You can start your driving licence online apply process from your phone in Pakistan, but you cannot finish it there. The online part covers the application form and payment. The tests and biometric verification still require you to visit a traffic police centre in person . The system you use depends on your province. Punjab uses the Dastak app, while Sindh uses its own DLS portal. This guide explains both systems, the fees, the documents, and the common mistakes to avoid.
Punjab: Apply Through Dastak
As of September 2026, all driving licence applications in Punjab go through Dastak, the provincial one-window platform. The old DLIMS website now redirects users to Dastak .
What You Need Before You Start
Keep these documents ready. You will upload photos of them.
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Your CNIC: Clear pictures of the front and back .
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A live photo of your face: Taken against a white background .
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A medical certificate: Required if you are 50 years or older, signed by a government doctor .
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A mobile number and email address: For creating your account.
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Payment method: You will generate a PSID (Payment Slip ID) and pay through ATM, online banking, or mobile banking .
Step-by-Step Process for Learner Permit
The learner permit is the first stage. You cannot apply for a full licence without it.
Step 1: Create a Dastak Account
Go to dastak.punjab.gov.pk or download the Dastak app. Register with your mobile number, CNIC, and email .
Step 2: Choose Learner Driving Licence
Under Services, open DLIMS Services and select Learner Driving License .
Step 3: Fill the Form and Upload Documents
Choose your vehicle category (motorcycle, car, etc.). Upload your CNIC pictures and your live photo .
Step 4: Generate PSID and Pay
Submit the form to get a PSID. Pay it through your bank’s ATM, mobile app, or online banking. The fee is Rs 500 per category .
Step 5: Download Your Permit
Once payment is confirmed, a digital copy of your learner permit appears in your account. You can print it .
Age Limits for Punjab
The minimum age depends on the vehicle you want to drive.
| Vehicle Category | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle or Car | 18 years |
| LTV, Rickshaw, Taxi | 21 years |
| HTV (Heavy Transport) | 22 years |
| Juvenile Permit (Motorcycle up to 125cc) | 16 to 18 years |
Sources: GoPunjab and Pakistan Post guides .
The Juvenile Permit requires a B-Form or smart card, written consent from a parent or guardian, and passing both a sign test and a road test .
Sindh: Apply Through DLS Sindh
Sindh has a separate system. The fees are structured differently from Punjab.
Learner Permit Fees in Sindh
Sindh charges lower learner fees than Punjab, but adds medical and NADRA verification charges.
| Category | Learner Fee | Medical | NADRA | Total Learner Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Rs 50 | Rs 100 | Rs 65 | Rs 215 |
| Car | Rs 100 | Rs 100 | Rs 65 | Rs 265 |
| Car + Motorcycle | Rs 150 | Rs 100 | Rs 65 | Rs 315 |
Source: Sindh Police fee schedule and DLIMS Sindh guide .
After getting the learner permit, you must wait before taking the permanent licence test. In Punjab, the waiting period is at least 42 days . Check with your local licensing centre for Sindh’s current waiting period.
Permanent Licence Fees in Sindh
Sindh charges a fixed fee for either 3 or 5 years, not per year like Punjab.
| Category | 3-Year Fee | 5-Year Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Rs 510 | Rs 660 |
| Car | Rs 960 | Rs 1,260 |
| Car + Motorcycle | Rs 1,410 | Rs 1,860 |
Source: Sindh Police fee schedule .
Additional charges apply: lamination (Rs 250), NADRA (Rs 65), and medical (Rs 100). Courier charges are Rs 38 within Karachi and Rs 55 outside .
What Happens After the Learner Permit
The online process ends at the learner permit. Everything else happens in person.
Step 1: Practise for the Waiting Period
In Punjab, you must hold the learner permit for at least 42 days before you can take the driving test .
Step 2: Visit a Licensing Centre
Go to a traffic police licensing centre with your original CNIC and learner permit. You will undergo biometric verification, photographs, and video recording .
Step 3: Take the Tests
You will take a traffic sign test and a road driving test .
Step 4: Pay the Licence Fee
If you pass, you pay the licence fee and courier charge. The card is printed and sent to you by post .
Punjab Full Licence Fees
| Category | Test Fee | Fee After Passing | Courier | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Rs 50 | Rs 450 | Rs 480 | Rs 930 |
| Car/Jeep | Rs 150 | Rs 1,350 | Rs 480 | Rs 1,830 |
| LTV | Rs 150 | Rs 1,850 | Rs 480 | Rs 2,330 |
Source: DLIMS fee structure .
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Uploading unclear documents. Blurry CNIC pictures or dark photos will delay your application. Make sure the text is readable .
Forgetting the medical certificate. If you are 50 or older, you need a medical certificate from a government doctor. Without it, your application is incomplete .
Paying through unofficial websites. Only use dastak.punjab.gov.pk or the official Dastak app. Third-party sites may charge extra fees or steal your information .
Letting the learner permit expire. It is valid for six months. If it expires before you take the test, you must apply again .
Driving alone with only a learner permit. You must have a licensed adult with you while practising. Driving alone is illegal .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a driving licence completely online in Pakistan?
No. In Punjab, the learner permit application and payment are fully online through Dastak. But the traffic sign test, driving test, and biometric verification must be done in person at a licensing centre .
How much is the learner permit fee in Punjab?
The fee is Rs 500 per vehicle category. If you apply for both motorcycle and car, you pay Rs 1,000 .
How long do I have to wait before taking the driving test?
In Punjab, you must hold the learner permit for at least 42 days before you can take the driving test . Check with your local licensing centre for Sindh’s waiting period.
What documents do I need for the online application?
You need pictures of your CNIC front and back, a live photo of your face on a white background, and a medical certificate if you are 50 or older. You also need a mobile number and email address to create your account .
What is the fee for a car licence in Punjab?
After passing the test, the car licence fee is Rs 1,350, plus Rs 480 for card and courier. The total is Rs 1,830, excluding the test fee of Rs 150 .
