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Sikkim, a north-eastern state has a strong economy owing to its agricultural production and tourism sectors. Both these sectors get a boost from the robust transportation system here. The well-connected roadways have also made the lives of residents easy. However, all vehicle owners in Sikkim must ensure that they have a driving licence while driving on public roads.

As stated in the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, you must possess a valid driving licence in Sikkim to be legally compliant. This official document also acts as an important document of identification.

The Sikkim driving licence is broadly classified into four groups:

1. Learner’s Licence

A learner licence is issued to those who are willing to obtain a permanent driving licence. It is a provisional driving licence given to those who are applying for a permanent driving licence for the first time. After 30 days counted from the day of the issuance of a learner's licence, vehicle owners must apply for a permanent driving licence.

2. Permanent Licence

A permanent driving licence is issued to you after you have got hold of the learner’s licence. It is given to those who have passed a driving test. This official document has a validity period after which you have to renew it to be legally compliant. Holding a permanent driving licence certifies that vehicle owners are well-versed with traffic rules and regulations and have good driving skills.

3. Commercial licence

A commercial driving licence is issued to those who drive heavy motor vehicles for business purposes. Either these vehicles are used for the transportation of goods or traversing passengers. The validity period of a commercial driving licence is three years. However, to obtain this licence, vehicle owners or drivers must have a minimum qualification of clearing the eighth standard.

4. International licence

As the name suggests, international driving licences are issued to vehicle owners who wish to drive their motor vehicles outside India. Individuals who hold this licence qualify to rent and drive any motor vehicle in a foreign country. The validity of an international driving licence is 1 year.

Here following are the eligibility criteria that you must know before applying for a driving licence:

• For obtaining a driving licence for a light motor vehicle, driving licence applicants must have attained an age of 18 years or above.
• The minimum age limit is set at 16 for those willing to obtain a driving licence for two-wheelers with engine capacity below 50 ccs.
• For acquiring a commercial driving licence, vehicle owners must be at least 20 years old.

Besides adhering to the eligibility norms, you must also be aware of the following documents required to obtain a driving licence in Sikkim.

1. Address Proof

• Voter ID
• Ration card
• Passport
• Temporary address proof
• House agreement
• Utility bills
• LIC policy bond

2. Age Proof

• Birth certificate
• SSC certificate
• PAN card
• Educational certificate
• Passport

3. Other Necessary Documents

• Application Form 5
• Application Form 4
• Learner’s licence
• Passport size photo

In the era of digitisation, it has become convenient for vehicle owners to make an application for a driving licence in Sikkim from the comfort of home. Here are the steps to apply for a driving licence in Sikkim online:

• Step 1: Firstly, go to the official website of the transport department of Sikkim and head to the ‘Driving Licence’ tab.

• Step 2: Download a driving licence application form. Provide the necessary details to fill out the form.

• Step 3: Submit the form along with the prescribed documents and photographs to the Regional Transport Office.

• Step 4: Book a driving test slot. Attend the test on the mentioned date and time.

Upon passing a driving test, you will get a learner's licence. After you receive this provisional licence, you have to apply for a permanent driving licence within 30 to 180 days of getting a learner’s licence. You have to attend a driving test following the application to finally obtain a permanent driving licence.

You can also make an online application for a Sikkim or SK driving licence from the Parivahan website. Follow the steps below to do so:

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan website. Navigate to 'Online Services' present on the left side of the page.
• Step 2: Choose ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ from its displayed list. Choose the state name- Sikkim in this case.
• Step 3: For those who are applying for a driving licence for the first time click on ‘Learner’s licence’ on this redirected page. Read the instructions and click on ‘Continue’.
• Step 4: Choose your preferred category from the option. Select ‘Applicant does not hold any driving/ learner licence issued in India’ and click on ‘Submit’.
• Step 5: Now fill out this application form with all your necessary details. Read the self-declaration Form 1 carefully while filling it out and then finally click on 'Submit'. Upload necessary documents.
• Step 6: Book a slot for a driving test. Appear for it on the mentioned date and time. As you pass the test, a learner's licence will be issued.

After getting your learner’s licence, you have to follow a few more steps to obtain a permanent driving licence.

