How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Odisha in 2024?

Located in the eastern portion of India, Odisha is a coastal state on the Bay of Bengal. It is the 8^th largest state and an important centre for tourism in East India. Along with rich ecological diversity, Odisha is home to a tiger reserve and protected wildlife sanctuary popularly known as Simlipal National Park. Odisha is also a famous tourist attraction for the 800 years old Sun Temple at Konark which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To cater to the voluminous tourist footfall multiple private and public vehicles ply through the state. Among others, the state government’s Transport Department authenticates driving licences in Odisha to ensure lawful operations in the province.

The Transport Department of Government of Odisha is the authoritative body responsible for issuing four kinds of driving licences in this state. The following types of driving licences are issued in Odisha:

1. Learner’s Licence

A learner’s licence is provided when a candidate is still learning to drive a vehicle. This licence is valid for up to 6 months. In 6 months, if the candidate is still not ready, they must apply for their learner’s licence again. However, while holding a learner’s licence, drivers must be accompanied by another experienced driver.

2. Permanent Licence

After 6 months, the permanent licence is issued. However, there are certain conditions. Candidates must be above 18 years of age and must have cleared the driving test to obtain a permanent driving licence. This licence is valid for 20 years or until the licence holder turns 50. When licence holders turn 50, they must renew their driving licence, irrespective of the issue date.

3. Commercial Licence

A commercial driving licence is issued to those who drive commercial or transport vehicles like buses, cabs, or goods-carrying vehicles. Unlike a permanent licence, candidates must be above 20 to be eligible for a commercial driving licence. Moreover, a candidate must qualify for the 8th standard and have a minimum driving experience of 1 year.

4. International Vehicle Permit

An international driving licence allows individuals to drive in a foreign country. Candidates must hold a permanent driving licence before applying for an International Driving Permit. This permit remains valid for a year; candidates must apply for it again after it expires.

The Transport Department of Government of Odisha implements certain conditions for obtaining a driving licence to ensure road safety and lawful traffic behaviour. Here are the minimum requirements for applying for a driving licence in Odisha:

• An individual must be 16 years old or above to apply for a driving licence for a two-wheeler with an engine capacity below 50 ccs.
• To get a driving licence for two-wheelers with gear and/or light motor vehicles, the applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• To apply for a permanent driving licence, each individual must hold a valid learner's licence for at least 30 days.
• A candidate must be at least 20 years old to apply for a commercial driving licence.

Irrespective of the type of licence, each applicant must be familiar with the existing traffic rules and regulations in this state.

If you are willing to apply for a driving licence in Odisha, you must produce the following documents:

1. Proof of Age

Documents that can be provided as proof of age are mentioned below:

• Voter ID
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Utility Bills
• Employment Certificate from the Central or State Government

2. Address Proof

The documents that can be provided as address proof are mentioned below:

• Voter ID
• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Ration Card
• LIC Policy Bonds

3. Other Necessary Documents

Documents necessary to apply for a driving licence are mentioned below:

• Application form 2/4
• Driving Licence Form 5 for those applying for a commercial driving licence
• Passport size photographs
• Application fee charges

Thanks to the Digital India initiative of the Government of India, now you can easily apply for a driving licence from the comfort of your home. Find below a detailed step-by-step guide to applying for an Odisha driving licence:

• Step 1: Visit the Parivahaan Sewa portal of Government of India.
• Step 2: Hover your cursor over "Online Services" and click on "Driving Licence-Related Services".
• Step 3: Select your state “Odisha” from the drop-down menu at the centre.
• Step 4: Click on the learner’s licence icon.
• Step 5:  Read all the instructions carefully and click on “Continue”.
• Step 6: Choose your category from the drop-down menu and click on "Submit".
• Step 7: Fill in all your details carefully.

Note: If you have Aadhaar with updated data, you can opt for eKYC whereby the complete procedure will take place online. In case the particulars do not match, your application will be redirected to the concerned RTO to finish verification and submit all the relevant documents at the site.

• Step 8: Pay the requisite fees.
• Step 9: Book the slot for the learner's test or take this test online if you are eligible for eKYC.
• Step 10 (For candidates not eligible for eKYC): Visit the concerned RTO office for document verification and take the learner's test.

On completing the above-mentioned steps, you will get a date by which you can expect to receive your learner's licence.

After 30 days of receiving a learner’s licence, an individual is eligible to apply for a permanent driving licence. Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for the same:

• Step 1: Visit the Parivahaan Sewa portal of Government of India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Step 2: Take your cursor to “Online Services” and click on “Driving Licence Related Services”.
• Step 3: Select your state "Odisha" from the options available.
• Step 4: Click on “Apply for Driving Licence”.
• Step 5:  Read all the instructions given and click on “Continue”.
• Step 6: Enter your learner's licence number and date of birth. Click on "Ok".
• Step 7: Fill in all your details carefully.
• Step 8: Pay the requisite application fees for a permanent driving licence.
• Step 9: Book a time slot for your driving test.
• Step 10: Download the payment receipt and acknowledgement slip. Also, take a printout of the documents.
• Step 11: Visit the concerned RTO office with all the documents to get them verified and take your driving test.

