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

Uttarakhand, the 27^th Indian state, is one of the fastest-growing economies that mainly relies on the tourism industry. Carved out of Northern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand had more than 2.7 million registered vehicles at the end of 2019. The Transport Department of Uttarakhand deals with several transport-related matters.

Moreover, they ensure that the RTOs strictly adhere to road safety norms and maintain all the other enforcement functions entrusted to them per Motor Vehicles Act 1988. To add more, Uttarakhand Transport Department offers fully digitised services to issue driving licences in Uttarakhand.

A mandatory traffic rule, every vehicle owner and driver in Uttarakhand must carry a valid driving licence while driving on the streets of this state. Here is a comprehensive list of the types of driving licence Uttarakhand RTO issues:

1. Learner’s Licence

The learner's licence acts as a restricted document valid for 6 months. After you pass the driving test, you receive a learner's licence from your nearest RTO. A learner's licence legally permits you to drive on Indian streets. However, when you are driving a vehicle, another individual holding a permanent driving licence must accompany you.

2. Permanent Licence

You receive the permanent driving licence after 30 days of holding a learner’s licence. However, to get this licence, you must pass the driving test. RTO officials will test your driving skills and knowledge of traffic rules and symbols. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old or above to hold a permanent driving licence.

3. Commercial Licence

RTO authorities in Uttarakhand ensure you know how to drive commercial vehicles – cars, buses, trucks, etc. After that, they issue a commercial driving licence. According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, you must hold a learner's licence to receive a commercial driving licence.

4. International Licence

RTO officials in Uttarakhand will issue an international driving licence if you hold a permanent driving licence. This licence also acts as a permit and identity proof to travel abroad. It allows you to drive or rent 2- or 4-wheelers outside India. However, the basic criteria to receive an international driving licence is you must be 18 years old or above.

Besides, avoid driving any vehicle without a valid driving licence in Uttarakhand. Otherwise, you might have to pay a fine of ₹2500. Moreover, if you hold a suspended licence, you must pay a fine of ₹5000.

The eligibility criteria to apply for a Uttarakhand driving licence are as follows:

• If you require a permanent driving licence, you must be at least 18 years of age.
• If you apply for a driving licence for transport vehicles, you must be at least 20 years of age.
• To receive a learner’s licence, you must be at least 16 years old.
• You are eligible for applying for a permanent driving licence in this state only after you procure a learner's licence.
• You can apply for a driving licence after 30 days or within 180 days from the date of obtaining a learner’s licence.
• To qualify you must be well-versed in traffic symbols, rules and regulations.

When you apply for a driving licence in Uttarakhand, you must attach some documents along with the application form. Below are the documents you must attach:

1. Address Proof

• LIC policy bond
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Ration card
• Employer’s certificate issued by local/state/central government

2. Age Proof

• Educational certificate
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Employer’s certificate issued by local/state/central government

3. Other Necessary Documents

• Original/Valid learner’s licence
• 3-passport-size photographs
• Form 5 is for a commercial driving licence
• Form 4

You can follow the below steps to apply for a driving licence in Uttarakhand through the online method:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa.

• Step 2: Go to its top section and move to the left. Select 'Online Services'. Click 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down menu.

• Step 3: It will take you to the Sarathi website. Scroll down and enter your state's name– Uttarakhand.

• Step 4: The screen will display a host of services that the RTOs deliver in your state. Select 'Apply for Driving Licence'.

• Step 5: It will take you to a new webpage that mentions the process of driving licence application. Go through these instructions carefully before filling out the driving licence application form.

To apply for a driving licence in Uttarakhand offline, follow the below steps:

• Step 1: Arrive at the nearest RTO in Uttarakhand.
• Step 2: Collect an application form, and understand the instructions to fill in the application.
• Step 3: Duly fill in this application form. Attach the age, address proofs, and passport-size photographs. Submit this form to the RTO officials.
• Step 4: Book an appointment for the mandatory driving test.

Once you pass the driving test, you receive a learner’s licence. 

However, you can also apply for a driving licence in this state by visiting the official website of the Uttarakhand Transport Department.

