Learner Licence Apply Online: Steps, Documents, Test and Fees (2026)

You can now apply for a learner licence online in India through the Sarathi portal, and in many states you never have to visit the RTO at all. The learner licence is the first legal step before you can get a permanent driving licence, and the online process covers everything from filling the application form to booking your theory test slot.

This guide walks you through the complete learner licence apply online flow: who is eligible, which documents you need, the exact portal steps on the Sarathi portal, the official fee, what the online LL test looks like, and what happens after you pass.

Are You Eligible for a Learner Licence?

Before you start, check that you meet the age and fitness rules set under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Age requirements by vehicle type:

• 16 years: gearless two-wheelers (scooters and mopeds, engine capacity up to 50cc), but only with written consent from a parent or guardian
• 18 years: geared motorcycles and light motor vehicles like cars (LMV, MCWG)
• 20 years: transport or commercial vehicles

You must also be mentally and physically fit to drive. That is not just a formality. If you are 40 or older, or you are applying for a commercial vehicle category, you need a medical certificate in Form 1A from a registered doctor. Everyone else signs a self-declaration of physical fitness in Form 1, which the portal handles during the application.

You also need to be a resident of the state you are applying from, because the application is processed by the RTO of your residential address.

Documents You Need for a Learner Licence

Keep these ready as clear scanned copies before you open the portal. Blurry or half-visible uploads are one of the most common reasons applications get held up.

The portal also generates the actual application form for you, which is Form 2 under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. You do not need to download it separately. What you receive after passing the test is the learner licence itself, issued in Form 3.

How to Apply for a Learner Licence Online: Step-by-Step

The entire application runs on the official Sarathi portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Here is exactly what to do.

Step 1: Select your state. Open the Sarathi portal and choose your state or union territory from the list. Your application is filed with the RTO that covers your current residential address.

Step 2: Choose the service. On the state page, click “Apply Online” and then “New Learner’s Licence”. Read the instructions shown on screen and click “Continue”.

Step 3: Authenticate yourself. You get two options. If you have Aadhaar, enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID and verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Without Aadhaar, you can verify with a mobile number and captcha-based OTP instead.

Step 4: Fill the application form (Form 2). Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your Aadhaar: full name, date of birth, mobile number, email, residential address, blood group and emergency contact. Then select your vehicle class. Common options are MCWG (motorcycle with gear), MCWOG (motorcycle without gear), and LMV (light motor vehicle). You can apply for more than one class in a single application.

Step 5: Upload documents, photo and signature. Upload your age proof, address proof, passport-size photograph and scanned signature. Check each preview carefully before submitting.

Step 6: Pay the fee. The official fees under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules are Rs 150 for issuing a learner’s licence (Form 3, per vehicle class) plus Rs 50 for the learner’s licence test or repeat test. You can pay online through UPI, debit card, credit card or net banking. Save the payment receipt, because the application number on it is what you use for test booking and for tracking your driving licence application status later.

Step 7: Book your test slot. Select a date and time at your RTO, or choose the online-from-home test option if your state offers it (Aadhaar authentication is required for that).

Step 8: Appear for the LL test. The test is computer-based. Details of the format are covered below.

Step 9: Download your learner licence. After you pass, your LL is issued and you can download it from the Sarathi portal using the “Print Learner’s Licence (Form 3)” option by entering your application number and date of birth.

The Learner Licence Test: Format and Passing Rule

The LL test is a theory exam, not a driving test. Nobody asks you to ride or drive anything at this stage.

• 15 multiple-choice questions in most states (some states ask up to 20, but 15 is the standard)
• 30 seconds per question, so the full test takes about 8 minutes
• 60 percent to pass, which means at least 9 correct answers out of 15
• Questions cover traffic signs, road rules, speed limits, right of way and basic safe-driving knowledge
• You can take it in English, Hindi or a regional language

The Parivahan Sewa portal also publishes the question bank online, so you can practise the actual syllabus before your slot. If you fail, you can reappear after a short waiting period (usually 7 days) by paying the Rs 50 repeat test fee and booking a fresh slot.

Fees: What a Learner Licence Costs in 2026

The fees are set centrally under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, so they are the same across states, though some states add small convenience charges.

So the base cost of getting your learner licence online is Rs 200 per vehicle class, plus whatever small online convenience fee your state adds.

Validity of the Learner Licence and Next Steps

Your learner licence is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. It is not renewable automatically, so plan your practice and your permanent DL test within that window.

Two important rules to know:

• You can apply for a permanent driving licence only after 30 days from the date your LL was issued, and before it expires.
• While practising, you must drive under the supervision of someone holding a valid permanent licence for that vehicle category, and the vehicle must display a red L sign at the front and rear.

Once the 30 days are up, you apply for the permanent DL through the same Sarathi portal, book a slot for the practical driving test, and pay the Rs 300 test fee. Passing that test is what finally gets you the permanent licence. If you already have a licence and just need to extend it, that is a different process altogether, covered in our guide on driving licence renewal online. And whenever you need to confirm any of your licence details, you can check your driving licence online anytime.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

• Name or date of birth not matching your Aadhaar or documents
• Uploading blurry or cropped document scans
• Choosing the wrong RTO (pick the one for your residential address, not your workplace)
• Paying on an unofficial lookalike website instead of sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
• Forgetting that a guardian’s consent is mandatory if you are under 18
• Waiting too long, the LL expires after 6 months and you would have to start over