• Step 7: First go to 'Online Services', choose 'Driving Licence Related Services' and click on 'Apply for driving licence'.
• Step 8: Read the instructions and click on 'Continue'. Provide your learner's licence number and date of birth.
• Step 9: Get redirected to the driving licence application form. Fill it out, attach the necessary documents and upload the form. Clear your payment.
• Step 10: Once you do this, you will get an application number.

After that, visit the nearest RTO and confirm a driving test slot. Appear for the test. Upon passing it, you will get a permanent driving licence.

You can also opt for the offline method to obtain a driving licence in Sikkim.

• Step 1: Go to the nearest Regional Transport Office and get a driving licence application form. You can also download this application form from the official website of the Sikkim Transport Department.
• Step 2: Provide necessary details like Full name, date of birth, residential address, place of birth, guardian name, blood group, educational degrees etc., to fill out the driving licence application form.
• Step 3: Submit relevant documents (age proof, address proof and passport-size photos)
• Step 4: Take an appointment regarding the driving test.

Once you qualify your driving licence test, you will get a learner's licence. Within 30 to 180 days of receiving a learner's licence, you have to apply for a permanent licence. You have to again appear for a driving test, and qualify it to acquire a permanent driving licence.

You have to qualify for a driving test to obtain a driving licence. Hence it is important for you to know the intricacies of the test procedure. The test is conducted according to the provisions mentioned in the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and is supervised by a motor vehicle inspector. It is important for you to carry your vehicle on the day of the test and keep in mind that the vehicle must match the vehicle type you have mentioned in the driving licence application form.

For Two and Three-Wheeler Vehicles

For two and three-wheeler vehicles, you have to ride your vehicle following an '8' pattern. You must ensure that your feet do not touch the ground and that you are inside the created boundary. Through this test, the invigilator assesses your riding skills and declares whether you have passed or failed the test. If you pass you will be asked to ride on the main road.

For Four-Wheelers

Be it a two-, three or four-wheeler driving licence test, the process is fundamentally similar. The only difference is; that you have to drive your vehicle in an 'H-shaped' pattern.  The invigilator examines your driving skills and ensures whether you are comfortable while driving or not. Only if the motor vehicle inspector is satisfied with your performance, he or she will ask you to drive on public roads. If the invigilator is satisfied with your driving skills, you will get your driving licence.

You have to get an international driving licence if you want to drive your motor vehicle in a foreign country. It is imperative to know that you have to renew your international driving licence after every year.

Follow the steps mentioned below to get an international driving licence in Sikkim.

• Step 1: Go to the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Select Sikkim > Apply for International Driving Permit.
• Step 2: Fill out Form 4A and Form 1A with the necessary details.
• Step 3: Mention all information related to your driving licence, residential and identity proof.
• Step 4: Submit the forms with supporting documents and attend the driving test that you have booked beforehand.
• Step 5: Pay the required amount while submitting the forms and documents.

After a successful application process, you will get an international driving permit.

A driving licence has a validity period. After which you must renew it. The validity period of a non-commercial vehicle is 20 years or till the vehicle owner attains the age of 50 years (whichever is earlier). For a commercial vehicle, the driving licence needs to be renewed after every five years. The detailed process of how to renew a driving licence is as below:

Online Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Sikkim

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan official portal and head to its 'Online Services'.
• Step 2: Choose 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down menu and choose the state name Sikkim.
• Step 3: On the redirected page, choose ‘Apply for DL (driving licence) renewal’.
• Step 4: Now go through the instructions and click on ‘Continue’.
• Step 5: Enter the driving licence number (choose from any of the formats mentioned below), date of birth and captcha code. Then click on ‘Proceed’.
• Step 6: Upload necessary documents and passport-size photographs. Make sure to put a digital signature.
• Step 7: Finally complete the payment process via your preferred gateway.

Offline Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Sikkim

• Step 1: Go to the nearest Regional Transport Office and get the driving licence renewal application form.
• Step 2: Fill out the form with the necessary details. Submit it with your required documents. (If you are making a driving licence renewal application from another state, submit the No Objection Certificate).
• Step 3: Mention all the important details linked to the driving licence and give a passport-size photo.
• Step 4: Make payment for the standard fee. If needed, confirm a slot for the medical/ driving test.
• Step 5: Pass the test to get a driving licence.

Aged drivers and transport vehicle owners have to submit a medical certificate to get a driving licence.

To renew your driver's license in Punjab, you will need the following documents:

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

Note: Make sure that the driver must be at least 40 years old.