Last updated: 16 September 2026
Quick Answer: Three documents are required for a driving licence in India: Form 2 with its fitness self-declaration, proof of age and address, and a photo. The permanent licence adds your learner's licence. A Form 1A medical certificate is also needed for a transport licence or renewal at 40+, and Parivahan asks new applicants aged 40+ for it.
The documents required for a driving licence come from the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, so the core list is the same in every state. One document, usually Aadhaar, can prove both your age and your address.
Overview: driving licence documents at a glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Application form | Form 2, one form for new licences, renewal and changes |
| Core documents | Form 2 with fitness self-declaration, proof of age and address, photo |
| Medical certificate | Form 1A for transport licences, renewals at 40+, and new applicants 40+ per Parivahan |
| Permanent licence adds | Your learner's licence, held at least 30 days |
| Where you submit | Upload on Sarathi (Parivahan); RTO may check originals |
What documents are required for a driving licence in India?
For a learner's licence you need the Form 2 application with its fitness self-declaration, proof of age and address, and a photo. The permanent licence adds that learner's licence. Anything more depends on your age and vehicle class.
| Document | Learner's licence | Permanent licence | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 2 application | Yes | Yes | Always, filled on Sarathi |
| Proof of age and address | Yes | Yes | Always |
| Passport-size photo | Yes | Yes | Always; up to 50 KB online |
| Fitness self-declaration (in Form 2) | Yes | Yes | Always, part of Form 2 |
| Form 1A medical certificate | If needed | If needed | Transport licence, or age 40+ |
| Learner's licence | No | Yes | Held for at least 30 days |
| Driving school certificate (Form 5) | No | If needed | Transport licence |
New to this? Start with applying for a learner's licence online. It stays valid for six months.
Which documents count as proof of age and address?
Parivahan's current Form 2 application accepts any of these as proof of address and age. Pick one if it proves both:
- Aadhaar card
- Electoral roll entry
- Life insurance policy
- Passport
- School certificate
- Birth certificate
- Pay slip from a central, state or local government office
- Affidavit sworn before a magistrate or notary public
- Age certificate from a doctor of Civil Surgeon rank or above
- Any other document your state government specifies
That last line matters. Telangana, for example, also accepts electricity and water bills and bank passbooks. If your proof isn't on the central list, check your state transport site before uploading.
When do you need a Form 1A medical certificate as well?
If you're under 40 and applying for a car or two-wheeler licence, the fitness self-declaration inside Form 2 is enough. The old separate Form 1 was folded into Form 2 in 2021. Form 1A is a medical certificate a registered doctor issues online on the portal.
| Your situation | Fitness paperwork |
|---|---|
| Car or two-wheeler licence, under 40 | Self-declaration in Form 2 |
| Transport vehicle licence, any age | Form 1A, in addition to the self-declaration |
| Renewing a non-transport licence at 40 or older | Form 1A, in addition to the self-declaration |
| New non-transport licence at 40 or older | Form 1A as well, as Parivahan's FAQ asks for it |
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules set the age-40 trigger for renewals, and Parivahan's driving licence FAQ applies it to new applicants too. Form 1A is valid for six months, so don't get it too early.
What documents does the RTO check on driving-test day?
The test-day checklist can vary by state. Karnataka's Sarathi driving licence guide is a typical example. You take the application acknowledgement, the fee e-receipt if you paid online, and these papers:
- Copy of your learner's licence
- Copy of the vehicle's registration certificate (RC)
- Copy of its insurance
- Its emission (pollution under control) certificate
Bring a vehicle of the class you're applying for, keep your original age and address proof handy, and check your own state's Sarathi instructions for extras. Here's what happens in the driving test at the RTO.
Do documents change for renewal, address change, name change or a duplicate?
Yes. Each service uses the same Form 2 but adds its own proof. The linked guides cover the full process.
| Service | Extra documents |
|---|---|
| Renewing your driving licence | Existing licence; Form 1A if you're 40+ or hold a transport licence |
| Changing the address on your licence | Existing licence and proof of the new address |
| Changing the name on your licence | Affidavit, marriage certificate and a copy of the newspaper advertisement, as Form 2 lists |
| Duplicate licence | Copy of the police complaint if the licence was lost or damaged |
How do you upload your documents when you apply?
You upload scanned copies on Sarathi after choosing your state and filling Form 2. Some states ask for fewer uploads later: Karnataka's guide says the permanent licence application needs none. If you'd rather not handle the uploads alone, Jaagruk Bharat can help with your permanent driving licence application. The application still runs on Sarathi, and the licence fee is still paid to the transport department.
