Driving License - Kerala

The Department Of Motor Vehicles, Kerala, issues driving licences to applicants based on the type of driving licence being registered.

The different types of driving licences in Kerala are:

• Driving licence for motorcycles up to an engine capacity of 50cc

• Driving licence for two-wheelers geared and gearless

• Driving licence for light motor private vehicles(non-transport vehicles)

• Driving licence for light motor commercial vehicles(transport vehicles)

• Driving licence for heavy goods vehicle

• Driving licence for other vehicles with specified description

The Department Of Motor Vehicles, Kerala, has provided the eligibility criteria for applying for a driving licence in India.

The details are as follows:

• The applicant should have attained the age between 16 and 18 to apply for a two-wheeler with an engine capacity of up to 50cc.

• The applicant should have attained 18 years of age to apply for a private light motor vehicle(non-transport vehicle).

• The applicant should have attained 20 years of age and have passed class 8 to apply for a commercial vehicle(transport vehicle).

• The applicant will be exempted from one year of driving experience for the driving licence for an auto rickshaw.

• The applicant should have been educated about the traffic rules and regulations.

• The applicant should have applied for the permanent driving licence after 30 days or within 180 days from the date of issuance of the Learner's driving licence.

The application for a Kerala driving licence requires certain important documents for the registration process.

Here is a detail of the documents.

• If the applicant is below 50 years of age and is applying for a private vehicle, i.e., a non-transport vehicle, a physical declaration form, Form 1, is necessary. In addition, Form 1A, a medical certificate from a medical practitioner, is mandatory.

• The application form for learner’s licence, Form 2

• The application form for a driving licence, Form 4.

• Eye test certificate provided by an ophthalmologist.

• Copy of identity and address proofs such as the passport, voter ID card, Aadhar card, etc., attested by applicable Government officials.

• Learner's licence.

The first step towards applying for a permanent driving licence in Kerala is applying for a learner’s licence. The applicants will have to apply for a learner’s licence to learn and practise their driving skills.

It is provided to the applicants who have applied and passed the learner’s licence test. The learner’s licence is valid for 6 months. Applicants can apply for a permanent driving licence after 30 days of the issuance of the learner’s licence.

There are online and offline methods to apply for a Kerala driving licence. Here are the steps for the online and offline processes.

Online Process

• Visit the webpage for the Department Of Motor Vehicles, Kerala.

• Access the Menu list at the extreme right-hand side of the webpage.

• Click on 'Licences'.

• The Parivahan Sarathi webpage of the Ministry Of Road Transport & Highways, Government Of India, specific to the Transport Department, Government Of Kerala, will open.

• This page can be accessed directly by visiting the Parivahan - Sarathi website, choosing the Drivers/Learners Licence under License-related services and selecting Kerala for the state under the drop-down list.

• Click on ‘Apply For Learner’s Licence’ under the available options.

• Provide the necessary details and register for the test.

• Appear for the Learner’s Licence test.

• Further, anytime after 30 days of the issuance of the learner’s licence, click 'Apply For Driving License' under the available options on the same page for the permanent driving licence.

• Fill in the required applicant details.

• Upload the necessary documents.

• Upload a photograph and signature, if required.

• Book a slot for your driving licence test.

• Pay the required fees.

• Verify and print the receipt.

• The online application number will be generated.

• Take printed copies of all the documents submitted and provide them at the RTO office. Take the original copies to manage any discrepancies.

• Appear for the driving test.

Offline Process

• Visit the nearby RTO office.

• Request the application form and fill in the required details.

• Submit the duly filled application form and the other required copies of identity and address proofs.

• Book your driving licence test slot based on a convenient date and time.

• Appear for the driving test.

Applicants will have to pay the applicable fees based on the type of driving licence.

Here is a detail explaining the fee structure for the different types of driving licences in Kerala.

In Kerala, the applicant can appear for the driving licence after 30 days from when the learner's licence was issued. A motor vehicle inspector will assess the applicant's driving skills to qualify for the driving licence issuance.

The driving test is conducted in two phases for the Kerala Driving Licence.

Phase 1 - Ground Test

The ground test is conducted to examine the applicant's control over the vehicle. It is judged by asking the applicant to drive the vehicle based on specific shapes on the road. For example, for two-wheeler insurance, the applicant will have to drive over an 'eight-shaped-track', and for four-wheeler insurance, the applicant will have to drive over an 'H-shaped-track'.

