Applying for a learner’s driving licence in Gujarat has long meant at least one early-morning trip to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), waiting in a queue, and hoping the testing terminal is working. That is changing. In May 2025, the Gujarat government announced it is rolling out a system to let applicants take the learner’s licence test from their own home, using a webcam-enabled device, through the central Sarathi Parivahan portal. Here is everything you need to know about how the new system works, who it affects, and what the complete process looks like in 2025.
Why Is Gujarat Doing This?
The pilot for at-home learner’s licence testing was announced on 13 May 2025 by the Commissionerate of Transport, Government of Gujarat, with a clear goal: reducing footfall at RTO offices across Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and other major cities where testing queues routinely exceed an hour. The initiative follows the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ push under Vahan 4.0 and Sarathi 4.0 to digitise all transport-related services. Gujarat is among the first states to pilot the at-home version at scale.
How Does the At-Home Test Work?
The test is administered through Gujarat RTO’s STALL system (Students’ Testing and Automated Licensing), integrated with the national Sarathi Parivahan portal. Key details:
- Format: 15 multiple-choice questions on traffic rules, road signs, and driving safety.
- Passing score: Minimum 9 correct answers out of 15 are required to pass.
- Languages: Available in English, Gujarati, and Hindi.
- Device requirement: A computer, laptop, or smartphone with a functioning webcam — which will actively monitor the applicant during the test to detect suspicious behaviour.
- Automatic disqualification: Any suspicious behaviour flagged by the webcam monitoring system results in automatic disqualification and the test must be rescheduled.
- Mobile app: A dedicated app to support the at-home testing process is under development and expected to simplify the process further.
The Complete Learner’s Licence Process in Gujarat (2025)
Whether you take the test at home or at an RTO, the overall process follows these steps:
- Visit Sarathi Parivahan: Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select Gujarat as your state.
- Apply for Learner Licence: Select “Apply for Learner Licence” from the services menu.
- Fill the application form: Enter personal details, address, date of birth (minimum age: 18 for cars, 16 for gearless two-wheelers up to 50cc with parental consent), and upload documents.
- Documents required: Aadhaar card (identity and address proof), date of birth proof (birth certificate or school certificate), and a passport-size photograph.
- Pay the fee: The learner’s licence application fee is currently ₹200 for most vehicle classes.
- Schedule the test: Choose an RTO slot or, once available in your area, the at-home webcam test option.
- Take and pass the test: Score 9/15 to pass. Your digital learner’s licence is issued immediately upon success.
- Download via DigiLocker: Your learner’s licence is digitally stored in DigiLocker and on the mParivahan app — both are legally valid and accepted as original documents at police checkpoints.
Learner’s Licence Validity and Next Steps
A learner’s licence issued in Gujarat is valid for six months from the date of issue. You can apply for a permanent driving licence only after holding the learner’s licence for a minimum of 30 days. Do not let it lapse — if you miss the 6-month window, you will need to reapply from scratch.
For the permanent driving licence, you will need to visit an RTO for a driving test conducted on a prescribed test track. However, if the RTO has an Automated Driving Test Track (ADTT) facility, the test is done by sensors — removing examiner discretion from the evaluation.
Which Gujarat RTOs Are Covered?
The at-home learner’s licence test was initially planned as a pilot for Gujarat’s urban RTOs — Ahmedabad (East and West), Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Gandhinagar. A statewide rollout is expected through 2025-26 once the technical infrastructure, including the webcam monitoring system and proctoring app, is fully deployed.
What This Means for Gujarat Applicants
For urban applicants, this is a significant quality-of-life improvement. Between scheduling, travelling, waiting, and returning, a single RTO visit for a learner’s licence test has historically taken half a day. The at-home option, once fully operational, reduces that to under 30 minutes. It is especially beneficial for working professionals, women, elderly applicants, and those in areas poorly served by public transport.
For updates on rollout timelines and to check if at-home testing is live in your area, visit the official Gujarat RTO portal at cot.gujarat.gov.in or the national Sarathi portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.