Driving License application process in Kerala
If you are a resident of Kerala and willing to apply for a driving license. Then, you should be aware of the process of how to apply for it. This guide will help you understand the driving license application process in detail.
What kind of driving licenses you can apply for in Kerala?
In the state of Kerala, you can apply for the below-mentioned driving licenses if you meet the eligibility.
If you are a Karnataka resident and have not obtained a driving license yet, then it is the time to apply now. Check here the detailed process of how to apply for a driving license in the state of Karnataka.
- Learner’s/learning license: Before obtaining a permanent driving license in Karnataka, an applicant needs to apply for a learner’s license first. This is a temporary license with a validity of 6 months. It is issued when the applicant is in the process of learning a motor vehicle.
- Permanent driving license: After 1 month of getting a learner’s license, you can apply for a permanent license.
- Driving license for motorcycles without gear: You can apply for this kind of permanent driving license if you wish to ride a scooter or moped that does not have a manual gearbox. The applicants should be at least 16 years of age to procure such a license.
- Driving license for light motor vehicle: This class of driving license can be applied by the people who are willing to drive a light motor vehicle such as bikes or cars. To get this license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Eligibility criteria to apply for driving license in Kerala?
Below given is the eligibility criteria to obtain a driving license in Kerala-
- The applicant should be above the age of 18 if he/she is applying for a vehicle not exceeding the engine capacity of 50CC
- To apply for a private vehicle, an applicant should be above the age of 18 years
- To apply for a driving license for a commercial vehicle, an applicant should be above the age of 20 years
- The applicant should apply for a driving license 30 days after getting a learning license and within 180 days of the date of the issue mentioned on your learner’s licence
- The applicant should be well-versed with traffic rules and regulations
- You must have a learning license
Documents required for driving license in Kerala
- Form 1 i.e. self-declaration of physical conditions. If you are below 50 years and applying for a non-transport driving license
- Form 1A i.e. the medical certificate form. This form is to be submitted by the applicants who are above the age of 50 and are applying for a non-transport vehicle driving license
- Form 4 i.e. the application form for driving license
- Eye test certificate to be obtained from an ophthalmologist
- Attested copies of age and address proof documents such as election card, passport, Aadhaar card, passport, etc
- Passport-sized photographs
- Form 3 i.e. Learner's license
- Application fees
Online process
- To apply for your license online in Karnataka, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of Government of Kerala Transport Department.
- Fill the online application form and attach all the supporting documents
- Pay the required fees which is Rs. 200
- After that, the document verification will be done, and then you will be issued the new driving license
Offline process
To apply for a driving license via an offline mode in Kerala, you need to follow the below procedure. Please note, applicants are eligible to apply for a permanent driving license after holding a learner’s license for at least 30 days.
- Visit your nearest RTO and get an application form no 4. Fill and submit it along with relevant documents
- If you are applying for a commercial driving license, you will also need to submit form 5 i.e. driving certificate issued by a driving school or establishment
- Also, you would be required to pay a small fee of Rs. 200 to the RTO
- After that, an RTO official will assign a slot to you to undergo a driving license test. On passing the test, you will receive your driving license via post within 2-3 weeks
How to check your driving license status in Kerala?
The status of the driving license can be checked either online or by visiting your nearest RTO. For an online check, the applicant is required to visit his/her state's transport department official website i.e. https://www.keralartc.com/main.html and enter details such as receipt number, license number, name, and date of application. Once these details are submitted, the status is displayed.
How can you make corrections in your driving license online?
If an applicant wishes to make any changes in their driving license, they need to forward a written application along with the relevant documents with the correct information. Remember, this can only be done in the same RTO which issued your original license. Once approved, you can collect your license with the correct information on the same day. You will be charged a small fee of Rs. 215. Also, the applicant is required to be present at the RTO office to be photographed by the official for record purposes.
How to get a duplicate driving license in Kerala?
In the state of Karnataka, applicants can also file their application for a duplicate driving license if it is stolen or lost. Remember, you should apply for a duplicate license within 6 months after the official driving license is lost or stolen. The duplicate driving license can be obtained at the RTO who initially issued you the original license. The applicant should bring all the required documents and get verification from the RTO officials. One can also apply for a duplicate driving license online via the state department website.
Documents required to get a duplicate driving license
Here are all the required documents for a duplicate driving license:
- A copy of FIR (First Information Report), if the license is stolen
- Proof document of age and address
- Fee for application
- Application Form LLD
- An affidavit detailing the reason for applying for a duplicate driving license
- Details of your original driving license
How to renew your driving license in Kerala?
You have two options i.e. online and offline. You can choose the one that suits you the most. In online mode, you need to visit the official website of your state. Fill the renewal application form there and submit it along with the documents. Pay the fee which is Rs. 300. Once your documents and application are verified, your license will be renewed. If you are choosing the offline mode, visit your nearest RTO office and collect the application form 9. Fill the details, submit the documents, and pay the fees. After successful verification, you will get your license renewed.
Driving license test procedure in Kerala
An applicant can appear for a driving license test only after 30 days from the date of issuance of the learner’s license. In the state of Kerala, a driving license test is conducted in 2 parts – the first is the ground test, and the second one, the road test.
In the ground test, the applicant's control over the vehicle is tested. To obtain a driving license for two-wheeler and three-wheelers, the applicant needs to ride along an ‘8-shaped track’, whereas, for a car, the applicant is required to drive along an ‘H-shaped track’.
In the road test, your driving skills are tested. If the applicant passes the test, an acknowledgment receipt is given, and the driving license is sent to the registered address of the applicant within a week.