Phase 2 - Road Test

The road test is conducted to analyse the applicant's driving skills. The invigilator will monitor the gear shifts, speed control, compliance with traffic rules, etc.,

Based on the performance of the applicants in these tests, the invigilator will take the final decision on passing or failing the candidate's driving licence application. If passed, the applicant will receive the driving licence at the registered address. And if not passed, the applicants can apply for the process again.

A duplicate driving licence is provided if the applicant lost or damaged the original licence. The applicant should have applied for the duplicate driving licence within 6 months of losing the original licence.

The documents required for applying for a duplicate licence in Kerala are:

• Application Form LLD

• Copies of FIR, Affidavit, and the complaint

• Identity and address proofs

• Form No. 1

• Copy of driving licence

• Driving licence number Kerala

Here are the simple steps that need to be followed:

• Visit the Parivahan-Sarathi website, choosing the Drivers/Learners Licence under License-related services and selecting Kerala for the state under the drop-down list.

• Further, click 'Apply For Duplicate DL' under the available options.

• Read the instructions and click on ‘Continue’.

• Provide the ‘Driving Licence Number’ and ‘Date Of Birth’.

• Click on ‘Get Details’.

• Check the driving licence information and click on ‘Proceed’.

• Fill in the application form.

• Upload the necessary documents. FIR will be required if the driving licence is lost. If it is a commercial driving licence, a challan clearance report for the traffic police will be required.

• Pay the required fees.

If an Additional Endorsement of a Driving License is required, a slot for the driving test might have to be booked.

Applicants can also apply for a duplicate driving licence offline by visiting any of the nearest RTO offices, filling in the necessary application form and providing the required documents directly.

Applicants can also renew their driving licence online in Kerala. The driving licence is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or up to 50 years of age, whichever is earlier. Applicants can renew their driving licence within 30 days from the expiry date. It is the grace period. An additional fee will be charged if it is applied after 30 days. And if the period exceeds 5 years, the applicant will have to apply for a new driving licence. The renewal fee is ₹200.

The documents required for the renewal of a driving licence in Kerala are:

• Applicants driving licence

• 2 passport-size photographs- recent

• Application Form 9

• Form 1 and Form 1A if the applicant is above 40 years of age

• Copies of identity and address proofs

Here are the steps for the driving licence renewal online Kerala.

Visit the Parivahan-Sarathi website, choosing the Drivers/Learners Licence under License-related services and selecting Kerala for the state under the drop-down list.

Further, click 'Apply For DL Renewal' under the available options.

Read the instructions and click on ‘Continue’.

Provide the ‘Driving Licence Number’ and ‘Date Of Birth’ in the spaces provided.

Click on ‘Get DL Details’ and check the driving licence information.

Click on ‘Proceed’ and fill out the application form.

Upload the necessary documents.

Pay the required fees.

If an Additional Endorsement of a Driving License is required, a slot for the driving test might have to be booked.

Applicants can also apply for the renewal of their driving licence offline by visiting any of the nearest RTO offices, filling in the necessary application form, Form 9 and providing the required documents directly.

Applicants who want to drive a motorcycle abroad can apply for an International License Kerala. The application process is as follows:

The documents required for the International Driving License in Kerala are:

• Valid driving licence

• Proof Of Nationality

• Passport size photographs - 5

• Copy of Visa, Air Ticket, Passport

• Form 1A

• Written application form to the RTO

Here are the steps for the renewal process.

• Visit the Parivahan-Sarathi website, choosing the Drivers/Learners Licence under License-related services and selecting Kerala for the state under the drop-down list.

• Further, click 'Apply For International Driving Permit' under the available options.

• Fill in the application form.

• Upload the necessary documents.

• Pay the required fees.

• Provide the documents at a nearby RTO to complete the verification process.

Applicants can also apply for the International Driving License offline by visiting any of the nearest RTO offices, filling in the necessary application form and providing the required documents directly.

Note: The procedures and documents required are subject to changes and revisions. Therefore, applicants must verify the procedures before proceeding with the application process.

Applicants can check the status of their driving licence application online. Here are the few necessary steps.

• Visit the Parivahan-Sarathi website, choosing the Drivers/Learners Licence under License-related services and selecting Kerala for the state under the drop-down list.

• Further, click 'Application Status' or 'Complete Your Pending Application' under the available options.

• Provide the Application Number and Date of Birth.

• Enter the captcha code and click on 'Submit'.