A learner’s licence (often searched as a learning licence) is the first step to a driving licence in Maharashtra. You apply through the Sarathi portal, complete the verification and test steps it shows for your case, and drive under learner rules until you apply for the permanent licence. This guide explains who can apply, when the process can be done remotely and when RTO verification is needed, the documents and forms, the fee components, the test and what happens next.
Rules, fees and procedures are set by the transport authorities and change. Follow the instructions Sarathi generates for your application and check the Maharashtra Transport Department’s learner’s licence page. This guide is independent and is not run by any RTO.
Who can apply, and for which vehicle
- Adults can apply for a learner’s licence for the vehicle class they want to drive, such as a motorcycle with gear or a light motor vehicle (car). Each class is applied for separately.
- A limited provision exists for applicants aged 16, with parental consent and a restricted motorcycle category. Do not assume it covers every two-wheeler. Check the Maharashtra guidance before you apply.
- Transport vehicles such as taxis and autorickshaws have separate requirements, which this beginner guide does not cover.
Remote or RTO verification?
Maharashtra lists the learner’s licence among its faceless services. Whether you can finish the process remotely depends on your application. Applicants who authenticate with Aadhaar can follow the faceless route, and cases that need extra address or medical document verification may require a visit to the RTO. Apply through Sarathi, select Maharashtra, and follow the verification and test instructions generated for your case. Online application, online payment and a test from home are separate steps, so do not assume that one means the others.
Documents and medical forms
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Proof of age and address | Aadhaar covers both. Otherwise, use documents such as a passport, birth certificate or school leaving certificate for age, with separate address proof. |
| Photograph and signature | Uploaded or captured during the online application. |
| Form 1 | A self declaration of physical fitness. |
| Form 1A | A medical certificate from a registered doctor. The Parivahan FAQ says it is required for applicants aged 40 or above, so it applies if you are exactly 40. Requirements also depend on the vehicle class. |
Not every Aadhaar authenticated application needs the same paper documents, so use the checklist Sarathi gives you for your application.
Fee components
The central fee schedule lists these base fees. They are separate components and not a single package price. Check the Maharashtra fee page and your Sarathi payment breakdown, which can include other charges.
| Component | Published base fee |
|---|---|
| Learner’s licence issue | Rs 150 per vehicle class |
| Learner’s test or repeat test | Rs 50 |
| Driving competence test (later stage) | Rs 300 per vehicle class |
| Driving licence issue | Rs 200 |
Applying for two classes, such as a motorcycle and a car, means a separate learner’s licence fee for each class. Some websites quote a single total, and totals differ between sites, so go by your own payment screen.
How to apply through Sarathi
- Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select Maharashtra.
- Choose the learner’s licence application and fill in the form for your vehicle class.
- Authenticate with Aadhaar if you choose that route, and upload your photograph, signature and documents.
- Pay the fee online and follow the verification and test instructions generated for your application.
- Watch the road safety video that the faceless procedure requires before the test.
- Take the test as instructed.
Test preparation
- The Maharashtra learner’s licence page links the official question bank. Practise from it.
- The pass requirement is stated as 60 percent correct answers.
- Question counts and time limits are not fixed here because the format can change. Use the instructions on Sarathi for your slot.
- If you do not pass, check Sarathi for how and when to retake the test, and which fee applies.
Status and download
Track your application on Sarathi using your application number. After you pass, the learner’s licence can be downloaded from the portal, so keep a copy on your phone and a printout while you practise.
If something goes wrong
- Payment fails: check whether the amount was debited, wait for confirmation, and use the payment status option on Sarathi before you pay again.
- Verification fails: if Sarathi asks you to attend the RTO, take the originals of your documents and Form 1A if required.
- Test fails: prepare from the question bank and book the repeat test as Sarathi allows.
- Details are wrong: ask the RTO how to correct them before you apply for the permanent licence.
Validity and the next step
- A learner’s licence is valid for six months.
- You can apply for the driving test stage after 30 days. A permanent licence is not issued automatically after 30 days, because you must apply, book the driving test and pass it.
- If the learner’s licence expires, you cannot simply renew it. Parivahan directs applicants to obtain a new learner’s licence.
Practise with a qualified instructor. The driving schools guide explains how to choose a driving school. Learner applications are separate from renewal, which the driving licence renewal guide covers. If you also own a vehicle, see the HSRP number plate guide.
Which RTO serves you in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai addresses fall under different RTO jurisdictions, mainly Vashi (MH 43) and Panvel (MH 46). Do not assume that every applicant goes to Vashi. Sarathi shows the RTO for your address when you apply, and you can confirm the jurisdiction with the RTO. See the RTO Navi Mumbai (Vashi) guide for the Vashi office.
| Office | Address as reported |
|---|---|
| Vashi (MH 43) | Block T, Sector 19B, APMC Market, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400705 |
| Panvel (MH 46) | Central Facility Building, Steel Market, Kalamboli, Panvel taluka, Raigad 410218 |
The addresses come from insurer and finance sites, not from the transport department, so confirm them before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a learner’s licence in Maharashtra?
Apply on the Sarathi portal, select Maharashtra, fill in the form for your vehicle class, pay the fee and follow the verification and test instructions generated for your application.
Can I get a learner’s licence without visiting the RTO?
It depends on your application. Aadhaar authenticated applicants can follow the faceless route, while cases needing extra address or medical document verification may need the RTO. Follow the instructions Sarathi generates.
What is the age limit for a learner’s licence?
Adults can apply for the class they want to drive. A limited provision exists for 16 year olds, with parental consent and a restricted motorcycle category. Check the Maharashtra guidance.
When do I need Form 1A?
Form 1A, a medical certificate, is required for applicants aged 40 or above, according to Parivahan, and requirements also depend on the vehicle class.
How much does a learner’s licence cost?
The published base fees are Rs 150 per vehicle class for the licence and Rs 50 for the test. Your Sarathi payment screen shows the exact total, which can include other charges.
How long is a learner’s licence valid, and can I renew it?
Six months. You cannot simply renew it after expiry, and you need to obtain a new learner’s licence.
Sources and a note on accuracy
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Faceless service and the learner’s licence procedure | Maharashtra Transport Department |
| Fee components | Central fee schedule, and the Maharashtra fee page |
| Form 1A, validity and expiry | Parivahan learner’s licence FAQ |
| RTO addresses | Insurer and finance sites. Not from the transport department |
Reviewed on 23 October 2026. Fees, test rules and office details change, so confirm them on Sarathi and with the RTO before you apply.
Featured photo: RTO Office, Dhule by Jainpankaj009, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized. It shows an RTO office in Maharashtra and not a Navi Mumbai office.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any RTO or the Transport Department.
