Driving License in Punjab

In today’s day and age, owning a motor vehicle has become important as it is the most reliable mode of transport that makes travelling easy for everyone. One of the reasons why people own a motor vehicle is that it is one of the most convenient modes of travel and one does not require you to depend on public transportation. But before you get on the roads, you need to hold a driving license that gives you the liberty to ride or drive your vehicle anywhere, anytime.

A driving license is a legal document that allows an individual to ride either a transport or a non-transport vehicle. There are a number of different rules governing the application of a driving license in different states. The state of Punjab too has its own set of provisions and rules that an individual needs to comply with to obtain a driving license in the state.

So here’s a detailed guide that will help you with the process of obtaining a driving license in Punjab.

The state of Punjab has set out a strict eligibility criterion for applicants looking to avail a driving license in Punjab.

An applicant should meet the below eligibility requirements and he would not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle if he does not comply with the set application criteria.

• The applicant should be above 16 years to drive a motorcycle with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 CC.

• The applicant should have attained the age of 20 to drive motorcycles with gear and light motor vehicles such as cars, bikes, etc.

• The applicant should have attained the age of 20 to drive transport and commercial vehicles.

• The applicant should possess a learner’s license and should apply for a permanent driving license after 30 days or within 180 days from the date of issuance of the learner’s license.

The State Transport Government has made it easy for citizens to avail a driving license by providing both online and offline facility. Both for getting the driving license, an applicant will have to approach the nearest Suwidha Center or Registering Authority. A driving license test will be conducted on the basis of which the applicant will receive a DL.

Here’s how an applicant can apply for DL in Punjab online

• The applicant can directly download the form from here. olps.punjabtransport.org/forms.aspx and fill and submit it along with the relevant documents at the RTO.
• The applicant can also fill the form and upload documents online by visiting the website parivahan.gov.in/parivahan
• The application process through Parivahan requires the applicant to submit scanned copies of the documents online and then downloading the copies of duly filled application form and the documents. An acknowledgment will be generated which the applicant will have to show at the RTO office.
• On opting for any of the above online process, the applicant will then have to appear for a driving license test.
• The slot for the driving license test can be booked online or at the RTO office also.
• On passing the test, the applicant will receive his DL on the same day.

Here’s how an applicant can apply for DL in Punjab by following the offline process

• The applicant will have to visit the RTO and collect the form
• The applicant will have to fill the form and attach all the required documents and submit it to the RTO office.
• The applicant will then have to ask an RTO official to schedule a particular time and date for the driving test
• The applicant will then have to appear for the test.
• On passing the test, the driving license will be issued to the applicant on the same day.

A driving license issued in Punjab is valid for 20 years or up to the age of 50, whichever is earlier. A driving license issued for a transport vehicle is valid for 3 years. On expiry of the license period, an individual will have to renew his driving license.

Here is how you can renew your driving license in Punjab

Documents required for renewal of driving license in Punjab

• Application form 9
• Medical certificate form 1-A
• Valid copy of the driving license
• 3 copies of passport size photographs
• Application fee of Rs. 30 if the driving license is in a book form and fee of Rs. 200 for smart card DL.

Procedure for renewal of driving license in Punjab

• An applicant can download the renewal form online from parivahan.gov.in or can collect the form from the RT.

• The applicant applying for renewal of driving license online in Punjab can submit the required details online and can also upload the documents online. On doing this, he will receive a receipt of the acknowledgement. The applicant will have to show the receipt and the documents submitted online at the RTO. On verification of the documents, a renewed DL will be issued to the applicant.

• If the applicant does not wish to upload documents online, then an application form for DL renewal in Punjab can be downloaded directly from Punjab Government’s transport website- olps.punjabtransport.org/forms.aspx

• If applying offline, then the applicant will have to collect the form from the RTO and attach all the documents and submit it there. He will then receive the renewed driving license on the verification of the documents and the form submitted.

Note: Driving license has to be renewed within 30 days from the date of expiry. If the applicant misses out on renewing the DL within the grace period, then he will be charged an additional late renewal fee along with the nominal renewal charges.

In order to get a driving license, an applicant has to go through a driving license test which will be conducted to gauge his driving skills. The state of Punjab has over 32 driving test centers out of which 28 have automated tracks, meaning the tracks are equipped with cameras and sensors that monitor a candidate’s driving skills. If the candidate passes the test, then a ‘no-objection’ pop up is displayed on the motor vehicle inspector’s computer screen, meaning that the candidate has passed the test.

To pass a four-wheeler test, a candidate has to drive the vehicle through a small hill, an ‘S-shaped track’ and ‘8-shaped track’. The candidate has to park his vehicle without letting it touch the white lines drawn on the track.