How to Get a Learning, Permanent or Duplicate Licence in Bangalore?

To put it in simple terms, a driving licence is nothing but your legal permit to drive on the road. The same confirms you can ride a two-wheeler or drive a four-wheeler responsibly. In a big city like Bangalore, where there is so much traffic congestion on the road- your risk of falling into trouble is sort of higher.

From all the reckless driving, narrow streets, and constant traffic, there are a million little things that can go wrong. While these are subjective things that can get you into trouble, a routine cop check can also cause problems.

Of course, this depends on whether you’ve violated any traffic rules or something as simple as not carrying your driving essentials- such as your driver's licence, car or bike insurance and pollution control certificate.

Out of these, the most essential document you should have is your driving licence—after all, that's the only proof you have that you're allowed to drive legally! If you haven't got one yet, we're here to help you out! Just follow through with this article.

You can apply to get one of the different types of Driving Licence in Bangalore:

Basis Motor Vehicle Category

1. Driving Licence for Two-Wheelers without Gear: This kind of DL is issued to drive mopeds or two-wheelers without gears, such as electric bikes and gearless scooters. 

2. Driving Licence for Two-Wheelers or Four-Wheelers with Gear: This type of DL is issued for cars or bikes. These will be called Light Motor Vehicles used for private, commercial or transport. 

3. Driving Licence for Heavy Vehicles: This Driving Licence is issued for heavy vehicles like passenger carrying or goods carrying. 

4. Driving Licence for road rollers, trailers, etc.

Basis Licence Category

1. Learner’s Licence: Motorists seeking a permanent driving licence must apply for a learner's licence first. You can get a learner’s licence from the RTO office.

2. Permanent Driving Licence: Vehicle owners with a valid learner's licence can apply for a permanent driving licence from the RTO office after clearing the driving and written test.

3. Duplicate Driving Licence: Individuals who have lost their driving licence can visit the RTO or apply online for a duplicate DL.

• You should be 18 years old or above to apply for a driving licence. 

• You should be well versed in the traffic rules and regulations. You should also have a valid address proof and age proof documents.

• You should have a valid learner’s licence.

• For commercial vehicles, you should be 20 years old or above.

• Before we see how to apply for a driving licence in Bangalore, let us understand the types of licences issued by the Karnataka government in Bangalore:

• Read more: Types of Driving Licence in India

The penalty for driving/riding without a valid driving licence in Bangalore is:

₹1,000 (two-wheelers & three-wheelers) | ₹2,000 (four-wheelers & LMV) | ₹5,000 (others)

Read more: Traffic fines from 1st Sept'19 & Karnataka govt. slashed traffic fines by 50%-80%

• You must submit a set of documents to process the request for a driving licence. Here is the list of the documents required.

• Application Form No.4 duly filled and signed (private vehicle). This can be downloaded from the RTO’s website.

• Driving license Form No. 5 (transport vehicle)

• 6 passport-size photographs for learner's licence and 1 for permanent driving licence.

• 1 Copy of PAN card.

• 1 Copy of the address proof (passport/voter's ID/ration card).

• 1 Copy of birth certificate (school certificate/birth certificate).

• Copy of valid learner’s licence.

• Receipt of the payment made for fees.

Whether you’re applying for a two-wheeler or four-wheeler, applying for any driving licence is a 2-stage process. You first need to apply for a Learner’s Licence and only then can you apply for a permanent driving licence.

There are two modes to apply for a driving licence. You can choose from online and offline modes as per your convenience.

Steps to Apply for Learner’s Licence Online

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

• Step 2: From the “Parivahan” menu, select the “Driving Licence Related” option.

• Step 3: Select the first option, “Apply for Learner Licence”.

• Step 4: Go through the instructions and click on “Continue”.

• Step 5: Follow the instructions and submit the form with all the required information.

• Step 6: You will receive an application number and a slot for the preliminary test.

Steps to Apply for a Learner’s Licence Offline

• Step 1: To apply offline, visit the nearest Regional Transport Office and collect form number 4.
• Step 2: Attach the necessary documents and submit them after completing the form.
• Step 3: Collect the application number and book a test slot after paying ₹50. Appear for the preliminary test on the decided date. This test evaluates your traffic knowledge.
• Step 4: Once you clear the driving test, you will receive the learner’s licence from the RTO office.

After you have received the learner’s licence, then within 30 days to 6-months, visit the RTO office on the date of the driving test. The test will be conducted in the presence of a Motor Vehicle Inspector. 

• Step 1: Take your motor vehicle and learner’s licence for the test.
• Step 2: Go for the thumb impressions if the Motor Vehicle Inspector is satisfied with your performance.
• Step 3: Pay the fees of Rs.200/-.
• Step 4: After this, your permanent Driving Licence will be issued.

A Duplicate Licence holds the same importance as the original DL for you. There can be a situation in life when a Driving licence gets stolen or lost. And if this happens, then you'll need to apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence.

Also, make sure that an intimation about the loss to the authority is made and an F.I.R is lodged on priority. You will also have to get an affidavit mentioning the lost Driving Licence.

Steps to Apply for a Duplicate Licence Online

• Step 1: Log in to the official website of the Karnataka Government Transport Department.

• Step 2: Click the "Parivahan” option from the menu bar and select "Driving Related Service” from the drop-down menu.

• Step 3: You will be redirected to a new page where you need to click on “Apply for Duplicate DL”.

• Step 4: Click on "Continue" after carefully reading the instructions.

• Step 5: On the next page, enter your DL number, DOB, CAPTCHA code and click "Proceed".

