Driving License in Kerala

To drive your four-wheeler or two-wheeler on Indian roads, holding a driving license is mandatory. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 has made it mandatory for an individual to possess a driving license to freely drive his vehicle in any public areas in India. The rule also implies in the Indian state of Kerala that doesn’t permit an individual to drive, without holding a valid driving license.

The Regional Transport Office of Kerala is entrusted with the responsibility of issuing a driving license to its citizens. The RTO office also provides other driving-related services such as the issuance of International driving license, renewal of DL, etc. In the state of Kerala, driving licenses are issued by 17 regional and 42 sub-regional transport offices. If you are a resident of Kerala, then here’s a comprehensive guide that will help you procure a DL in the state in an easy way.

Owning a car or a bike is no longer a luxury, it has become a necessity for commuting. Getting necessary documents like driving licence, four wheeler insurance, two wheeler insurance as per the type of vehicle you own is equally necessary with owning a vehicle. Having a third-party liability cover along with a valid driving licence has been mandated as per the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 to be able to drive or ride legally on public roads of India.

The Motor Vehicles Department of Kerala has listed down the below eligibility requirements for an individual to comply with to obtain a driving license in the state.

• To apply for a motor cycle with an engine capacity of less than 50 cc, the applicant should be between the age of 16-18 years and should obtain a written consent from his parents.
• To apply for a non-transport vehicle DL, the applicant should have attained 18 years of age.
• To apply for a transport vehicle DL, the applicant should be above the age of 20 and should have passed class 8.
• If the applicant needs a transport vehicle driving license for driving an auto rickshaw, then he will be exempted from one year driving experience.
• The applicant should be well-versed with traffic rules and regulations.
• The applicant should apply for a permanent DL after 30 days or within 180 days from the date of issuance of the learner’s license.

Applying for a driving license in Kerala is an easy process as the applicant can do the same by following the online procedure or offline one.

How to apply for driving license online in Kerala?

• The applicant can directly download the form from keralamvd.gov.in/index.php/forms/driving-licence
• The form is available on Kerala Motor Vehicles Department website both in English and Malayalam.
• The applicant can also apply for driving license in Kerala through parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
• Click on ‘online services’, then select ‘driving license related services’.
• Select Kerala and then click on ‘apply online’ on the left bar of the page.
• Then click on new driving license and then continue
• Fill the applicant details
• Upload the documents
• Upload your photograph and signature (check if this facility is available for your state)
• Book a slot for your DL test (check if this facility is available for your state)
• Pay the fees online
• An online application number will be generated.
• Take printout of all forms, documents submitted.
• Submit the printouts of the form and the documents at the RTO office. Carry your original documents along.
• Book a slot for your DL test if you couldn’t do it online.
• Appear for the driving test

How to apply for driving license offline in Kerala?

You can apply for a driving license offline in Kerala through your nearest RTO office.

• Collect the application form from the RTO office.
• Fill the form and attach the relevant documents along with it
• Submit the duly filled form and the documents to the office
• Book a slot for your driving license test.
• Appear for the DL test on time.

In the state of Kerala, a driving license is valid for 20 years or until the age of 50, whichever is earlier. A driving license is subject to renewal within a grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry. If the applicant applies for a DL after the grace period, then an additional fee of Rs. 300 will be charged.

For the renewal of driving license in the state of Kerala, an applicant has to submit the below list of documents:

• Driving license
• Application Form 9
• Form 1 and Form 1A
• 2 recent passport size photographs
• An application fee of Rs. 200 and service charge of Rs. 50.

If the applicant applies for renewal of driving license after 5 years from the date of expiry, then he will have to apply for a fresh driving license.

Procedure for application of renewal of driving license in Kerala:

• The applicant can download the form online through keralamvd.gov.in/index.php/forms/driving-licence

• The applicant can also apply for renewal of DL in Kerala through www.keralamvd.gov.in/index.php/license2. Click on ‘Apply Online’ on ‘License Renewal’, select the office name, enter your license number and date of birth, click on ‘Go’ and an application number will be generated. Reprint your online application and visit the RTO with the printed copies and your original documents. Submit the printed copies and documents to the RTO. On verification of the documents, the applicant will receive the renewed DL within a span of a few days.

• Driving license renewal application can also be done online through parivahan.gov.in/parivahan

• An applicant can also apply for renewal of DL offline by visiting the nearest RTO office and collecting the form from the office. Fill the form and attach all the required documents and pay the fees. On verification, the renewed DL will be issued to the applicant.

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, driving license test is conducted in 2 parts – the first being the ground test and the second one, the road test. In the ground test, an applicant’s control over the vehicle is tested i.e. to judge whether the applicant is efficient enough to control the vehicle. To obtain DL for two wheelers and three wheelers, the applicant has to ride along an ‘8-shaped track’, whereas for car, the applicant has to drive along ‘H-shaped track’. In the ground 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 weeks’ time.