO officials.

Step 2: Pay the fees, and collect the payment receipt.

Use this receipt until you receive the driving licence at your registered address.

Step 3: Book an appointment for the driving test. In this test, RTO officials will analyse your knowledge of traffic symbols and rules.

However, whenever you lose your driving licence or it gets stolen, you must visit the nearest police station to register an FIR.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, you cannot drive a vehicle on Indian streets without a valid driving licence. Failing to renew a driving licence after 5 years from the expiry date causes you to pay hefty fines.

There are two ways to renew a driving licence in Uttar Pradesh:

• Online Method:

Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan.

Step 2: In the top left section, you will find 'Online Services'. Click on that option. Now, tap 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the list of services.

Step 3: It will redirect you to the Sarathi website portal. Enter Uttar Pradesh (your state’s name).

Step 4: This page will further redirect you to the next page.

Select ‘Apply for Driving Licence Renewal’ from several services.

Step 5: A page explaining all the instructions related to application submission will appear on the screen. Enter your driving licence number, date of birth and Captcha.

Step 6: Fill in the application form, and attach the necessary documents, a photo and your digitised signature.

Step 7: Pay the fees and verify your payment status. Use this payment receipt for future reference.

After verifying the documents, the RTO officials will send the new UP driving licence to your residential address via registered post.

• Offline Method:

Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO in Uttar Pradesh.

Collect, duly fill, and submit the application form with the necessary documents at the RTO office. Always double-check the details you mentioned before submission of this form.

Step 2: The RTO officials will ask for your driving licence details. Provide that and attach a passport-size photograph.

Step 3: Pay the fees, collect the payment receipt and use it for future reference.

Step 4: Book a slot for a driving test, undergo the driving test and get your driving licence after successfully passing it.

To save yourself from last-minute hurries and unnecessary fines, please check the expiry date of your driving licence and apply for a new one within time.

Equipped with a microprocessor chip, a smart card is made of plastic from which no one can edit, modify or tamper with any information in a smart card driving licence. To get a smart card driving licence follow the below steps (however, this process is for acquiring a new driving licence):

• Online Method:

Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan.

Step 2: In the top left section, find 'Online Services', choose that option, and click 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the list of services.

Step 3: It will redirect you to the Sarathi website portal. It asks you to provide the name of your state. So, enter Uttar Pradesh.

Step 4: You will land on a new page. Choose ‘New Driving Licence’ from the ‘Driving Licence’ drop-down list. However, you must have a learner’s licence. Apply for a learner’s licence if you do not have one.

Step 5: Fill in all details, and upload necessary documents, digitised signatures, and photographs.

Step 6: Book a driving licence test slot after you pay the required fees. RTO officials will collect your biometrics.

Step 7: Visit the RTO in Uttar Pradesh to give your driving test.

Once you pass the driving test, you will acquire your smart card driving licence through a registered post at your address.

• Offline Method:

Step 1: Visit your local RTO (Uttar Pradesh).

Step 2: Collect the smart card driving licence application form and the physical fitness along with medical certificate forms.

Step 3: Fill out these application forms mentioning every detail.

Step 4: Attach the documents required, and submit your application form to the RTO. Always double-check before submitting.

Step 5: Pay the fees (it depends on the vehicle type for which you need a driving licence). Collect the payment receipt for future purposes.

Step 6: Now, book a time slot for your driving test. Appear for the driving licence test as per the schedule.

Step 7: Once you pass the driving test, RTO officials will collect your documents.

You will receive your smart card driving licence via post at your registered address.

• Convert an Old Driving Licence to Smart Driving Licence:

Smart card driving licence ensures maximum security for vehicle owners as no one can fake the information. The procedure to convert the old book-based driving licence to the new smart card version is as follows:

Step 1: Visit your local RTO in Uttar Pradesh.

Step 2: Collect a smart card driving licence form or driving licence upgrade form.

Step 3: Duly fill out this application form, attach all documents, and submit the biometrics to the RTO officials.

Step 4: Pay the fees, collect the receipt and use it until you receive your smart card driving licence.

You can acquire your new smart card driving licence at your registered address.

The online and offline procedure to receive an international driving licence is simple. Here are the steps you must follow:

●       Online Method:

Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan.

Step 2: In the top left section, select the 'Online Services' option, and tap on 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: It will redirect you to the Sarathi website portal. Surf at the bottom of the page. It asks you to enter your state's name. Here enter Uttar Pradesh.

Step 4: You will land on a new page. Click on the 'Apply for International Driving Permit' option.

Step 5: Provide details of your date of birth, driving licence, and Captcha. Upload identity proofs, residential proofs and other necessary documents with these forms. Double-check the details you entered in the application form before submission.

Step 6: Pay fees and verify the payment status.

Step 7: Book a slot for the driving test and visit the RTO to give your driving test.

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 in Uttar Pradesh.

Step 2: Gather an application form for an international driving permit.

Step 3: Fill in the necessary details in the application form, and mention the countries you want to visit. In addition, mention 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.

The driving test is the most crucial part of carrying out a driving licence application procedure. If you fail to clear the driving test, RTO officials will not issue you a driving licence. In Uttar Pradesh, RTO officials conduct a driving licence test in the presence of a motor vehicle supervisor.

Here are the steps below:

Step 1: For the test, apply for a driving licence at the nearest RTO. You can download the driving licence application form from the official website of Sarathi Parivahan.

Step 2: Provide the necessary documents:

• PUC certificate
• Valid learner’s licence
• Registration certificate
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Insurance certificate
• Tax certificate

Step 3: Provide Form CMV5 from your motor vehicle training school. You might need this document during your driving test.

Step 4: For the driving licence test, visit Uttar Pradesh’s designated RTO, and pay the fee for a driving licence booking.

Step 5: Submit the driving licence application form attaching the necessary documents to the RTO officials.

Once you pass the driving test, authorities will take your biometrics. You will receive your driving licence after a certain period.

You can follow the below tips to clear your driving test smoothly:

Tip 1: On the test day, reach the venue on time. It will keep you relaxed.

Tip 2: Carry your necessary documents on the test day:

• Address and age-proof
• Identity proof
• Other necessary documents

Tip 3: Shift gears smoothly while driving. Do not panic. Rest your arms on the steering wheels in the correct way.

Tip 4: Focus on the road and avoid any distractions.

Tip 5: If you have not practised driving before the test, it is better not to attempt the driving test. It will lead to errors, and you will fail the test. Therefore, you must be confident when you appear for the driving test.

Tip 6: Know the traffic symbols and the rules as RTO officials will analyse these aspects.

Tip 7: Be calm and confident.