Driving Licence Fees in India
Published on 7 October 2026
Getting a driving licence in India involves more than paying a single application fee. Depending on the service you need, you may have to pay charges for a learner’s licence, learner’s licence test, driving test, issue of the permanent driving licence, renewal, addition of another vehicle class or other services.
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 prescribe the basic fees for driving licence-related services. The actual amount payable on the Sarathi Parivahan portal can vary depending on the service, state or additional charges applicable to the transaction.
As of 2026, the central fee structure includes ₹150 for a learner’s licence for each class of vehicle, ₹50 for the learner’s licence test, ₹300 for the driving test for each vehicle class and ₹200 for issuing a driving licence.
This guide explains the major driving licence fees in India and how much an applicant may have to pay at different stages.
Driving Licence Fees in India: At a Glance
The following are the main fees prescribed under the central fee structure:
| Driving licence service | Central fee |
| Learner’s licence, per vehicle class | ₹150 |
| Learner’s licence test or repeat test | ₹50 |
| Driving competence test, per vehicle class | ₹300 |
| Issue of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Addition of another vehicle class to DL | ₹500 |
| Renewal of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Renewal after the applicable grace period | ₹300 + additional late fee |
| International Driving Permit | ₹1,000 |
| Change of address or other DL particulars | ₹200 |
| Appeal against licensing authority order | ₹500 |
| Hazardous-goods vehicle authorisation/renewal | ₹1,000 |
These are the central licence-related fees listed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The late-renewal provision includes an additional ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay, calculated after the applicable grace period.
The amount displayed during an actual online application should be treated as the final amount payable for that transaction.
Learner’s Licence Fees
A learner’s licence is normally the first step when applying for a new driving licence.
The central fee for issuing a learner’s licence is ₹150 for each class of vehicle. The learner’s licence test or repeat test carries a fee of ₹50.
For example, if you apply for a learner’s licence for one vehicle class, the basic central charges are:
- Learner’s licence: ₹150
- Learner’s licence test: ₹50
- Total: ₹200
If you apply for more than one vehicle class, the learner’s licence fee is charged for each class.
The exact amount shown by Sarathi can include applicable additional charges, so applicants should check the payment summary before completing the transaction.
Driving Licence Test Fee
After obtaining a learner’s licence and meeting the eligibility requirements for a permanent driving licence, the applicant has to take the driving competence test.
The central fee for the test is ₹300 for each class of vehicle. A repeat driving test also attracts the prescribed test fee.
For example, an applicant taking the test for one vehicle class pays:
Driving test fee = ₹300
If the applicant is applying for two vehicle classes, the test fee is generally calculated separately for each class.
Permanent Driving Licence Fee
Once the applicant passes the driving test, the central fee for issuing the driving licence is ₹200.
For a single vehicle class, the basic central charges from learner’s licence to issue of the permanent DL can therefore work out to:
| Stage | Fee |
| Learner’s licence | ₹150 |
| Learner’s licence test | ₹50 |
| Driving test | ₹300 |
| Issue of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Basic total | ₹700 |
This ₹700 figure should not be treated as a guaranteed final amount in every state. The amount payable on Sarathi may be different if additional charges apply.
Example: Cost for Two Vehicle Classes
Suppose an applicant wants to obtain a licence for two vehicle classes.
The central fee calculation would be:
- Learner’s licence: ₹150 × 2 = ₹300
- Learner’s licence test: ₹50
- Driving test: ₹300 × 2 = ₹600
- Issue of driving licence: ₹200
Basic total = ₹1,150
The actual amount payable can differ depending on the state and transaction.
Fee for Adding Another Vehicle Class to a Driving Licence
If you already have a valid driving licence and want to add another vehicle class, the prescribed central fee is ₹500.
For example, a person who already has a licence for a car may apply to add another eligible category.
The applicant may also have to complete the applicable testing and documentation requirements for the additional class. The amount shown by Sarathi should be checked before payment.
Driving Licence Renewal Fees
The central fee for renewal of a driving licence is ₹200.
If the application is made after the applicable grace period, the prescribed fee is ₹300, along with an additional ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay after the grace period.
For this reason, it is better to apply for renewal before the licence expires or within the permitted period rather than allowing the licence to remain expired for a long time.
The exact renewal requirements can also depend on the applicant’s age, type of licence and other applicable rules.
Duplicate Driving Licence Fee
A duplicate driving licence may be required if the original licence has been lost, destroyed or damaged beyond use. Parivahan’s guidance lists loss, destruction, defacement or a photograph requiring replacement among the circumstances in which a duplicate licence may be issued.
The fee and other charges shown during a duplicate-DL application can depend on the applicable state process. For example, Delhi’s Transport Department currently lists a ₹400 (200 for application and 200 for smart card) fee for a duplicate driving licence.
Applicants should therefore check the amount displayed by their state/RTO on Sarathi rather than assuming that the same final amount applies everywhere.
Fee for Changing Address or Other DL Details
The central fee for an application to change the address or another recorded particular in a driving licence is ₹200.
