Driving Licence in West Bengal: Online and Offline Application Guide

A comprehensive guide to applying for driving licence in West Bengal. Check the documents required, eligibility criteria, fees and charges, and more.
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3 min
14-August-2024

Navigate the process of obtaining a driving licence in West Bengal with the right information and guidance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step procedure for applying for a driving licence in West Bengal and provide you with all the related information. You must also know that not carrying a valid driving license results in traffic violations. More traffic violations registered for your vehicle or your name can also impact the premium of your car insurance policy.

Types of driving licences in West Bengal

Let us first know about the different types of driving licences in West Bengal. They are categorised based on the types of vehicles and the stage of driving proficiency:

Licence Type

Description

Learner's Licence

Issued for learning purposes, allowing individuals to practice driving under supervision for a specified period before obtaining a permanent DL.

Permanent Driving Licence

Issued after successfully passing the driving test and fulfilling other requirements, allowing individuals to drive vehicles independently.

Commercial Driving Licence

Issued for driving vehicles for commercial purposes, such as transporting goods or passengers. A commercial driving licence is mandatory for driving vehicles with a seating capacity of 8 or more people.

International Driving Permit

It is a legal document that allows the holder to drive in foreign countries. To get this permit, you need to submit an application at the local RTO and must have a valid permanent driver's licence.

 

How to apply for a driving licence in West Bengal

To apply for a driving licence in West Bengal, you need to either visit the nearest RTO West Bengal or apply online through the Parivahan Sewa portal. The process broadly involves filling out an application form, submitting the required documents, scheduling a driving test, and passing the examination.

Online process

  • Step-1. Visit the Parivahan website
  • Step-2. Select the state as West Bengal.
  • Step-3. Choose the option 'Apply for Driving Licence'.
  • Step-4. Fill out the applicant details.
  • Step-5. Upload the required documents.
  • Step-6. Upload a photo and signature if required (applicable for some states).
  • Step-7. Book your driving licence test slot (applicable for some states).
  • Step-8. Pay the required fee.
  • Step-9. Carry the original documents and the fee payment receipt to the RTO for your driving test.
  • Step-10. Pass the driving test to obtain your driving licence.

Offline process

  • Step 1:Visit the nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office).
  • Step 2:Fill out the application form and submit it along with the required documents.
  • Step 3:Your application is verified and processed.
  • Step 4:Once verified, schedule a slot for the driving test.
  • Step 5:Pass the driving test to get the driving licence.

How to check driving licence application status in West Bengal

To check West Bengal driving licence application in West Bengal online is a simple and convenient process. Follow these steps:

  • Go to the official Parivahan website or your state's transport department website.
  • Navigate to the ‘Online Services’ menu and select 'Driving Licence Related Services'.
  • Select the state where the licence is registered.
  • Select the ‘Application Status’ option at the top of the page.
  • Enter your application number, date of birth, and captcha code and click on ‘Submit’.
  • The website will display the status of your DL application, indicating whether it is under processing, approved, dispatched, or pending verification.

Eligibility criteria for driving licence in West Bengal

To be eligible for a driving licence in West Bengal, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Vehicle Type

Eligibility Criteria

Cars and Motorcycles with Gear

 

  • Minimum 18 years old.
  • Should be aware of traffic rules and regulations.
  • Must have valid age proof and address proof documents.

 

Motorcycles without Gear (engine capacity up to 50cc)

 

  • Minimum 16 years old.
  • Should have the consent of his guardian or parents.
  • Must be aware of traffic rules and regulations.
  • Must have valid age proof and address proof documents.

 

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

 

  • Should have cleared the 8th standard.
  • Should be above the age of 18 (20 years in some states).
  • Should be trained from any government/state-affiliated training school.

 

 

Documents needed for obtaining a driving licence in West Bengal

To qualify for the driving licence exam and apply for a permanent driving licence in West Bengal, you must have the following documents:

  • A valid learner's licence.
  • All necessary documents of the vehicle intended for the driving test, including Registration Certificate, Insurance Certificate, Tax Card, and PUC Certificate.' For transport vehicles, you will need the Fitness Certificate and other relevant documents.
  • If testing with a transport vehicle, a certificate in form CMV 5 issued by your Driving Training School is required.
  • A duly filled application form.
  • Recent passport-size photographs.

Driving licence fee structure in West Bengal : What you need to know

The fees for obtaining a driving licence in West Bengal are given in the table below:

Service Type

Fee (in Rs.)

Learner’s licence test fee

50

Learner’s licence issuance

150

Repeat test (for each class of vehicle)

300

Permanent driving licence issuance

200

Duplicate driving licence issuance

400

International driving permit issuance

1,000

Driving licence renewal

200

Driving school licence issue and renewal

10,000

Adding another class to the DL

500

 

How to renew a driving licence in West Bengal

Your driving licence needs to be renewed on or after the expiry of its validity. A driving licence is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or till you turn 50 years of age, whichever happens earlier. For a commercial licence, the licence must be renewed after every three years.

Also read: How To Renew Driving Licence In Delhi

Documents required to renew your driving licence

You will need the following documents to renew your DL in West Bengal:

For permanent driving licence:

  • Form No.9
  • Recent passport-size photograph (2 copies)
  • Learner driving licence
  • Valid proof of age and residence (self-attested)
  • Renewal fees
  • Valid medical certificate in form No.1A (for applicants above 40 years old)

For commercial driving licence:

  • All the documents as required for a permanent driving licence.
  • Driver refreshing training certificate (for HMV).
  • Short refresher training course (other commercial vehicles).

