How to Get a Driving Licence in Sindh?

IN THIS POST:
– About Driving Licence Sindh
– How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Sindh?
– How to Verify a Driving Licence in Sindh?
– How to Avail the Learner’s Mobile Unit Facility?

(Update Oct 02, 2024): The Sindh government has introduced online services for obtaining learning and international driving licenses, with non-commercial license renewals to follow. Applicants can access the service at https://dlsonline.sindhpolice.gov.pk and apply for a permanent license after 42 days. Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar commended the initiative for modernising police services and improving public access. Since September, international driving licenses have also been issued online, with branches in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and other cities offering the service.

All individuals who are above 18 years of age can apply for a driving licence in Sindh by visiting any of the licencing centres in the province. Alternatively, the Driving Licence Sindh (DLS) App can also be used to apply for a driving licence in Sindh. The web-based portal of DLS also offers a range of information and services which we will discuss below for your convenience.

About DLS

Under the administration of the Sindh Police, the Driving Licence Department issues licences and driving permits to individuals who pass the authority’s testing criteria based on driving ethics, road sense, and traffic rules. Driving Licence Sindh, or DLS, as the department is commonly known, offers licence verification and driving test appointment bookings via its website, but the DLS App has a much broader scope.

Launched near the end of 2016, the Driving Licence Sindh App has now digitised all of the department’s services and made them available online to all of the citizens in the comfort of their homes. The app encompasses a range of online services, including applying for a driving licence, giving the theoretical driving test, verifying a driving licence, paying the driving licence fee, and even searching for the nearest driving licence centre in Sindh before visiting a centre for the practical driving test.

How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Sindh?

While you can register for a driving licence via the DLS App, you will need to physically visit the nearest licencing centre in Sindh to complete the driving licence application process.

You will need to book an appointment online before visiting the licencing centre. After you verify your appointment at the front desk at the licencing centre, you will be asked to complete the registration form and get a photograph taken on the spot. A doctor will then check your eyesight, and you will then need to deposit the required fees at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) counter to receive your learner’s licence accordingly.

For a permanent driving licence, you’ll need to appear for an oral and written test on the computer. The practical road test will then take place on the premises of the licencing office. Please note that the permanent licence will be sent to the applicant’s given address via courier services.

Learner’s Permit

Anyone above the minimum age limit can get a learning licence. The learner’s driving licence is valid for 1 year. All drivers holding a learner’s permit can appear at the driving centre for mandatory tests after 45 days for non-commercial driving licences. Meanwhile, learners can appear for a test after 60 days for a commercial driving licence.

Learner’s Driving Licence Fee

Please note that in the table given above, MCR refers to a Motor Cycle Rickshaw, LTV refers to a Light Transport Vehicle, such as a commercial car, including a taxi, mini bus, or jeep, and HTV refers to Heavy Transport Vehicle, including trucks, buses, cranes, trailers, and other heavy transport.

Moreover, the minimum age requirement for motorcycles or motor cars is 18 years, while you need to be at least 21 years old to drive an LTV or an MCR. The minimum age limit for HTVs is 22 years.

Permanent Driving Licence

All permanent licences are valid for 3 to 5 years based on the licencing fee you are paying at the time of application. The process of applying for a driving licence includes 25 theoretical questions, out of which 18 must be correctly answered to secure 72 marks out of a possible 100 to move on to the next stage. The theoretical test can be about traffic signs, road safety, as well as road markings.

The practical road test is the next step, and the testing officers present on the spot will explain all of the parking and driving requirements that you need to fulfil to pass the test. After passing these tests as well as the mandatory medical examination, applicants will receive a computerised driving licence.

Permanent Driving Licence Fee

Fee for Renewal of Driving Licence

How to Book an Appointment Online?

You must book an appointment online at the DLS website or app to appear for a driving test. You will need to provide your name and CNIC number after clicking “Online Pre-Appointment” on the screen shown in the image above.

Driving Licence Offices in Sindh

There are 26 licencing centres across Sindh that issue a learner’s driving licence, while three of the driving licence offices in Karachi, at Clifton, Nazimabad, and Korangi, and one each in Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Mirpur Khas, also offer permanent licences as well as licence renewals. All offices are open Monday to Friday between 10 am to 4 pm.

How to Verify a Driving Licence in Sindh?

DLS offers online licence verification services for all those who want to confirm the authenticity of a driving licence and caters especially to those citizens who want to hire drivers for their personal use or as part of their professional team. Online verification of driving licences can be performed after visiting the Official Website of Driving Licence Sindh or by downloading the DLS App for free from the Google Play Store. Overseas Pakistanis can contact DLS at verification.dls@sindhpolice.gov.pk if they want to avail the verification services or have other queries related to their driving licence.

How to Avail the Learner’s Mobile Unit Facility?

The Driving Licence Department of Sindh also offers a mobile unit facility for educational institutions and corporate organisations who want to issue learner’s permits to their students or staff on a large scale. You need to have a minimum of 200 applicants willing to apply for a learning licence also with having valid CNICs to avail the facility at your doorstep.

You can apply at DLS’s Karachi office, or via the mobile app to avail the Learner’s Mobile Unit service. A response will be provided accordingly to schedule a date and time for the campaign and the necessary arrangement shall be made as needed on both sides. Please note that this team will only issue learning permits.

Now you know how to apply for a driving licence in Sindh. You can check out a similar post on applying for a driving licence in Punjab as well. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more helpful posts. We look forward to receiving your comments and feedback at blog@zameen.com.

*[Cover Image Credits: Official Website of DLS]