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

Mumbai is a metropolitan city in India where the headcount is uncountable, and so is the number of vehicles running on the road. It is rightly said that Mumbai is the city that never sleeps! 

Mumbai is a city where people make sure they do not make mistakes because no one has the time to entertain a mess. To avoid such situations, most Mumbaikars follow all basic traffic rules, from something as simple as always carrying your driver's licence to ensuring you have at least basic car insurance to avoid trouble and traffic fines! 

Your driving licence is nothing but an official document that gives you an official permit to drive and ride your car and bike on the road. You can get one if you're 16 or above (for a two-wheeler) and 18 and above (for a four-wheeler). 

This article will give you all the information on how to go about it.

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

Basis Motor Vehicle Category

1. Driving Licence for Non-Gear Two-Wheelers: Licence for two-wheelers without gears like Mopeds and Scooters.

2. Driving Licence for Two-Wheelers with Gear: Licence for a two-wheeler with gears like bikes.

3. Driving Licence for Two-Wheelers or Four-Wheelers with Gear Light Motor Vehicles: Licence for four-wheelers like cars of all types.

4. Driving Licence for Commercial Vehicles: Licence for commercial and transport vehicles like buses, trucks, lorries, etc.

Basis Licence Category

1. Learner’s Licence: Acquiring a learner's licence is mandatory to apply for a permanent driving licence. The RTO provides a form for this, which you must fill out for the application.

2. Permanent Licence: After passing the theoretical and practical driving tests, you can acquire a permanent driving licence from the RTO.

3. Duplicate Licence: You can only apply for a duplicate driving licence once you have lost the permanent one.

• The applicant must be 16 years old if she/he wants to ride a gearless two-wheeler.
  

• The applicant must be of 18 years if she/he wants to ride or drive a light motor vehicle with gear.

• The applicants must be 20 years old and have passed a minimum of 8th class to drive heavy motor vehicles and transport vehicles.

• The applicant must be aware of the basic traffic rules to clear the test.

• The applicant must have a valid learner’s licence before applying for a permanent one.

To get a Driving Licence in Mumbai, you need the following documents to present to the Road Transport Authority. He will verify these documents and accordingly approve your licence:

• Driving Licence Application form-4 available both online and offline.
  
• 3 passport size photographs for learner’s licence and 3 passport size photographs for Driving Licence.
  
• Address Proof like ration card, voter’s id, copy of passport, aadhar card or LIC policy that may be older than 6 months at least.
  
• Age Proof-like educational certificate, birth certificate, or SSC certificate.
  
• Copy of valid learner’s licence.
  
• Copy of PAN card.
  
• Receipt of the payment fees.
  
• Medical Certificate Form 1A if the candidate’s age is above 40 years.
  

To make the process easy, the government of India has largely bifurcated the procedure in two steps. The applicants will first get a Learner’s Licence and only 30 days after that can they get a Driving Licence. However, it subjected to some conditions. Considering the population and time taken in the process, the government of Maharashtra has made the process available online too.

There are both online and offline procedures for applying for a learner's licence in Mumbai. Let’s discuss them:

Steps to Apply for Learner’s Licence Online

• Step 1: Navigate to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Department or Sarathi Parivahan.

• Step 2: Click on the "Drivers/Learners Licence" option to redirect you to a new page.

• Step 3: Select the state of Maharashtra from the drop-down menu.

• Step 4: You will be redirected to a new page, where you need to select the “Apply for Learner Licence” option.

• Step 5: Fill out the required fields and complete the application procedure for the learner's licence.

• Step 6: Pay ₹251 while submitting the application and collect the application number. It will help you check the status of your learner’s licence later on.

Steps to Apply for a Learner’s Licence Offline

• Step 1: If you are not comfortable with the online application process, you can visit the nearby RTO office and collect Form 4. 
• Step 2: After filling out the form, submit it along with the relevant documents. 
• Step 3: Collect the application number after submission and appear to the RTO office on the date and time slot provided for the preliminary test. You can receive the learner’s licence immediately after clearing this test. 

Note: This test assesses your knowledge regarding the traffic rules.

• Step 4: Pay the required fees and collect the application number. Your learner’s licence will remain valid for the next 30 days. 
• Step 5: Finally, schedule an appointment for the driving test when you need to visit the RTO.

• Step 1: The driving test before the permanent driving licence will be conducted in the presence of a Motor Vehicle Inspector. The candidate can visit the RTO office on the date of the driving test but only 30 days after receiving the learner’s licence. You will have to take your motor vehicle and learner’s licence for the test.
• Step 2: If the Motor Vehicle Inspector is satisfied with your performance, you will be sent for the biometrics.
• Step 3: Pay the fees of ₹716 to get a permanent Driving Licence.
• Step 4: After this, you will be issued your permanent Driving Licence.