Steps to renew DL in West Bengal

Offline process:

Here are the steps to renew the DL in West Bengal offline:

  • Visit the nearest RTO.
  • Carry the duly filled forms as mentioned above. You can download them on the Parivahan portal.
  • Submit the forms along with the required documents.
  • Pay the fees and retain the receipt.
  • After verification, the driving licence will be sent to the registered address.

Online process:

Here are the steps to renew driving licence in West Bengal online:

  • Visit the Parivahan website.
  • Navigate to the ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ under the ‘Online Services’ menu on the homepage.
  • Enter the state from the drop-down menu where the licence is registered.
  • Click on ‘Apply for DL Renewal’.
  • Enter details such as the date of birth, driving licence number, and captcha code.
  • Select ‘Get DL Details’ and choose the licence category, RTO, and state.
  • Select ‘Proceed’ and choose the ‘DL Renewal’ option.
  • Submit the online form along with the relevant documents and download the receipt.
  • Visit your nearest RTO and submit the relevant documents. After verification, the DL will be sent to the registered address.

How to apply for a duplicate driving licence in West Bengal

Losing or damaging your driving licence can be a hassle. However, applying for a duplicate licence in West Bengal is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

  • Download and fill out the LLD form: The LLD form can be downloaded from the Parivahan portal. Fill out the form with the required details.
  • Gather the required documents: Print copies of all essential documents.
  • Visit your nearest RTO: Visit your nearest RTO office that issued your original driving licence.
  • Submit the documents: Submit the LLD form and the other documents at the RTO.
  • Pay the fee: Pay the fee for duplicate licence issuance and retain the receipt for future reference.
  • Receive the duplicate DL: The duplicate DL will be posted to the registered residential address. 

Documents required to apply:

You will need the following documents to apply for a duplicate DL in West Bengal:

  • Form LLD
  • First Information Report (FIR) (in case of stolen or lost licence)
  • Original driving licence (in case of damaged DL)
  • Attested copies of your original DL (in case of stolen or lost licence)
  • Challan clearance report from the Police (for transport vehicles)
  • Recent passport-sized photographs
  • Self-attested copy of a valid address Proof
  • Prescribed fee

You might need more documents depending on the circumstances. Please check with the RTO.

Driving licence and motor insurance – essential requirements for vehicle owners

Your driving licence and motor insurance are closely interlinked. While your licence shows you're legally allowed to drive, your car or two-wheeler insurance covers you financially in case of unforeseen damages on the road. So, similar to driving licence, you could face penalties or legal implications while driving without a valid motor insurance, since it is a mandatory requirement for all vehicle owners in India.

Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall offers a convenient platform for you to buy or renew car insurance plans online. Compare plans and premiums offered by leading insurance partners and buy your preferred motor insurance policy in just a few clicks.

How to apply for an International Driving Licence in West Bengal

Planning to drive abroad? Here's how to apply for an International Driving Licence (IDL) in West Bengal:

Documents required to apply for International Driving Permit

  • Form- 4A or in writing to the RTO within whose jurisdiction the applicant resides
  • Copy of valid driving licence 
  • Valid medical certificate in Form – 1A 
  • Valid proof of passport 
  • Valid proof of visa (as applicable)
  • Recent passport-size photograph (4 copies)
  • Prescribed fees 

Steps to apply for International Driving Permit in West Bengal

  • Visit the Parivahan Sewa website at https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
  • Navigate to the ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ under the ‘Online Services’ menu on the homepage.
  • Enter the state from the drop-down menu where the licence is registered.
  • Click on 'Apply for International Driving Permit (IDP)'.
  • Enter the DL number, date of birth, and captcha code.
  • Agree to the terms and conditions and click on ‘Proceed’.
  • Fill out the form and upload the documents along with your photos.
  • Pay the required fee and retain the receipt.
  • After verification of documents, you should receive the International Driving Licence in 4-5 working days.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get driving licence in West Bengal?

To obtain a driving licence (DL) in West Bengal, you need to follow a few steps. Firstly, apply for a learner's licence by visiting the official website of the West Bengal Transport Department or by visiting the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in person. After obtaining the learner's licence, practice driving and then apply for a permanent DL by appearing for a driving test conducted by the RTO. Once you pass the test and fulfill all requirements, you'll receive your permanent DL.

What is the fees for driving licence in West Bengal?

The fees for obtaining a driving licence in West Bengal vary depending on the type of licence and other factors.

Service Type

Fee (in Rs.)

Learner’s licence test fee

50

Learner’s licence issuance

150

Repeat test (for each class of vehicle)

300

Permanent driving licence issuance

200

Duplicate driving licence issuance

400

International driving permit issuance

1,000


However, it's advisable to check the latest fee structure on the official website of the West Bengal Transport Department.

Can I get driving licence without test in West Bengal?

No, you cannot get a driving licence (DL) without passing the driving test in West Bengal. It is mandatory to pass the driving test conducted by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to obtain a permanent DL. However, you can apply for a learner's licence without a driving test, but you need to pass a written test on traffic rules and regulations.

What are the categories of driving licence in West Bengal?

The categories of driving licences (DLs) in West Bengal include:

  • Motorcycle without gear (MCWG)
  • Motorcycle with gear (MCWOG)
  • Light Motor Vehicle (LMV)
  • Medium Goods Vehicle (MGV)
  • Medium Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)
  • Heavy Passenger Vehicle (HPV)
  • Invalid carriage (IVC)
What is the time period of driving licence in West Bengal?

In West Bengal, the time period for a driving licence varies depending on the type of licence issued. Generally, a driving licence for private vehicles is valid for 20 years or until the age of 50, whichever comes first. After this period, the licence needs to be renewed periodically.

How much is a 2-wheeler license in West Bengal?

The fee for a 2-wheeler licence in West Bengal is subject to change and may vary based on factors such as the type of licence (learner's or permanent) and any associated testing fees.

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