• Step 1: Go to the 'Licence' section at the left and click to find several forms you can download.
• Step 2: Download the driving licence application form.
• Step 3: Fill it out, attach documents, pay the fees and submit it to the RTO physically.

Once you apply for a driving license in Uttarakhand, you must take a driving test to show you can drive cars or motorcycles. The test process is different for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers.

Test for Two-Wheeler & Three-Wheeler

Those participating in driving tests for two and three-wheelers will need to navigate a track with the number '8'. Your riding skills and vehicle control will be assessed by the examiner. If they are satisfied with your performance, you will be authorised to ride the vehicle on public roads.

Test for Four-wheeler

Regarding a four-wheeler driving exam, you will be asked to navigate the car through a track shaped like the letter 'H'. The motor vehicle inspector will evaluate your driving abilities and how comfortable and focused you are. If the exam goes well and the examiner is happy, you will get permission to hit the public roads.

Remember that a minor mistake while riding/driving vehicles during the test can lead to disqualification. Hence, be confident and stay focused during the examination.

The online and offline procedure to receive an international driving licence in Uttarakhand is simple.

Below are the steps you must follow:

Online Method

• Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan, select 'Online Services', and click on 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the drop-down.
• Step 2: It will redirect you to the Sarathi portal. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. It asks you to enter your state's name. Enter Uttarakhand.
• Step 3: It will redirect you to a new portal. Choose ‘Apply for International Driving Permit’.
• Step 4: Provide details of your date of birth, driving licence, and captcha. Fill out the form, upload identity and residential proofs and other necessary documents.
• Step 5: Pay fees and verify the payment status. Schedule a slot for the driving test and visit the RTO to take your driving test.

After verifying your application and documents, RTO officials will provide you with an international driving licence within a few days.

Offline Method

• Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO office in Uttarakhand.
• Step 2: Collect an application form for an international driving permit.
• Step 3: Fill in the details in the application form, and mention the countries you want to visit and your period of stay there.
• Step 4: Attach the necessary documents and submit them to the RTO authorities. 
• Step 5: Pay the fees, gather the payment receipt, and you will receive your international driving licence at your registered address.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, you will have to pay a hefty fine if you fail to renew your driving licence after 5 years from the expiry date.

There are two ways to renew a driving licence in Uttarakhand – online and offline. Here are these two processes mentioned in detail:

Online Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Uttarakhand

• Step 1: Visit the official portal of Parivahan, find 'Online Services', click on that option and select 'Driving Licence Related Services' from the list of services.
• Step 2: As you land on the Sarathi webpage, enter the name of your respective state – Uttarakhand.
• Step 3: The screen displays a host of services on the new webpage. Select ‘Apply for Driving Licence Renewal’.
• Step 4: The screen displays a page with instructions on application submission. Enter your driving licence number, date of birth and captcha.
• Step 5: Fill in the application form, and attach a photo and your digitised signature. Also, provide the necessary documents.
• Step 6: Pay the fees, and verify your payment status. Use this payment receipt for future reference.

After verifying every document, the RTO authorities will send the new UK driving licence to your residential address.

Offline Process for Driving Licence Renewal in Uttarakhand

• Step 1: Visit your nearest RTO in Uttarakhand. Collect, duly fill, attach documents, and submit the driving licence renewal application form at the RTO office.
• Step 2: The RTO officials will ask for your driving licence details. Provide that and attach a passport-size photograph.
• Step 3: Pay the fees, and collect the payment receipt. You can use the payment receipt for future use.
• Step 4: Schedule a slot for a mandatory driving test, undergo the driving test and get your driving licence after you pass it successfully.

To save yourself from unnecessary fines, please check the expiry date of your driving licence and apply for a new one within that time period.

In Uttarakhand, you must provide the following documents for the renewal of your driving license:

• Get Form 1A 
• Photocopy of the permanent/expired DL
• Two coloured passport-size pictures of the applicant 
• Form 9
• Medical certificate
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• PUC Certificate 
• Payment receipt for the ₹200 application charges
• Photocopy of ID proof as an inhabitant of Uttarakhand