This service can be used for eligible changes such as an address correction or other permitted changes to the information recorded on the licence.
The documents required depend on the nature of the change and the applicable state process.
International Driving Permit Fee
If you plan to drive in another country and require an International Driving Permit, the central fee listed by Parivahan is ₹1,000.
An International Driving Permit is different from an Indian driving licence. Whether it is accepted for driving in a particular country also depends on that country’s laws and requirements.
Applicants should check the destination country’s rules before travelling.
Hazardous-Goods Driving Authorisation Fee
For drivers who require the applicable authorisation for vehicles carrying hazardous goods, the central fee for endorsement or renewal of the authorisation is ₹1,000.
This is relevant mainly to drivers operating vehicles in the applicable transport category and should not be confused with the fee for an ordinary private driving licence.
Why the Final Driving Licence Fee Can Be Different
One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between the central fee and the final amount displayed during an online application.
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules provide the basic fee structure. States and licensing authorities administer the services and may have additional applicable charges or user charges.
For example, the official Delhi Transport Department lists additional charges for some DL services, including a smart-card-related charge in its fee information.
This means two applicants in different states may see different final amounts even though the central licence fee is the same.
Do not rely on an old fee table or a third-party website when making payment. Check the amount generated by the official Sarathi portal for your application.
How to Pay Driving Licence Fees Online
Most applicants can complete the fee-payment process through the official Sarathi Parivahan system.
The broad process is:
- Open the Parivahan/Sarathi portal.
- Select the relevant state.
- Choose the driving licence service you require.
- Enter your application details.
- Review the applicable fee.
- Select the available online payment option.
- Complete the payment.
- Save or download the payment receipt.
Parivahan provides online services for new learner’s licences and driving licences, appointments, duplicate licences, application status and other licence-related services.
If a payment is deducted but the application does not immediately show the updated status, check the payment/application status on the portal before making another payment.
Driving Licence Fees in India: Important Points to Remember
Keep these points in mind when applying for or renewing a driving licence:
- ₹150 is the central fee for a learner’s licence for each vehicle class.
- The learner’s licence test costs ₹50.
- The driving competence test costs ₹300 for each vehicle class.
- Issuing a driving licence costs ₹200 under the central fee structure.
- Adding another vehicle class costs ₹500.
- Renewal of a driving licence costs ₹200 under the central fee structure.
- Renewal after the applicable grace period attracts additional late fees.
- An International Driving Permit costs ₹1,000 under the central fee structure.
- Changing the address or other recorded particulars costs ₹200 under the central fee structure.
- The final amount payable on Sarathi may include additional applicable charges.
- Always check the official Sarathi fee calculation before making payment.
Bottom Line
The cost of getting a driving licence in India depends on the service and the number of vehicle classes involved.
For a new applicant applying for one vehicle class, the basic central charges can be ₹700: ₹150 for the learner’s licence, ₹50 for the learner’s test, ₹300 for the driving test and ₹200 for issuing the driving licence.
However, ₹700 should not be treated as a universal final price. Additional charges may apply depending on the state and service.
The safest approach is to use the official Sarathi Parivahan portal, select your state and service, and check the fee generated for your particular application before making payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the driving licence fee in India?
There is no single fee for every driving licence service. The central fee is ₹200 for issuing a driving licence, while other charges apply for the learner’s licence, tests and additional services. A learner’s licence costs ₹150 per vehicle class and the driving test costs ₹300 per vehicle class.
How much does a learner’s licence cost in India?
The central fee for issuing a learner’s licence is ₹150 per vehicle class. The learner’s licence test costs an additional ₹50.
How much does a permanent driving licence cost?
The central fee for issuing a driving licence is ₹200. However, an applicant also has to account for the learner’s licence and driving test fees when calculating the total cost of obtaining a new licence.
What is the driving test fee in India?
The prescribed fee for the driving competence test is ₹300 for each class of vehicle. The same fee applies to a repeat test.
How much does it cost to add a new vehicle class to a DL?
The central fee for adding another vehicle class to an existing driving licence is ₹500. Other applicable charges may be shown during the application.
What is the DL renewal fee in India?
The central renewal fee is ₹200. If the application is made after the applicable grace period, the fee is ₹300 plus an additional ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay.
What is the fee for an International Driving Permit in India?
The central fee for issuing an International Driving Permit is ₹1,000.
Is the driving licence fee the same in every state?
The central fee structure applies nationally, but the final amount payable for a transaction can differ because of applicable state-level or service-related charges. Applicants should check the amount generated on the official Sarathi portal before payment.
Can I pay driving licence fees online?
Yes. Driving licence-related services and online fee payment are available through the Sarathi/Parivahan system for supported services and states.
Can I drive after paying the driving licence fee?
No. Paying the fee does not by itself give you permission to drive. You must have the appropriate valid licence or learner’s licence and comply with the conditions applicable to it.
Can one person have two driving licences?
A person should not hold two valid driving licences. The Sarathi system provides a DL Club facility for merging licences where a person has more than one licence record.