• Step 6: Attach the required documents while submitting the LLD form and pay the required fees.
• Step 7: Print out the application form. It can serve as an alternative DL until you receive the duplicate DL via post.

Complete the process to apply for a duplicate licence within 6 months after you lose the original DL. Failing to do so, you will have to take special permission from the headquarters of the transport department stating the cause of delay in pursual.

On successfully verifying necessary details and documents by the concerned authority, you will receive the duplicate DL in the registered address.

Steps to Apply for a Duplicate Licence Offline

• Step 1: For offline application, you need to visit the same RTO from where you have received the permanent driving licence. 
• Step 2: Collect and complete the LLD form with all the necessary details, mentioning a valid reason for losing DL.
• Step 3: Attach the necessary documents and submit the application fee. 
• Step 4: Collect the receipt, which you can use as an alternative for the duplicate DL.

The RTO authorities will verify your application and send the duplicate DL to your registered address via post.

Documents Required for a Duplicate Licence

• Application form for a duplicate licence. It should be duly filled and signed.

• A Copy of complaint, F.I.R, and an affidavit.

• A copy of the original licence.

• 2 passport-size photographs.

• Proof of residence.

• The fees receipt of Rs.200 for a smart card duplicate licence.

• Proof of age and address

We get our insurance policies for vehicles renewed, gas refill requests and other such chores finished well in time. Similarly, it is essential to renew a driving licence on time. It will save you from unexpected worries, and hence, it is wise to prepare for licence renewal 30 days before the expiry of the licence. 

The RTO issued a driving licence valid for 20 years or up to 50 years of age, whichever is early.

Steps to Apply for Renewal of DL Online

• Step 1: To renew your driving licence online, visit the official website of the Karnataka Government Transport Department.

• Step 2: Select “Driving Licence Related Services” under the “Parivahan” option.

• Step 3: Click "Apply for DL Renewal” on the next page.

• Step 4: Go through the instructions carefully and click "Continue".

• Step 5: Fill in the next page with your DL number, DOB, and the CAPTCHA code and proceed.

• Step 6: Submit the required documents, a copy of the expired licence, and the applicable fees of  ₹200.

Steps to Apply for Renewal of Driving Licence Offline

• Step 1: Visit the nearest RTO office in Bangalore and collect the DL renewal form.
• Step 2: Complete the form fill-up process and attach the necessary documents when submitting the application form.
• Step 3: Pay the application fee of  ₹200 and collect the receipt after completing the application procedure.

Documents Required for Renewal of the Driving Licence

• Application Form 9

• Copy of expired driver's licence.

• Medical certificate if the driver is more than 40 years old, that is Form 1 and Form 1 A.

• 2 passport-size photographs.

• Self-attested copies of age proof and address proof.

• Application fees of Rs.200/- and receipt.

A Driving Licence (DL) is approval to drive a vehicle on a road received from the government of India. To avoid fines and penalties, one should keep these things in mind:

• Never break traffic rules.

• Drive responsibly

• Wear seat belts.

• Carry DL and copy of insurance.

• Avoid drinking and driving.

An International Driving Licence is a permit that allows individuals to drive beyond Indian territorial boundaries. It will always work in conjunction with the original Driving Licence issued by the Indian Government. You can visit the nearest RTO and submit the required information to get an IDL. The RTO will ask for some documents like:

• Documents needed for an IDL

• Filled and signed application Form 4A for an IDL.

• A Copy of a Valid Driving Licence.

• Fee Receipt.

• Valid Travel Tickets.

• 2 passport-size photographs.

• Medical fitness certificate Form 1 and Form 1A.

• Valid Visa and Passport

It is your duty to drive your vehicle safely abiding by the traffic rules. Any careless attitude while driving on the road can cost you a life. A Driving Licence is an important document because it verifies and allows you to drive a vehicle of a specified category.

• Step 1: Log in to the Karnataka Transport Department's official website.

• Step 2: Navigate to “Driving Licence Related Services”.

• Step 3: Select “Check Payment Status” on the next page.

• Step 4: Enter your application number, date of birth, and CAPTCHA code and click "Verify".

Talking about Bangalore, it will take about 40 days to receive the driving licence. But if it takes longer than usual, then check for an update online.

• Know the traffic signals carefully. 

• Don’t be overconfident while appearing for the driving test.

• Do not give the test under the effect of alcohol.

• It will be good to use side mirrors and indicators.

• The gear movements should be smooth enough that prevents vehicle turn off in the middle of the test when driving.

• Practice and be sure of making an imaginary ‘8’ for the driving test.

The driving test differs based on the vehicle type.

For four-wheelers

• You have to appear for both ground and Road tests.

• You must drive the vehicle along a ‘U’ or ‘T’ track.

• Even road tests are conducted to scrutinise your driving skills and knowledge of traffic rules and regulations. 

• An RTO inspector will monitor the test. If you deliver an unsatisfactory performance, you must appear for a retest.

For two-wheelers:

• You have to undergo road and ground tests.

• In the ground test, you have to drive the vehicle along a ‘T’ or ‘8’ track.

• You also have to drive in real-world traffic scenarios.

• In case you do not qualify the test, you have to retake the DL.

• Corporation, Shopping Complex,  Rajajinagar, Bangalore – 560010.
  
• 2ND Floor, BDA Complex, Indiranagar, Bangalore – 560038
  
• 3rd Block, Bda Shopping Complex, Koramangala,  Bangalore – 080 25533525
  
• 83/63, Op To Mico Factory, Central Jail Road, Bommanahalli CMC, Channakeshava Nagar, Electronic City, Bangalore – 560100