Driving License in Karnataka

To be able to drive a motor vehicle is one of the essential skills that one needs to master today. Considering how driving a motor vehicle has become one of the easiest and fastest means of traveling, commuting by road has become a preferred choice of people all over India.

However, to legitimately be able to drive a motor vehicle in India, it’s important for an individual to obtain a driving license. Having a driving license lets an individual drive his motorized vehicle on Indian roads. This rule is applicable all over India including Karnataka. So, if you are a resident of Karnataka and haven’t obtained a driving license as yet, then now is the time to do so.

With an easy application process and minimal documentation and fees, applying for a driving license in Karnataka is a hassle-free process.

A car insurance policy is mandatory for every vehicle registered at Karnataka RTO as per The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

To be eligible to obtain a driving license in the state of Karnataka, an individual has to meet the below requirements:

• You need to be minimum 18 years of age to avail a permanent driving license in Karnataka.
• You must first procure a learning license. You can apply for a learning license at the age of 16/18 years.
• You can apply for a permanent driving license 30 days after getting learner’s license. Also, permanent DL should be procured within 180 days from the date of issue of the learner’s license.
• Applicants should be aware of all the basic traffic rules and regulations.

To apply for a driving license in Karnataka, an applicant will have to follow the below procedure. The first step towards getting a DL in Karnataka is to first procure a learner’s license only after which, the transport authority of Karnataka would be able to produce a permanent DL to the applicant. The process covers steps for both online and offline DL application in Karnataka.

How to get a driving license online in Karnataka?

With technological advancement, it has become easy for residents of Karnataka to avail a driving license online.

Here are a few steps you need to follow:

• Download form no.4 from transport.karnataka.gov.in/index.php/
• Fill the form and submit it at the RTO along with the relevant documents
• Ask the RTO official to schedule a driving license test for you
• Reach for the driving test half an hour before the scheduled time
• On passing the test, the applicant will receive the driving license within 30 days through speed post

How to get a driving license offline in Karnataka?

• You can collect the driving license form from the nearest RTO office.
• After submitting the form along with the required documents, you will be allotted a time slot for the driving test.
• On passing the driving test, your driving license will be sent to your registered address via speed post.

Ideally, a driving license is valid for a period of 20 years or until the age of 50, whichever is earlier. An application for driving license renewal in Karnataka can be made within 30 days from the date of expiry.

Documents required for application of driving license renewal in Karnataka:

• Application form 9. You can collect this form from the RTO or can download it from www.rto.kar.nic.in
• Form 1 i.e. physical fitness form and from 1-A i.e. medical certificate. Form 1A has to be submitted in case if the applicant is above the age of 50.
• 4 recent passport size photographs
• Original driving license form
• Self-addressed stamped postal cover for the dispatch of the renewed driving license.
• The above documents have to be submitted at the RTO along with a fee of Rs. 250.

In case the DL is renewed after the grace period of 30 days, then the applicant has to pay an additional fee of Rs. 50. In case of delay for a year or more, the applicant will be charged Rs. 100.

Driving license for a non-transport vehicle is renewed for a period of five years and for a transport vehicle, the DL is renewed for three years.

Here are all the details about the driving license test procedure conducted in the state of Karnataka. Note: To appear for the test, you will have to take your own vehicle or a vehicle provided by your motor training school. The vehicle that you drive should belong to the class of the driving license type that you have applied for.

Four-wheelers test: The applicant applying for a license for a two wheeler or three wheeler vehicle will be asked to drive the motor vehicle along the ‘H’ mark, without touching the poles planted at the edges. This is done to test your driving skills and knowledge about how well you can control the vehicle. The test will be inspected by a motor vehicle inspector on whose inspection you will be presented the DL.

Two wheeler and Three-Wheeler test: The applicant will be asked to drive your two-wheeler or three-wheeler motor vehicle along the ‘Figure 8’ mark, without touching the poles planted at the edges. This test will also be conducted in presence of the motor vehicle inspector and on his inspection, you will be issued your driving license.