How to Apply for Driving License Online in West Bengal

To drive your favorite vehicle, the most important document you will require is a valid driver’s license. A license gives its holder proof that they are legally permitted to drive a vehicle. You also need a license in order to buy a vehicle. Now the number of vehicle categories are endless, and you will have to check which license you are applying for in accordance with the vehicle you own.

What are the types of driving licenses in West Bengal?

There are two main types of drivers licenses which are based on the validity of the license:

1. Learner’s License (LL) – A learner’s license is a temporary license, one that shows the holder is a learner and should not be driving without the supervision of a driving license holder. The learner’s license is meant to be held for at least 1 month before you can apply for a permanent license. The validity of the learner’s license is 6 months, so make sure you apply for the permanent license exam before the license expires.
2. Permanent License (DL) – After holding the learner’s license for at least a month, you can apply for the permanent driver’s license test, that is however, if you are confident enough with your driving skills. If not, you could always go ahead with the test until 6 months after the date of issue of your learner’s license. 

Looking at classifications based on the type of vehicle that the driver can operate, there are multiple options:

1. Motorcycle Without Gear (MCWOG) – The motorcycle without gear license allows its holders to operate and own two wheelers such as mopeds, scooters, and others. 
2. Motorcycle With Gear (MCWG) – A motorcycle with gear license ensures that the holder can not only drive bikes with gears, but also all vehicles that come under the MCWOG license. 
3. Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) – If you want to drive any car, jeep, or SUV in India for personal uses, you need to apply for a light motor vehicle license. If you want to start driving a cab, you will need to apply for a LMV – TR license. 
4. Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) – A light goods vehicle license allows the holder to drive pick-up trucks or tempos with a gross weight of 3500 kg.
5. Medium Goods Vehicle (MGV) – Holding a medium goods vehicle license permits the individual to operate trucks that can carry loads ranging from 3.5 tonnes to 12 tonnes.
6. Medium Passenger Vehicles (MPV) – Medium passenger vehicles include vehicles such as buses of an educational institute, or any public or private service vehicle.
7. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) – Being a holder of a heavy goods vehicle license allows you to drive vehicles that have a carrying capacity of up to 32 tonnes. 
8. Heavy Passenger Vehicle (HPV) – To drive and operate commercial and tourist buses, you will require to own a heavy passenger vehicle license.

There are 3 other special categories or documents that are available and that you might require: 

1. Invalid Carriage License – This license is for disabled people only who require specialized vehicles or custom changes to their current vehicles in order to be able to drive properly.
2. Transport Vehicle License – As the name suggests, a transport vehicle license is a document used for vehicles that are used as cabs or transport. 
3. International Driving Permit (IDP) – An IDP is issued to the citizens of India looking to drive abroad. It is not a license, just a permit which is to be used parallelly with a valid Indian license.  

How to apply for a driving license online in West Bengal?

Quite obviously, you have to apply for any driving license through West Bengal’s official Motor Vehicle Department website. There are quite a few requirements for the license you want, as well as a few important steps and procedures. The following are the general requirements if you want to apply for a driving license online:

1. Ensure you meet the Eligibility Criteria – The eligibility criteria is simple, you only need to be 18 years of age to be able to apply for a license for a non transport vehicle. If you are looking to drive a transport vehicle, you should be at least 20 years old in order to apply.
2. New Driver? – You need to be holding a learner’s license if you want to apply for a driving license. The learner’s license is an important prerequisite for the same.
3. Starting the online application – The online application begins on the official website of the West Bengal Motor Vehicle Department. Look for the “Apply Online” tab in the website, and select the “New Driving License” option. 
4. Application form – The application form needs to be filled with the necessary information, along with personal details such as address proofs, identity proofs, and passport size photographs.
5. Slot Booking – There are quite a few dates available for giving the practical test. You can choose the date and time that is convenient for you and book the slot. The test is conducted at the RTO test centers. 
6. Fee Payment – After selecting the convenient slot, pay for the tests.  
7. Document Upload – You need to upload the documents required for the license on the portal.
8. Appear for the test – Do show up for the test at the RTO test site on the day you have been allotted. 
9. Pass the test – Make sure you get a passing grade in the test. If you fail the test, you will have to repeat all the steps above.
10. Collect the license – Do not forget to collect your license if you pass the test. The license is usually sent to your address via post. 

What is the eligibility to apply for a driving license online in West Bengal?

As mentioned previously, the most important criteria is your age. For a non transport vehicle license, the age of application should be 18. If you are applying for a transport vehicle license, you should be at least 20 years old. Leaving aside the age criteria, there are a few more criterias which are required:

1. Learner’s License –  A learner’s license is the most important prerequisite for a permanent driver’s license. You can not apply for a driver’s license if you do not hold a learner’s license. The learner’s license has almost the same criterias as a driver’s license.
2. Residency – You have to be a West Bengal resident to have a license of West Bengal state.
3. Valid age proof – You will have to produce proofs such as a birth certificate, passport, or school certificate.
4. Valid address proof -Documents such as voter ID, electricity bill, water bill, or an Aadhar card can be produced as a valid address proof.
5. Passport size photos – Photos that are recent should be attached.  

What are the documents required to apply for a driving license online in West Bengal?

There are a few types of documents required:

1. Proof of age – Your birth certificate, school leaving certificate, passport, PAN card, Aadhar card, or your Voter ID card are all the documents you can use as a proof of age. 
2. Proof of address – Previously mentioned documents like passport, Aadhar card, Voter ID card are also counted as proof of address. Make sure to produce two different documents for the proof of age and proof of address. Other than those, documents such as utility bills (electricity, water, gas, etc.) in your name, ration card, or a  rental agreement can also be shown. 
3. Forms issued by the government – These are the forms which are necessary to fill and attach along with the application. 

They are: 

1. Form 1 – This is if you are below the age of 50 years
2. Form 1 A – If you are over the age of 50 years
3. Form 2 – Also called the Learner’s License application
4. Form 3 – Learner’s License form

4. Learner’s License
5. Passport size photos
6. Training certificate – This is for vehicles that might require special training and proof of said training.

What is the fee structure for driving license in West Bengal?

For a driving license, the fee structure is as follows:

Fees for issuing Learner’s License (for each category)	INR 150
Fees for Learner’s Licence Test	INR 50
Fees for Driving Licence Test (For each category)	INR 300
Driving License in Form 7 (ie. smart card)	INR 200
Issue of Driving License	INR 200
Service Charge	INR 60
Learner’s License Fail fee	INR 50
After expiry of Learner’s License
Learner’s License test fee	INR 50
Fees for issuing Learner’s License (for each category)	INR 150
Service Charge	INR 30
Driving License Fail fee (for each category)	INR 300

What is the process to get a permanent driving license online in West Bengal?

Make sure you have the prerequisites cleared up before applying for a permanent license. This includes having a valid learner’s license and being of the age of 18 years old. 

Once you have these prerequisites cleared up, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official West Bengal Motor Vehicles Department website
2. Select the “Apply for license” option
3. Fill the application form
4. Select the test slot according to your convenience
5. Pay the corresponding fee
6. Appear for the practical test
7. Pass the test
8. Receive your license

FAQs about how to apply for driving license online in West Bengal