Here’s How to Get A Driving License in Karachi

In this Post
Latest Updates on Driving License
Eligibility Criteria
Driving License Offices
Types of License
International Driving Permit
Driving License Fee, Karachi
Online Driving License Services

Latest Updates on Driving License in Karachi

Update (August 13, 2020): Now that the coronavirus lockdown in Sindh has been lifted, driving licence centres in Karachi have been reopened. Moreover, the authorities have come up with new SOPs for people applying for driver’s licence in Karachi. This step was essential to prevent the spread of the virus after the restoration of operations.

Applicants are urged to follow the approved SOPs. They need to make a pre-appointment application by visiting the official website of Driving Licence Sindh. In fact, the Driving Licence Authority in Sindh (DLS) has also launched an Online Pre-appointment Application. This app is easily available on Google Playstore for the convenience of the public.

You can also verify your pre-appointment application status after booking through these online portals. The only details required for online booking of the appointment are your name and CNIC number. Simply, pick a slot as per your convenience and visit your desired driving licence centre in Karachi during the given time.

Driving on the streets and roads of Karachi without a permit to drive is a serious crime. Yet, you can see a lot of underage individuals driving vehicles without a license, which is quite dangerous for the driver as well as other people on the road. Acquiring a driving license in Karachi is a necessity, not just for convenience, but also if you want to lead a peaceful life without getting detained or heavily fined for having no driving permit, in case you get caught.

Am I Eligible To Apply For Driving License in Karachi?

This is the most important question that you should ask yourself before sitting behind the steering wheel. If you are above 18 and have received your Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), then you can surely apply for a driver’s license in Karachi.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important elements that you should be aware of while applying for a driving license in Karachi.

Where to go in Karachi to apply for a Driving License?

A lot of people are unaware of the fact that there are actually four not two centres in Karachi that can issue a driving license. Three of these stations are found within the city and the fourth one, which is found in Baldia Town, is actually more easily accessible by people living in the suburbs of the city. The names and addresses of these centres are:

• Clifton Branch: 5th Zamzama St, Neelam Colony (Nearest landmarks: Do Talwar and Mohatta Palace)
• Korangi Branch: Sector 6A, main causeway, Korangi
• Nazimabad Branch: Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Rd, A-9 Block 4 D/3
• Baldia Town Branch: Traffic Training Institute Baldia Town, Saeedabad (Nearest Landmark: Hub Chowki)

Branch Timings:

Monday to Saturday: 9am till 4pm

Friday: 9am till 12.30pm

Lunch hours: 1:00pm till 1.30pm everyday (except Friday)

All the license centres in Karachi mentioned above have the same timings.

Types of Driving License That You Can Apply For

The Driving License department in Sindh, which is an extremely important organ of Sindh Police, is responsible for the issuance of driving license and permits in Karachi. According to the traffic laws applied across Pakistan, generally, people can apply for the three types of driving permits in Karachi that are listed as follows:

• Learner’s License
• Permanent Driving License
• International Driving Permit

Learner’s License

Before anyone gets on the road, the very first thing they need to do is get a learner’s license in Karachi. It’s issued after the completion of a simple registration procedure and a nominal amount of fee.

Validity, Fee Structure & Required Documentation

• One Year Validity
• Fee for Motorcycle: PKR 50 / for Car: PKR 100 / Combined: PKR 150
• CNIC and 4 passport-size photos

Permanent Driving License

Upon the completion of a 42-day duration after acquiring a learner’s license, you become eligible to apply for a permanent driving license. It goes without saying that you must, at all times, drive responsibly. Any brush with the law can result in issues in future steps.

If you’re applying for a permanent driving license in Karachi, you have to undergo certain tests, which we shall discuss below.

Written, Eyesight and Driving Tests

Initially, a written test is taken in order to judge your knowledge and understandings about civic and traffic laws in the city. Afterwards, an eyesight test is conducted by medical examiners at license centres in Karachi.

Once you clear both of these tests, you are required to drive a car. It’s advised if you take your own vehicle. Pro tip: take short turns and park it safely in a marked zone. Also, practice before you appear for the test. This is crucial.

After passing all these tests, you will get a receipt and will be asked to wait for a week until your license is mailed to you.

Validity, Fee & Required Documentation

• 3-5 Years of Validity
• Fee for Motorcycle: PKR 510 for 3 Years / PKR 660 for 5 Years
• Fee for Car: PKR 960 for 3 Years / PKR 1,260 for 5 Years
• Fee for Car and Motorcycle (combined): PKR 1,410 for 3 Years / PKR 1,860 for 5 Years
• CNIC and 4 passport size photos are the required documents

International Driving Permit

If you have plans to take a vacation or study abroad and want to drive your own vehicle there, then you will be needing an International Driving Permit. Almost all the driving license centres in Karachi can provide you with an International Driving Permit. You will need to fulfill the following requirements, though.

Required Documentation & Fee

• Copy of Pakistani Driving license (issued by Sindh Police)     
• Copy of valid Passport along with valid Visa     
• Copy of CNIC of applicant     
• Proof of Residence in Karachi
• Fee: PKR 500 for normal processing / PKR 1,050 for urgent processing

Driving License and Its Renewal Fee for Different Vehicles

For certain types of vehicles, we have already discussed fee structure for acquiring a driving license in Karachi. However, below is a detailed chart that will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the license and its renewal fee charged for various vehicles.

Availability of Online Forms and Mobile Application

Thanks to technology, now you can easily download application forms for a driving license by visiting the official Traffic Police Karachi website. Moreover, you can also verify your driving license online by visiting the online verification section of the institution of Driving License Sindh’s website.

An application has also been introduced by the Driving License Authority in Sindh that allows people to access a lot of necessary options through their smartphones such as license verification, application enquiry, their license status and history, details about driving theory test and location information of all license centres in Karachi and overall Sindh. The applicants of driver’s license also receive updates and alerts regarding the process through SMS service.

This is all you need to know before applying for a driving license in Karachi. In case you’re a reader from the federal capital, then we have something for you as well. Check out the step-by-step procedure of applying for a driving license in Islamabad.Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with more interesting information via Zameen Blog – Pakistan’s most famous lifestyle blog.

*Images sourced from Official Facebook Page of Driving License Sindh and Google Play Store