Driving Licence in Sikkim: How to Apply, Renew and Check Status (2026)

A driving licence in Sikkim is issued by the Sikkim Transport Department through its Regional Transport Offices, which register vehicles on the SK series. The application runs on the national Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, so the process and licence classes are the same across India; what is local is the RTO you visit for the test and biometrics. A valid licence for the vehicle class also matters for insurance: a motor own-damage claim can be questioned if the driver did not hold a valid licence for that class of vehicle.

Driving licence classes

The class of licence decides which vehicles you may legally drive. These classes are set nationally under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and apply in Sikkim as everywhere else in India.

Learner's licence to permanent licence in Sikkim

1. Apply for the learner's licence on Sarathi in Form 2, with proof of age, address and a passport photo. A short online test on road signs and rules follows.
2. Hold the learner's licence for at least 30 days before applying for the permanent licence. It is valid for six months.
3. Book the driving test at your SK RTO in Form 4. Bring the vehicle of the class you are testing for.
4. Pass the test, after which the permanent licence is printed and dispatched, and can be tracked online.
5. Add a transport endorsement separately if you will drive commercially, which needs a minimum age of 20 and a medical certificate in Form 1A.

Where to apply in Sikkim

Applications are filed online on Sarathi and completed at the Regional Transport Office nearest you. In Sikkim the registration series begins with SK, and the office that conducts your test is the one whose jurisdiction covers your residential address. The biometric capture, the driving test and, for renewals past age 40, the medical examination are done in person at that office.

Validity and renewal

• A learner's licence is valid for six months.
• A private driving licence is valid for 20 years or until you turn 50, whichever is earlier.
• After 50, the licence is renewed every five years, with a medical certificate.
• A transport licence is valid for three years and is renewed with a fresh medical certificate.
• Licence fees are set under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and collected on Sarathi — confirm the current amount there before applying.

Documents for a driving licence

Applications move faster when your documents are ready before you book a slot:

• Proof of age such as a birth certificate, passport or Class 10 marksheet
• Proof of current address such as Aadhaar, a utility bill or passport
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Your learner's licence when applying for a permanent licence
• Form 1 self-declaration of fitness (Form 1A medical for applicants over 40 or commercial classes)
• Applications are filed on the Parivahan Sarathi portal

Frequently Asked Questions