Driving Licence Chennai

Q: What is period of validity of Driving Licence ?

Validity of driving licencePrivate Driving license is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or till the holder attains 40 years of age, which comes earlier.After the age of 40years, the Driving licence will be issued for 10 years & then 5 years subsequently.Validity for Non Transport Vehiclesa) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is less than 30 years, then the Non Transport Validity would be till the attainment of 40 yearsb) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >= 30 and <50, then the Non Transport Validity would be for a period of 10 yearsc) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >=50 and <55, then the Non Transport validity would be effective until the date on which such person attains the age of 60 yearsd) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >=55, then the Non Transport validity would be effective for a period of 5 years

Last updated: June 15, 2025

New driving licence in Chennai is issued by RTO Chennai. You can apply for driving licence in Chennai for car or bike or for both car and bike depending on your requirement. Choose the class of driving licence appropriately as per your Process for DL apply in Chennai is online.

Class of Driving Licence

MC 50CC: For motorcycles up to 50 CC
MC EX50CC: For motorcycles above 50 CC
MCWG or M/CYCL.WG: For all motorcycles
LMV-NT: For light motor vehicles (cars)

Application process for driving licence in Chennai is of two stage

Learning Licence: Beginners have to apply for learner's licence first. Its objective type theory test to check your knowledge about traffic rules and road signs and signals. Upon clearing learning test, you get learner's licence. Validity of learner's licence is six month.
Permanent Driving Licence: You can Apply for permanent licence after 30 days from the date of issue of learner's licence. You need to clear driving test to get permanent licence.

Apply for Driving License Chennai

Following are the steps to apply for driving licence in Chennai :

Filling of the online form on Parivahan portal
Paying RTO fees for learner licence
Scheduling of learner's licence test slot
Appearing in the learner's licence test
Issue of learner's licence
Apply for permanent licence after 30 days from the date of issue of leaner's licence
Fees payment for permanent licence
Scheduling of permanent licence test slot
Appearing in the permanent licence test
Issue of permanent licence

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Over View

Driving Licence

After being eligible and learning driving skills, individuals who have yet to get a driving licence can apply through an online platform initially with the submission of required documents instead of going to the RTO Chennai for the same. The issuing of a driving licence mainly consists of two stages:

First Learning License will be made
After 30 days of Learning License, permanent License can be applied.

During learning Licence, computer-based theory test will be there. The learners licence test is basically a check to see whether you know core traffic rules and signals or not. Almost everyone taking this test clears it in one go with the basic preparation. The learners licence is valid for about 6 months in India. In case of expiry of the Learner Licence the applicant needs to repeat the process afresh.

Within the learning driving licence validity, you have to go for the permanent licence process, whereby the applicant will have to undergo a practical driving test. After passing the driving licence test, it takes a minimum of 30 days to get a permanent driving licence.

For the first step of issuing driving licence in Chennai ,Citizens would be able to apply for the learning licence online and without going to RTO Chennai office . But this service is only available in contactless mode if your Aadhaar Card information is linked with your mobile no otherwise you have to visit the Chennai RTO office to obtain the service.

Process

Driving License - Process

Book order online
Make advance payment to confirm the order
Upload documents required for driving licence
Appointment scheduled for Learning License test at RTO
Visit of applicant to RTO for Learning License test
Receive Learning License
After 30 days of Learning License issue date, appointment scheduled for Permanent DL
Visit of applicant to the RTO for permanent DL test
Receive permanent DL by post

Document Required

Driving License - Documents Required

Duly filled Form No. 1, 2, 3.
Three recent passport size photographs .
Proof of address ( Aadhar Card, Passport, LIC Policy, Voter ID card, Telephone Bill, Electricity Bill).
Proof of Age (School Certificate ,Birth Certificate ,PAN card).
Medical fitness certificate if applicant's age is above 50 years

Forms

Driving License - Forms

Form no. 1
Sample form no. 1
Form no. 1A
Sample form no. 1A

FAQ's

Driving License - FAQ

1. What is period of validity of Driving Licence ?

Validity of driving licence

Private Driving license is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or till the holder attains 40 years of age, which comes earlier.

After the age of 40years, the Driving licence will be issued for 10 years & then 5 years subsequently.

Validity for Non Transport Vehicles

a) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is less than 30 years, then the Non Transport Validity would be till the attainment of 40 years

b) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >= 30 and <50, then the Non Transport Validity would be for a period of 10 years

c) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >=50 and <55, then the Non Transport validity would be effective until the date on which such person attains the age of 60 years

d) If the age of the applicant on the date of issue or renewal is >=55, then the Non Transport validity would be effective for a period of 5 years

2. How can I get driving licence in Chennai?

New Driving Licence in Chennai is 2 stage process . First learning driving licence will be made . After 30 days permanent licence is made.

Learning Driving Licence in Chennai

First stage of getting Driving Licence is Learner's driving licence . For this application along with supporting documents and requisite fees should be submitted to the Chennai RTO .

After this appointment for theory test is given . On the day of appointment candidate will have to undergo computer based theory test. After clearing the test , Learning driving Licence will be issued .

Validity of it is 6 months.

Permanent Driving Licence in Chennai

After 30 days from the date of issue of learning Licence , applicant needs to apply for Permanent driving licence . Again application to RTO Noida needs to be submitted along with supporting documents and requisite fees.

After this again appointment for Driving test will be given . On the time of appointment scheduled , applicant will have to undergo driving test .

After clearing the test , applicant will be issued Driving Licence .

3. How much does it cost to get a license in Chennai?

Following is the driving licence fees structure for different application types of driving licence in Chennai

Issue of learner’s licence - Rs. 150

(for each class of vehicle)

Learner’s licence test fee - Rs. 50

For test, of competence to drive - Rs. 300

(for each class of vehicle)

Issue of a driving licence - Rs. 200

Issue of International Driving Permit - Rs. 1000

Renewal of driving licence - Rs. 200

4. How can I get driving licence without test in Chennai?

Its not possible to get driving licence without test in Chennai. You will have to mandatorily go through Driving licence test both in the learning licence as well as permanent licence procedure.

5. How should I prepare for the driving test?

Apart from the obvious driving skills, you will be tested on your ability to maneuver your vehicle in a crowded area. The theoretical part of the test pertains to your ability to recognize road signs, simple queries about the assemblies and about signals, sensors, and indicators of vehicle system.

6. What If Failed in Test during permanent license ?

The applicant who has failed in test of competence to drive can collect his application along doucuments and can reappear for the test after 7 days by paying requisite fees .

7. What is the upper age limit for driving license in Chennai?

There is no maximum age limit to apply for driving licence in Chennai, as per motor vehicle act. Till the time person is medically fit , he/she can apply for driving licence.

8. Can I drive immediately after passing my test in Chennai ?

No, you can not drive vehicle till the time you get valid driving licence. Mere clearing test will not be sufficient . Driving licence should be issued.

9. How long does it take to receive the driving license after passing the test?

After you pass your driving test, your driving license takes about 30 days to arrive at your home address in Chennai.

10. What should I do if I lose my learner's license before getting the permanent driving license in Chennai?

You should visit your local transportation office and bring the original documents with you.

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