Driving License
Find out which driving licence process applies to you - learner, new, renewal, duplicate or international - and follow the right guide.
اہم معلومات (آسان اردو میں)
- نیا ڈرائیونگ لائسنس بنوائیں یا موجودہ کی تجدید کریں۔
- فیس: لرنر تقریباً 500-1,000؛ ریگولر تقریباً 750-3,000 روپے (کیٹیگری/میعاد کے مطابق)۔
- فیس صوبے کے مطابق مختلف — اپنا صوبائی پورٹل دیکھیں (مثلاً DLIMS پنجاب)۔
- موٹرسائیکل/کار لائسنس کے لیے کم از کم عمر 18 سال۔
- درست شناختی کارڈ ہو۔
- پہلے لرنر پرمٹ، پھر مستقل لائسنس کے لیے ڈرائیونگ ٹیسٹ۔
- ڈرائیونگ کے لیے طبی طور پر فِٹ؛ ہیوی (HTV/PSV) اور بزرگ درخواست گزاروں کے لیے میڈیکل سرٹیفکیٹ لازمی۔
- درست شناختی کارڈ (اصل اور فوٹو کاپیاں)
- تازہ پاسپورٹ سائز تصاویر
- لرنر پرمٹ (مستقل لائسنس کے لیے)
- میڈیکل سرٹیفکیٹ (HTV/PSV اور بزرگ درخواست گزاروں کے لیے)
- فیس/چالان رسید
- صوبائی سسٹم (مثلاً DLIMS پنجاب: dlims.punjab.gov.pk) یا لائسنس آفس سے لرنر پرمٹ کی درخواست دیں۔
- لازمی انتظار (پنجاب میں تقریباً 42 دن) کے بعد ڈرائیونگ ٹیسٹ بک کریں۔
- تھیوری (نشانات و قواعد) اور پریکٹیکل ڈرائیونگ ٹیسٹ پاس کریں۔
- دستاویزات جمع کریں، فیس ادا کریں اور بائیومیٹرک/تصویر کرائیں۔
- لائسنس وصول کریں یا کورئیر سے منگوائیں؛ CNIC سے آن لائن اسٹیٹس ٹریک کریں۔
Service Overview
Pakistan issues driving licences at the provincial level, and the process you follow depends entirely on what you need — a first licence, a renewal, a replacement, or a permit to drive abroad. Each of these has a different set of requirements, and applying under the wrong one is a common reason people are turned away at the counter.
This page explains which process applies to you, then points you to the detailed guide for that specific case.
Which Process Do You Need?
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| You have never held a licence | Learner Driving Licence — the compulsory first step |
| Your learner permit is maturing | New Driving Licence — theory and practical test |
| Your licence is expiring or expired | Driving Licence Renewal |
| Your licence is lost or damaged | Duplicate Driving Licence |
| You are travelling or driving abroad | International Driving Permit |
| You need to confirm a licence is genuine | Licence Verification |
| You are preparing for the test | Driving Test Guide |
Licence Categories
The category you apply for determines which vehicles you may legally drive. Applying for the wrong category means retaking the test.
| Motorcycle | Two-wheelers and motorcycle rickshaws |
| LTV (Light Transport Vehicle) | Cars, jeeps and light vans — the most commonly applied category |
| HTV (Heavy Transport Vehicle) | Buses, trucks and heavy vehicles. Usually requires prior LTV experience |
| Tractor | Agricultural vehicles |
Licensing Is Provincial, Not Federal
There is no single national driving licence authority in Pakistan. Each province runs its own system, which means fees, forms and processing times differ depending on where you apply.
| Province / Region | Authority |
|---|---|
| Punjab | DLIMS — Punjab Traffic Police |
| Sindh | Sindh Traffic Police licensing branch |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | KP Traffic Police licensing branch |
| Balochistan | Balochistan Traffic Police |
| Islamabad (ICT) | Islamabad Traffic Police |
What Every Application Needs
Regardless of category or province, these are required in almost every case:
- Original CNIC, valid and not expired
- Passport-size photographs
- Medical fitness certificate (for most categories)
- Blood group report
- The prescribed fee, paid through the official challan or portal
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You must first hold a learner permit for the required maturity period, then pass the theory and practical tests.
Yes. A licence issued by any provincial authority is valid throughout Pakistan. You apply provincially, but the licence is nationally recognised.
Usually not on its own. Most countries require an International Driving Permit carried alongside your national licence.
Update the address on your CNIC first, then apply or renew in your new province.
It varies by province and by category. The learner permit is usually issued quickly; the full licence depends on the maturity period and test scheduling.
In Short
Identify your exact situation first — first licence, renewal, replacement, or international — then follow the specific guide for that case using the table above. Applying under the wrong process is the most common reason applicants are sent home.
What this means for you
Driving licences in Pakistan are issued by provincial authorities, so the exact process depends on where you live. In Punjab the whole journey is online through DLIMS (dlims.punjab.gov.pk) and the official Rasta app: you first get a learner permit, wait the mandatory period, then pass a theory and practical test for a full licence. You can also verify any Punjab licence free using just a CNIC.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the learner stage. A full licence requires a learner permit first, plus the mandatory waiting period (about 42 days in Punjab) before the test.
- Using the wrong province’s portal. Licences are provincial — use your own province’s official system.
- Driving on a learner permit alone. A learner permit only allows supervised practice with a licensed driver, not independent driving.
- Uploading unclear documents. Blurry scans are a common cause of verification delays.
How to make sure you are on the official channel
In Punjab, use only dlims.punjab.gov.pk and the official Rasta app (by Punjab Traffic Police / PITB). Verifying a licence is free and needs no payment — be wary of any site charging a “verification fee.”
Last verified: August 11, 2026. Fees, categories and waiting periods vary by province and can change — confirm on your provincial portal before applying.
ڈرائیونگ لائسنس صوبائی ادارے جاری کرتے ہیں۔ پنجاب میں DLIMS (dlims.punjab.gov.pk) اور Rasta ایپ سے۔ پہلے لرنر، پھر تقریباً 42 دن بعد ٹیسٹ۔ صرف اپنے صوبے کا سرکاری پورٹل استعمال کریں۔
Eligibility Criteria
Required Documents
How to Apply — Step by Step
Apply for a learner permit online via your provincial system (e.g., DLIMS Punjab at dlims.punjab.gov.pk) or at the licensing office.
After the mandatory waiting period (about 42 days in Punjab), book your driving test.
Pass the theory test (signs and rules) and the practical driving test.
Submit documents, pay the fee and complete biometric / photo capture.
Collect your licence or receive it by courier; track the status online using your CNIC.