In case, your DL is stolen, or it might get lost, the important thing you should do on an immediate basis is to apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence. The first thing you do after your licence gets stolen is to lodge an F.I.R. and file a complaint with RTO. You should also get it written and get the affidavit as an essential document.

Steps to Apply for a Duplicate Licence Online

• Step 1: Log in to the Sarthi Parivahan portal and select "Other Services" under the "Licence Related Services" section.

• Step 2: Select “Apply for Duplicate DL” on the next page. Enter the required details while submitting the LLD form.

• Step 3: Complete the formalities and pay the fees for Duplicate DL. The authorities will verify your document and send the duplicate DL to your address.

Steps to Apply for a Duplicate Licence Offline

• Step 1: You need to visit the RTO office from where you have received your permanent driving licence and collect the application form for duplicate DL.
• Step 2: Next, you need to complete the LLD form with relevant information and submit it with supporting documentation. The authorities may ask you for a reason for applying for a duplicate licence; make sure your answer sounds realistic.
• Step 3: Pay the fee while submitting the application form and collect the application receipt from the RTO. This receipt serves as a duplicate DL until you receive it.

The request for a duplicate licence must be completed within 6 months of losing the original DL. Driving a vehicle without a licence can be considered an offence.

Documents Required for a Duplicate Licence

• Application Form duly filled and signed.
  

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

• Proof of residence.

• The fee receipt of ₹216 for a duplicate licence.

• Medical Certificate Form 1A

Imagine you missed the renewal of your driving licence a few days ago. And a traffic policeman for any violation or a regular check-up. Guess what happens next? Obviously, you will be charged with penalties and your vehicles can be taken into custody. For sure, you would not want this to happen and so getting the renewal of Driving Licence well in time will be the wisest thing.

In general, a driving licence is valid for 20 years or up to 50 years of age whichever is earlier. A Driving Licence issued for a commercial vehicle is valid for 3 years.

Steps to Apply for Renewal of Driving Licence Online

• Step 1: Log in to the RTO website, Sarathi Parivahan, and navigate to "Other Services” under "Licence Related Services”.

• Step 2: You will be redirected to a new page, and there you need to select “Apply for DL Renewal."

• Step 3: Pay the required fees and submit relevant documents as the authorities ask. You also need to submit a copy of the expired licence.

Steps to Apply for Renewal of DL Offline

• Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO in Mumbai.
• Step 2: Collect the DL Renewal form and complete it with the required information. 
• Step 3: Attach the relevant documents and submit the application form to the RTO office.
• Step 4: After paying the fees of ₹416 and submitting the application form, the authorities will provide a receipt to track the application status.

Documents Required for Renewal of the Driving Licence

• Copy of expired driver's licence.

• Medical certificate if the driver is more than 40 years old.

• Application form 9.

• 2 passport-size photographs.

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

• Application fees of Rs.416/- and receipt.

• Form 1 and Form 1A if the applicant's age is above 50 years.

To get an International Driving License, you can visit the nearest RTO and submit the required information. The RTO will ask for some documents, as mentioned, but IDL will always work in conjunction with the original Driving Licence. Before you apply for an IDL, it is crucial to know the importance of the document. 

Your driving licence issued by the government of India holds relevance only in domestic boundaries. But if you wish to drive on the lands abroad, then you would need an IDL, which will always work in conjunction with your DL. Here are some documents you would need to get an IDL.

• Filled and signed application form 4A for IDL. The form can be downloaded online through parivahan.gov.in.

• A Copy of a Valid Driving Licence.

• Fee Receipt for Rs.1000/-.

• Valid Identity and Residence Proof.

• Proof of valid visa and passport.

• Medical certificate.

• Air tickets, preferably.

The importance of a valid driving licence should be realized by every citizen. It is an offense if an individual drives a vehicle:

• He is not authorized to drive.

• With expired Driving Licence.

• With expired Car Insurance Policy.

Such negligence will attract heavy penalties and legal actions under the Motor Vehicle Act 2019.

Follow these easy steps to check the status of your driving licence application:

• Step 1: Log in to Sarathi Parivahan's website and click on the “Other Services” option.

• Step 2: Select the “Application Status” tab.

• Step 3: Enter your DOB and application number along with the CAPTCHA code to check your DL application status.

Keep in mind these things when you appear for the test to get a Driving Licence in Mumbai.

• You will have to drive on ‘Forward 8 shaped track test', 'Parallel Parking Test,' or 'Reverse S Test' or 'Drive backward on S-shaped track.' So practice well to clear the test.

• Be confident while you appear for the driving test.

• Do not appear in the test under the influence of alcohol.

• Be well aware of the traffic signals, rules, and regulations. Always use side mirrors and indicators.

• Press the gears smoothly and make sure the vehicle does not turn off in the middle of the test when you are driving.