A Complete Guide to Driving Licence Fees in Kerala

Posted on: Jul 24, 2025 | 4 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

A Complete Guide to Driving Licence Fees in Kerala

A driving licence is a legal requirement to drive on the road. Whether you're applying for a licence for personal reasons or commercial, you must abide by the rules and regulations that promote road safety. You must go through all the road safety rules and also practice driving before applying for the test.

Before applying for the licence, it is also crucial that applicants are familiar with the DL fees in Kerala. Apart from the licence being issued, you will be charged for other services too, which will often be included in the licence itself. Along with the licence, you should also apply for car insurance policy once you purchase your vehicle. The traffic police may check this document, too, along with others.

Types of Licences

The Kerala MVD categorises the driving licence based on vehicles and usage. When applying for a licence in Kerala, it is crucial to understand how you'll use the vehicle or the type you're applying for.

Below are the key types of driving licences in Kerala:

1. Learner's Licence:

This is a provisional licence which allows the driver to take their vehicle on public roads with the L sign. It is usually given for practice purposes. The learner's licence comes with a limited period of validity, and before it expires, you must complete your permanent licence test.

2. Permanent Driving Licence:

This licence will be issued to you only if you have passed your driving test. It confirms that you have adequate skills and are aware of the traffic rules. To pass your DL test, you must be aware of the Kerala traffic fine rules and penalties.

3. Commercial Vehicle Driving Licence:

This licence will be issued when you're operating commercial vehicles such as taxis, buses and trucks. A commercial vehicle driving licence has several eligibility criteria. You must be aware of the rules and also be an expert on the road to obtain this licence.

4. International Driving Permit:

With an International Driving Permit, you can drive abroad. This type of licence complies with the foreign laws recognised globally. However, the international driving licence cost in Kerala is slightly higher than other types of licences.

5. Light Motor Vehicle Licence:

This type of licence is issued mostly for light or smaller vehicles like small vans, jeeps or cars. Whether you're going to be using it for personal reasons or commercial, you must get your licence within the timeline.

6. Heavy Motor Vehicle Licence:

This is a licence for driving heavy vehicles like buses, trucks and lorries. To obtain this licence, you must undergo rigorous tests and specialised training. You must fulfil the eligibility criteria as well for obtaining this licence.

7. Two-wheeler licence:

The two-wheeler licence is usually given for scooters and bikes. Depending on the requirement, it can be with or without gears.

You must ensure that you have the documents prepared, irrespective of the type of licence you're applying for. Form 4 is the general application required for all types of driving licences in Kerala. You can apply for these licences online or visit the RTO to apply offline.

Fee Breakdown

The total driving licence cost in Kerala is estimated to be around INR 700-800, which often includes various service fees as well. While applying for the licence, you must get a clear breakdown of the fees so that you know what you're paying for. The breakdown of RTO licence charges for Kerala for driving is as follows:

Service Description	Fee (in INR)
Learner’s licence test fee or test fee for repeating	50
Updating or changing other particulars in the driving licence	200
Filing an appeal against the orders given by the licensing authority	500
Renewing a driving licence after the grace period expiry	300.00 + 1000.00/year (for each year of delay)
Regular driving licence Kerala renewal charges	200
Endorsement or renewal of authorisation for hazardous goods	1000
Competence test for the different classes of vehicles	300
Issuing a duplicate licence to the authority or driving school	5000
Issue of an International Driving Permit	1000
Issue or renewal of a licence to a school for imparting driving	10000
Adding another class to the driving licence	500
Issue of learner’s licence for each class of vehicle	150
General price for issuing a four-wheeler driving licence in Kerala	200

You must pay the charges properly as per the regulations. Kerala MVD has specific rules and guidelines that you must adhere to. Apart from paying the fees, you must also ensure that you submit the proper documents while applying for the licence. These include:

1. Form 4 is a general application that all applicants must fill out. It is applicable for all types of driving licences.

2. Form 2 for learner's licence

3. 3-passport-sized photographs

4. Form 1 for applicants below the age of 50 years.

5. Form 1A for applicants above the age of 50 years applying for non-transport licences.

6. Receipt of payment of DL fees, Kerala.

All driving licence applicants in Kerala must be 8th standard pass to get their licence.

MVD Kerala Payment Portal

MVD Kerala payment portal makes it easier for you to make your driving licence payment. It offers payment options for various services, including applying for a new licence, renewing it, updating details, or applying for a learner's licence. With the Kerala MVD portal being present, you wouldn't have to visit the RTO and wait in long queues to get the payment done.

This digital shift has been highly convenient to all. You must have a valid driving licence to showcase your responsible driving habits. You need to create a safe driving foundation with a valid driving licence and car insurance. The insurance provides financial safety coverage against any potential mishaps that can happen on the road.

Furthermore, the portal ensures that you're paying the RTO licence charges in Kerala on time. Whether it's a new application or renewal, sticking to the timeline and fulfilling your commitment helps to avoid any unnecessary fines and penalties. However, make sure that you're not driving without insurance. This can often land you in trouble if the police ask you to provide the document. Also, ensure to keep your licence updated to avoid any unwanted hassles on the road.

FAQs

1. How many types of driving licences are there in Kerala?

There are three different types of driving licences in Kerala: a permanent licence, a commercial licence, and a learner's licence. You must adhere to the rules and comply with the regulations to ensure road safety.

2. What are the DL fees in Kerala?

The DL fees Kerala is around INR 700-800. The overall cost includes learner's licence fee, driving test fee and driving licence issuance fee. As for issuance, the cost is only INR 200.

3. How is Kerala's driving licence classified based on vehicles?

Regarding vehicles, the Kerala driving licence can be classified into various categories, such as the Light Motor Vehicle, Light Goods Vehicle and more.

4. How many days does it take to get a driving licence in Kerala?

After you have appeared and passed your test, it takes around 30 days to get your driving licence in Kerala. The driving licence will be issued to your delivery address.

5. How much does it cost to pass a driving licence test in Kerala?

To pass your learner's driving licence test, you must score 60% in the computer-based exam. The computer-based test usually covers various topics such as defensive driving, rules and regulations, signals and road manners.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Driving Licence Renewal in Pune: Online & Offline Guide

Driving Licence Renewal in Maharashtra: A Complete Guide

Driving Licence Renewal in Mumbai: Online & Offline Guide

Tamil Nadu Driving License Fees: Up-to-Date Cost Information

Light Motor Vehicle Licence: Types, Eligibility, and Benefits