Documents Required for Driving Licence: What You Actually Need
Getting a driving licence in India takes two steps: a learner’s licence, then a permanent licence after a driving test. The good news is that the driving licence documents are the same at both steps: proof of age, proof of address, a photo and signature and a short health declaration. This guide lists the documents required for a driving licence, in language so your application doesn’t get stuck at the RTO.
Documents Required for a Driving Licence
The basic set for most first-time applicants.
Application Form
Filled online on the Sarathi portal, or on paper at the RTO.
Proof of Age
A document that shows your date of birth.
Proof of Address
A document that shows your present address.
Health Declaration
A simple self-declaration that you are physically fit to drive.
Photo and Signature
Uploaded as a scan online, or passport-size photos at the RTO.
Fee Receipt
Proof that you paid the application and test fee, which varies by state.
Aadhaar (Optional)
Not compulsory, but it lets you use the contactless Aadhaar route in states that offer it.
Documents for the Permanent Driving Licence
You can apply for the licence after holding your learner’s licence for at least thirty days and before the learner’s licence expires (the learner’s licence is valid for six months). Keep these ready:
- Your learner’s licence
- Age proof and address proof
- Form 1 (and Form 1A if it applies to you)
- Photo and signature
- Fee receipt and your test slot booking
- Driving school certificate if you trained at a driver training centre (Form 5B)
Driving Licence Documents by Situation
Renewal:
Your old licence, Form 9, Form 1 (plus Form 1A if you are 40 or older or hold a transport licence), a photo and the fee.
Lost or damaged licence (duplicate):
Form 15, a photo, the fee and a police complaint copy or affidavit as per your state. Your RTO will confirm what it needs.
Change of address:
Form 33, your licence and proof of your new address.
Adding a new vehicle class:
Your existing licence, a new learner’s licence for that class, and the health forms.
Commercial or transport licence:
The same documents, plus Form 1A and, in many states, a driving school certificate.
If you renew more than a year after your licence expires, you may have to take the driving test again, so don’t leave it late.
Keep Your Driving Licence Documents Ready on Your Phone
A driving licence application requires papers, such as proof of age, proof of address, health forms and receipts for the fee. These papers are often spread across email, WhatsApp and old folders. You will need them again when you renew. Docu Wallet stores scans of all your driving licence documents in one place on your phone. A PIN keeps them private. Type “Aadhaar” or “learner licence” and the file appears in seconds without the internet. Your documents also back up to your Google Drive, so a lost or new phone does not mean starting over.
Download Docu Wallet from the Google Play Store and have your licence documents ready before your RTO visit or renewal.
