Learners Lessons
Given the lack of clarity and documentation around the process of applying for a learner's license in the state of Jharkhand, I thought I'd quickly summarize my experience for posterity.
Before doing anything else,
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Go to parivahan.gov.in [GoI link] > Apply Online > New Learner's License.
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When you are uploading your Aadhar card copy and passport copy, make sure you upload a scanned PDF of the original documents NOT photocopies. I had uploaded a photocopy of my Aadhar card and it was rejected during scrutiny.
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Though the parivahan website says that you only need to provide a self attested medical form (Form 1) if you are below 50, the state of Jharkhand requires everyone to upload Form 1A which is the version of Form 1 filled out by a medical examiner.
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Once uploaded, you will get a reference number. If you check your application status [parivahan website link], it will say SCRUTINY along with a counter number like DTOCOUNTER3.
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You can immediately go to the DTO (District Transport Office) and get your documents verified. I wasted more than a month thinking the status would change based on some action taken by the DTO i.e., my application was being scrutinized by the transport office. In reality, you don't have to wait at all. Just go to the DTO for the next step.
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The DTO will look through your application in front of you, take your photograph, ask you to enter your signature on a touchpad, then send you to a payment counter to pay ₹26.
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Once you have paid ₹26 at the payment counter, you go back to the scrutiny counter where they will take your application fees. For my combined 4-wheeler and 2-wheeler license, the state of Jharkhand charged ₹500 which you can pay by demand draft or Debit card.
Don't ask why you have to pay ₹26 at a payment counter and ₹500 at the scrutiny counter. Some things just are as they are.
Once your ₹500 payment has been processed, wait to get a text message telling you that your LL has been generated. You can pick up your LL from the DTO about 3-4 days after getting that text message. Right now, I'm waiting for the text message telling me that my LL has been generated. I'll write up the steps required to get my DL in a subsequent post.