Driving license application, fee, status check and download

While the Driving License (DL) is actually like any other government document, the first time you get this card is a different experience. Many of us wait until the age of 16 to get this driving license. It symbolizes a handful of freedom and responsibility at the same time. This article provides detailed information about the types of driving license, how to apply, status check and download.

What is a driving license?

Driving license is a license issued by the regional transport authority of the state government which is mainly given to drive any motorized vehicle like bike, scooter, private car, bus, truck etc. A license is not required for driving non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles or rickshaws or towing vans. However, a license is not required for small motorized vehicles such as electric cycles or rickshaws.

This driving license is held for a fixed period like 15-20 years, after which it has to be renewed again.

Depending on the type of vehicles, there are different types of this license, like if you only have a bike license, you cannot drive a car, you need to get a car license for that. You can license for one or more vehicles.

Importance of driving license

It is very important to have a driving license or its legal certificate in order to drive any type of vehicle, because to get this license one needs to pass the test of driving ability of that particular type of vehicle and also needs to understand the rules of road signals.

The process of getting this driving license is designed in such a way that one can get this license only if he learns to drive well, along with understanding the road signals or hand signals. This process is designed to keep roads safe and above all to protect people’s lives.

Type of driving license

Driving license is of following 4 types respectively-

• MCWOG (Motor Cycle Without Gear) or gearless two-wheelers like gearless scooty, moped etc.
• MCWG (Motorcycle with Gear) or Geared Two-Wheeler like Motorcycle/Bike, Geared Scooter etc.
• LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) or light vehicles like SUV, MUV, sedan, hatchback etc
• HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle) Commercial/heavy vehicles like buses, trucks, lorries etc

Driving license eligibility

Following qualifications are required for driving license in West Bengal:

• Minimum age for gearless car driving license is 16 years.
• Minimum age for driving license for geared two-wheeler is 18 years.
• Minimum age for four-wheeler or light motor vehicle driving license is 18 years.
• Minimum age for transport vehicle or transport driving license is 20 years.
• Applicants must obtain a learner’s license before applying for a driving license.

Learner’s License

If you want to get a driver’s license, you need to get a learner’s permit first, because you have to learn to drive and then take a test to get a driver’s license. This learner’s license is the official documentation or permit for when you are learning to drive.

This permit is valid for 6 months and cannot be renewed. You can take the driving license test 1 month after getting the learner’s permit, that means you get a total of 5 months for the test. If your driving license has not been issued after 6 months of the permit, you will need to apply for a learner’s license again.

Necessary documents of driving license

The following documents are required to apply for driving license in West Bengal:

• Form 2 Application Form for Permanent Driving License
• Form 1 application form as proof of physical fitness
• Form 1A Medical certificate signed by a doctor for applicants above 40 years of age
• Photocopy of PAN card
• Photocopy of Learning License
• Aadhaar Card
• Birth certificate or any other proof of age
• Passport size photograph
• Payment receipt

Driving License Fee West Bengal

The following table shows West Bengal Driving License Fees:

Procedure for obtaining driving license

You can apply for driving license from RTO office in the following ways:

• You will need to visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO) after the cool off period of your learner’s license expires.
• Depending on the type of vehicle you wish to apply for, you will need to take a driving test for that type of vehicle on a specific track.
• You will be notified immediately if you pass the test and your driving license will reach your address within a few days.
• Otherwise you can apply for re-examination if you don’t pass.

Driving license online application

You can apply for learner’s license online in the following ways:

• You need to visit the official portal of Parivahan.gov.in.
• At the bottom of the home page under ‘License Related Services’ click on the first option ‘Drivers/ Learners License’.



• Only then you will reach the carriage service page of West Bengal Government Transport Department where you have to click on the first option ‘Apply for Learner Licence‘.



• After clicking on ‘Continue’ you will reach the ‘Application for Learner’s Licence (LL)’ page where you have to click on ‘Applicant does not hold any Driving/Learner license issued in India’ and fill the captcha and submit.
• You need to click on ‘Submit via Aadhaar Authentication’ for which you can apply for learner’s license without going to RTO office through Aadhaar verification.
• After that you can write Aadhaar number at the bottom of the page and get authenticated through OTP.
• After authentication the complete application form will open in front of you, fill it properly and submit it.
• Then you need to upload the image and signature as a document.
• Then pay the learner license fee through online payment ie ₹150/- for 2 wheeler and ₹50/- for test i.e. total is ₹200/- etc. You must print or download the payment receipt.
• Then you can go to the home page and click on ‘Application Status‘ to check the status.

Driving license status check

You can check driving license status from the portal by following the following steps:

• You go to ‘sarathi.parivahan.gov.in‘ and select ‘West Bengal’ from the state.



• Then click on ‘Application Status‘ in the menu.
• Now the status can be seen after filling the application number, date of birth and captcha and submitting.

Driving license offline application

Following are the ways you can apply for driving license offline:

• You must have your Learner’s License (LL) before you apply for a driving license for the first time. For that you need to visit the nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office) and apply for learner’s license.
• You have to pay a fee of ₹50/- for the Learner’s License Test and ₹150/- for the Learner’s License Document.
• A driving test is conducted one month after the issuance of LL, the date and time of which you will know from the office. You will need to pay a fee of ₹300/- for this test and ₹200/- for the license.
• You will have to drive to the test venue on the specified day and the examiner/inspector will let you know whether you have passed the test or not.
• You will receive your driving license (DL) in the post a few days after passing the driving test.