How to Apply for Learning Licence in Maharashtra

Driving your own vehicle is convenient and simpler than depending on paid drivers or hired cabs. When you know driving you can use your vehicle any time you want. To learn driving and to drive legally in India, you need to have a valid driving license. When you apply for a driving license, you are, first allotted a learning license before you can avail a driving license. This learning license is valid for six months after which you can apply for a driving license.

Maharashtra is a big and busy State and though there are different modes of public transport, many of you might prefer owning and driving your own vehicle. To do so, you would have to apply for a learner’s license followed by a driving license before driving on Maharashtra roads legally. Let’s therefore, understand the complete process of applying for and availing a learner’s license in Maharashtra.

Types of learning licenses in Maharashtra

The RTO issues different types of learning licenses depending on the type of vehicle which you intend to drive. Thus, there are different types of learning licenses which are issued by the RTO in Maharashtra depending on the type of the vehicle and its intended use. These types of licenses include the following –

• Learner’s license for geared motorcycle
• Learner’s license for non-geared motorcycle
• Learner’s license for Medium Goods Vehicle
• Learner’s license for Invalid Carriage Vehicle
• Learner’s license for Road Rollers
• Learner’s license for Light Motor Vehicles
• Learner’s license for Heavy Goods Vehicle
• Learner’s license for Medium Passenger Vehicles
• Learner’s license for Heavy Passenger Vehicles
• Learner’s license for Specifically Designed Vehicles

Eligibility criteria to apply and avail learning license in Maharashtra

To get a learner’s license in Maharashtra, you would have to fulfil the specified eligibility criteria. These criteria include the following –

• If you are intending to drive a non-geared bike, you should be aged at least 16 years. If you are below 18 years, you should avail a consent from your parent or guardian to apply for the license
• If you are intending to drive a Light Motor Vehicle, you should be aged at least 18 years
• To drive a commercial vehicle in Maharashtra, you should be aged at least 20 years
• You should have studied till at least 8th standard
• You should have the knowledge of the traffic rules and regulations applicable in the State of Maharashtra

The need for learning license for availing a driving license

Applying and availing a learner’s license in Maharashtra is the first step to get a driving license. A driving license is not issued until you have a learner’s license in your name. So, if you want to obtain a driving license, a learner’s license is a must. The license allows you to drive on the roads of Maharashtra so that you can learn about the traffic rules and also practice your driving skills. Once you are comfortable with driving, you can apply for a permanent driving license and easily pass the required driving test if you have practised properly after availing a learner’s license. A learning license is, therefore, essential for you to drive and practice driving before you apply and pass the permanent driving license test.

Documents needed to get a learning license in Maharashtra

To apply for a learning license in Maharashtra in avail the license successfully, you would have to submit the following documents at the RTO –

• The test appointment receipt for availing the learner’s license
• Form 1 which is the Physical Fitness Certificate of the applicant. It should be duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Form 1A which is the Medical Certificate. This certificate should be filled in by a medical practitioner who has been appointed or authorized for this purpose by the State Government of Maharashtra
• Passport-sized photographs of the applicant
• Valid age proof of the applicant which can be the voter’s ID card, PAN Card, Aadhaar card, passport, birth certificate, etc.
• Valid address proof of the applicant which can be the passport, Aadhaar card, rent agreement, property deed, utility bills, etc.
• For availing the learner’s license for a transport vehicle, you should furnish the original driving license which you have for driving a light motor vehicle

How to apply for a learning license in Maharashtra?

There are two modes to apply for a learning license in Maharashtra. These modes are online mode and offline mode. Here are the steps of applying for a learning license in Maharashtra through both these modes –

• Applying for a learning license in Maharashtra through the online mode –
  It is simple to apply for a learning license in Maharashtra through the online mode as it is convenient and you don’t have to step out of your home. The steps to apply for the learner’s license online are as follows –
  
  • Visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways at https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
  • Go to the ‘Online Services’ tab and choose ‘Driving License Related Services’
  • A new page would open wherein you should select your State Maharashtra for applying for a license there
  • Once the State is selected, you would get a list of RTOs from where you can apply for a learning license in Maharashtra
  • Choose the RTO closest to your home so that you can easily visit the RTO for application and for giving the test
  • A new page would open wherein you should choose the ‘Apply Online’ tab and click on ‘New Learners License’
  • A new page would open wherein the steps would be mentioned
  • Hit on ‘Continue’ and proceed to provide all the details of the applicant
  • Upload your documents once the details have been entered
  • You would also have to upload your photograph and signature online
  • Book the slot for taking the driving test mandatory for availing the license
  • In the next step, pay the fees for applying for the license and your application would be complete