After finishing the driving test, you will receive your permanent driving licence via post within a month.

As the Transport Department of Odisha is responsible for roadways and transport-related operations it issues driving licences in this state. Follow the below-mentioned procedure to successfully apply for the same:

• Step 1: Visit your local RTO office and request the form to apply for a learner's licence or driving licence.

Note: If you have a valid learner’s licence for more than 30 days, you may apply for a permanent driving licence.

• Step 2: Duly fill up the form with all the relevant details and attach the required documents.
• Step 3: Submit the application form and pay the requisite application fees.
• Step 4: Get all your documents verified by the concerned authority at the RTO office.
• Step 5: Book the time and slot for your written or driving test. (The nature of your test will differ based on the type of licence you are applying for. For a learner's licence, you only have to give a written test. However, a driving test is mandatory for a permanent driving licence).
• Step 6: Appear on the selected date and time for your written or driving test at the RTO office.

After completing the test, the concerned RTO officer will process your application for a learner's or driving licence.

After completing the application process for a driving licence in Odisha, you must undergo a driving test to prove your competence in driving two/four wheelers on the road.

Following are some of the tests conducted in Odisha:

Driving Test For Two and Three-Wheeler Vehicles

The applicant is asked to ride inside an "8" shaped track. Based on this evaluation, the inspector examines the applicant's driving abilities before allowing them to drive on public roads.

Driving Test For Four-Wheelers

In this test, drivers are generally being asked to showcase their reversing skills and drive through an "H" shaped track. Even a minor mistake could mean disqualification for the applicant. After this, the applicants have to undergo a practical test where they are asked to drive a vehicle on a public road.

Once you have succeeded in the driving test, the concerned RTO officer will initiate the process to dispatch your driving licence.

To get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Odisha, the applicant must visit the regional transport office. However, remember that having a permanent DL is compulsory in order to qualify for an IDP:

Following are the steps to opt for an International Driving Permit: 

• Step 1: Go to the official Parivahan Government Website
• Step 2: Click on ‘Online Services’ and select the “Driving License Related Services” option
• Step 3: Choose the state - Odisha
• Step 4: Go to the Menu and click on “International Driving Permit (IDP)”
• Step 5: Select “Continue” to proceed 
• Step 6: Enter Date of Birth and DL Number 
• Step 7: Click on “DL Details”
• Step 8: After this, click on “Govt. Driving Training School Odisha” 
• Step 9: Upload the necessary documents like Passport, VISA, Form 1A, and Driving License and click on ‘Submit’.

Each permanent driving licence in this state comes with a validity of 20 years. Upon the expiry of said duration, the licence holder may choose to renew the existing driving licence. To renew a driving licence in Odisha, the licence holder must follow these steps:

Online Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Odisha

• Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan Sarathi portal of the Government of India.
• Step 2: Click on the “Drivers/Learners Licence” button.
• Step 3: On the state selection page, select your state "Odisha" from the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: Click on the “Apply for DL Renewal” button.
• Step 5: Read all the instructions carefully and click on "Continue".

Note: If the applicant is above 40 years of age, they must procure a signature from a licensed medical practitioner declaring the applicant’s fitness to drive.

• Step 6: Enter your driving licence number, date of birth and enter the captcha and click on “Get DL Details”.
• Step 7: Verify if all the details are correct. Select your RTO and click on “Continue”.
• Step 8: Upload the relevant documents as instructed on the next page.
• Step 9: Pay the requisite application fees for driving licence renewal.
• Step 10: Take a printout of all acknowledgement slips along with other receipts.
• Step 11: Visit your RTO office with all the relevant documents to apply for renewal of the driving licence.

Offline Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Odisha

• Step 1: Reach your nearest RTO office and request Form 9.
• Step 2: Fill out its columns correctly and attach copies of your expired driving licence.
• Step 3: Submit Form 1A along with a medical certificate of its driving licence holder (if 40 years above).
• Step 4: Attach 2 recent passport-size photos while submitting the form.
• Step 5: Provide age and address proof.
• Step 6: Pay the relevant fees which are ₹200.
• Step 7: After complete verification of your document and form the RTO office will issue a renewed DL.

The list of documents needed for renewing a driver's license in Odisha is as follows:

• Form 1A 
• Copy of the expired DL.
• Applicant’s coloured passport-size photos (2) 
• Medical certificate (if applicable)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Form 9
• Payment receipt for the application charges of ₹200.
• Photocopy of ID proof as a resident of Odisha