Driving Licence in Sikkim

If you want to drive a vehicle in Sikkim, you will require a valid driving licence. Driving with a valid DL, like other states, is mandatory in the state of Sikkim as per the rules and regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Driving licences are issued under Sections 1 to 11 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Rules 3 to 21 of Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 read with Rule 3 to 19 of the Sikkim Motor Vehicles Rules, 1991, by the five Regional Transport Offices of the Motor Vehicles Department.

Different Types of Driving Licence in Sikkim

Under the project "Comprehensive e-Governance Solution in the Transport Sector," the Saarthi software is used for processing Driving Licence and related activities. It can be used to issue a Learner’s Licence, Permanent Driving Licence, Conductor Licence, and Driving School Licence to the applicant. There are broadly three categories of driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim:

1. For 2-wheeler without gear: Issued to those who wish to use a motorcycle of engine capacity not more than 50 ccs without gear.
2. For 2-wheeler with gear: Issued to those who wish to use a motorcycle with more than 50 cc gear.
3. For Light Motor Vehicle: Issued to those who wish to use a geared two-wheeler or drive a non-commercial four-wheeler like a car or an SUV - not used for carrying passengers or goods for hire.
4. For Medium Motor Vehicles: Issued to those who wish to drive medium vehicles.
5. For Heavy Motor Vehicles: Issued to those who wish to drive heavy motor vehicles.
6. For Commercial Vehicles: Issued to those who plan to drive a commercial vehicle viz. buses, lorries, taxis, auto-rickshaws etc.

What is the Eligibility Criteria to Avail Driving Licence in Sikkim?

The following conditions have to be complied with by every individual who wishes to obtain a driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim.

• For a permanent driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim, the applicant should be 18 years or above.
• The applicant must be 16 years or above for a learner's licence. 
• The applicant should be 20 years or above, for a transport vehicle driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim.
• A permanent driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim can only be applied for after completing 30 days or within 180 days of obtaining a learner’s licence.
• Thorough awareness of traffic rules and regulations

What are the Documents Required to Apply for Driving Licence in Sikkim?

The following documents are required for availing of a driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim:

• Application Form 4
• Application Form 5 (used for Commercial DL)
• Age Proof: Aadhaar Card, Birth certificate, Education certificate, Passport, Employee Certificate from State / Central Government.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voters ID, Ration Card, LIC Bond Policy, Employee Certificate from State / Central Government 
• Valid learner’s licence (Original)
• Three passport-sized photographs

How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Sikkim?

A driving licence in Sikkim can be applied through an online or offline process. Both the methods are discussed below.

• Online method: Visit user-friendly website https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ Select the drop-down list under Tab 'Online Services' choose 'Driving Licence Related Services' select the state from the drop-down list (in this case "Sikkim" ). Fill in the application details, upload the documents, pay the fee online, verify the status of your payment made and print a receipt. Then, book a slot for the driving test. Once you pass the driving test, you get the Learner’s Licence within 2-3 weeks from passing the Driving Test.
• Offline method: Visit the nearest RTO office, or the form can be downloaded from the website https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/, under the Tab ‘Online Services’. The duly filled form needs to be submitted to the nearby RTO, along with passport size photographs, age proof, address proof, Forms 4 or 5. Then, book a slot for the first round of tests wherein your awareness of traffic rules will be judged. Once you qualify for this test, you will be given a Learner's Licence, after which you need to apply for a permanent licence after 30 days or within 180 days of getting the permanent licence.

How to Avail a Duplicate Driving Licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim?

You would require the following documents for obtaining a duplicate driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim:

• Copy of the original DL
• Application Form 1
• Application form LLD
• If stolen, details of the driving licence
• If stolen, a copy of the FIR
• Challan clearance report (commercial DL)

You can avail a duplicate driving licence in Sikkim through the online or offline method mentioned above.

How to Avail a Renewed Driving Licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim?

The following documents are required for renewal of driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim:

• Self-attested age proof
• Self-attested address proof
• Application Form 9 for DL renewal
• Form 1A (for drivers over 40 years of age)
• Copy of the expired DL

You can avail a renewed driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim through the online or offline method mentioned above.

How to Avail an International Driving Licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim?

You can avail an international driving licence through the online or offline method mentioned above. Documents required for obtaining an international driving licence in Sikkim are as follows:

• Passport-size photographs
• Attested copy of the permanent driving licence
• Attested copy of address proof
• Attested copy of the visa
• Attested copy of passport
• Nationality proof
• Medical Form 1-A

How to Avail a Commercial Driving Licence in Sikkim?

You can get a commercial driving licence in Sikkim through the online or offline process mentioned above. For availing of a commercial driving licence in Sikkim, you need the following documents: 

• Address proof
• Identity proof
• Form 2
• Form 1A
• Form 5
• Passport-sized photos

How to Check Driving Licence in Sikkim?

You can check the status of your driving licence (Saarthi) in Sikkim through their online portal, using the following steps:

1. Visit Parivahan Sewa’s official and user-friendly website https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
2. Click on 'Online Services.'
3. Click on 'Driving Licence Related Services.'
4. Choose the state as 'Sikkim.'
5. Click on the drop-down menu titled 'Apply Online.'
6. Click on ‘Application Status’.
7. Enter the required details.
8. Enter the Captcha.
9. Click on 'Submit.'

Driving Licence Test Procedure in Sikkim

The driving licence test in Sikkim is conducted in the presence of a motor vehicle inspector. Along with the driving test, an online test is also conducted. The question paper will consist of 20 questions, out of which the applicant will have to answer at least 12 questions correctly for qualifying.