  • Go to the RTO which is nearest to your place of residence
  • Acquire the application form for learner’s license as well as the other forms which are needed to be filled and submitted. You can, alternatively, download the forms from the website https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ , fill them up and then submit them at the RTO
  • Along with the form, attach all the relevant documents which are needed to apply for the learner’s license
  • Pay the applicable fee for an application for the license
  • Pick the slot when you would like to take the driving test for the license
  • On the appointed date and at the chosen time slot, visit the RTO and give the driving test
  • If you clear the driving test, the RTO would issue you a learner’s license and the license would be sent to your registered address

  Application form for Learner’s License

  As mentioned earlier, you are required to fill up an application form for availing a learning license in Maharashtra. This form is separate from Forms 1 and 1A which declare your physical fitness and medical health. The form is called Form 2 which you can fill online or download and fill and submit to the RTO. The details in the form include the following –

  • The type of motor vehicle that you intend to drive
    There is a list of vehicle categories mentioned in the form and you need to choose the category for which you are seeking the license
    
  • Personal details of the applicant
    Under this head, you would have to provide the following details –
    • Your name in full
    • Name of your father/spouse
    • Your permanent address as mentioned in the address proof that you are submitting
    • Your temporary address, if any
    • For how long have you stayed at the present address
    • Date and place of birth
    • If you were born outside India, the date when you migrated to India
    • Education qualification
    • Any identification mark that you have
    • Blood group

    After filling up the form with these details, you are required to sign it or put your thumb impression and date it before submitting it to the RTO.

    Fees for applying for a learning license in Maharashtra

    You have to pay a fee along with the application for a learner’s license. This fee is payable to the RTO and it amounts to INR 151 for making the application and INR 50 for taking the driving test after which the license would be granted.

    Details about the learner’s license test

    Before you are granted the learner’s license, a test is taken by RTO to check your driving know-how. Only if you pass this test would the license be issued by the RTO. This is an online or a written test which checks your knowledge about traffic rules and road safety measures. Here are some details of the test –

    • The test consists of Multiple Choice Questions where you have to pick the correct answer for the question from the options given. A minimum of 60% marks is needed to pass the test
    • The test can be held online or on a paper at a specified time as chosen by you when applying for the license
    • There is course material for the test which is usually provided by the RTO when you apply for the learner’s license. Alternatively, you can find the type of questions asked in the test online through this Learning License Test Questions question bank.
    • If you have made an online application for availing the learner’s license, the fee payment confirmation slip would have to be submitted at the RTO to be able to sit for the test
    • If you fail the test, you can reappear for it after a week

    Applying for a learning license in Maharashtra is simple and can be done online. Once you have a learner’s license, you can start driving legally. So, apply for the learner’s license and start driving. It is fun and also a convenient way to commute.

    I applied for a learner’s license in Maharashtra and then I shifted to Punjab. Would my license be valid in Punjab?

    Yes, a learner’s license is valid throughout India. So, even if you shifted to Punjab, you can use your license to drive on Punjab roads.

    I want to apply for a learner’s license for a scooty and a car. What is the process?

    Both these vehicles belong to different classes as a scooty is a non-geared vehicle while a car is a geared one. Thus, you would have to make two applications for learner’s license for both the vehicles and pay the application fee separately. The test, however, can be taken at once for both the vehicles.

    I have a learner’s license and now I want to apply for a permanent driving license. Can I do so?

    You can apply for a permanent driving license within 180 days of availing a learner’s license. So, if you have a learner’s license and 180 days have not passed since getting that license, you can make an application for a permanent driving license.

    Can I book the test slot for a learner’s license online?

    Yes, you can book an online test slot of availing a learner’s license. To do so, you should visit the website https://parivahan.gov.in/, click on ‘Driving Related Services’, enter in your State and RTO and a new page would open. On the left-hand corner, choose the ‘Appointments (Slot Booking)’ tab under which choose the ‘Learner’s License Test’. A new page would open wherein you have to mention your application number, date of birth and verification code. Verify these details and then you would find the available slots for the test. You can pick any slot convenient to you and book it online.

    Can I renew my learning license?

    A learning licence has a validity of 6 months within which you can either apply for a permanent driving license or after which you can renew your learner’s license. Renewal can be done online or offline but it would be done from the same RTO which issued your learner’s license initially.