Karnataka sets 7-day deadline for LLR test, here’s what applicants need to do india news

Last updated:08 December, 2025, 15:15 IST

This update also includes those who applied months ago and forgot to take the exam. They must complete their testing by December 31, 2025 or their records will be expunged

Over the years, the learner license process in Karnataka has been a strange mix of convenience and delay. People applied online, paid fees online, uploaded documents online and then quietly forgot to give the actual exam. Applications piled up on the silk board like a morning rush. RTOs kept waiting for those who never returned. And the system remained jammed.

Therefore, Karnataka Transport Department has drawn a line. If you apply for a learner’s license from January 1, 2026, you will have to appear for an online test within 7 days. Not till the end of the month. Not when you remember. Seven days. Miss this, and your application automatically disappears from the system.

It sounds drastic, but the department says the goal is simple: clean up an online system that was beginning to become glitchy and unreliable. And with Aadhaar based login and remote testing already in place, the government believes the 7-day rule is realistic.

Here’s a narrative guide mixed with clear steps on how to navigate this new rule without getting your application canceled.

Step One: Apply to Chariot, watch will start immediately

Everything starts on the Sarathi portal, which is the national platform managed by NIC. Once you log in using Aadhaar or mobile OTP, the process becomes smooth. Upload documents, fill your details, select your RTO and pay the fee.

The moment your application is submitted, the 7 day countdown starts. Karnataka is treating this rule like an appointment system. No grace period. No need to extend the date.

Step Two: Have Your Documents Ready

Due to Aadhaar based authentication, most of the applications pass verification instantly. But if the system asks for verification, keep these handy:

• Age Proof • Address Proof • Mobile Number Linked to Aadhaar • Clear Scanned Documents

Unless a mismatch is detected, most applicants will not need to physically visit the RTO.

Step Three: Take the Online Exam from Home

Earlier, the biggest hurdle was scheduling the test at the RTO. People kept waiting for slots, dates were postponed or never came. Karnataka has now ended all excuses.

The Learner’s License Test is completely online and can be taken from home. Once your documents are approved, you simply log in again and start testing. The format is straightforward:

• Ten multiple choice questions • Basic traffic rules and symbols • Six correct answers required to pass • Available in multiple languages

The only warning from the department is simple. Don’t delay. Even if you face a power cut or poor WiFi, the 7-day clock doesn’t stop.

Step Four: If you pass, your learner license is instant

Once you successfully complete the test, your LL is automatically generated. No meeting. No ticket. No counter.

You can download it from here:

• Sarathi Dashboard

• DigiLocker

The LL remains valid for six months, giving you time to practice and prepare for the permanent license test later on.

Step Five: If You Fail, Don’t Panic

There is a 24-hour cool down window before retaking the test. But this also comes with a condition. Re-testing must also occur within the original 7-day window. If all your attempts exceed this, your application will be automatically rejected.

This means you can’t count on endless retries. Planning matters.

This update also includes those who applied months ago and forgot to take the exam. They have to complete their test by December 31, 2025. If not, their long pending applications will disappear from the system.

Why is Karnataka doing this?

Transport officials say thousands of incomplete LL applications were clogging the system. Some people applied and never took the exam. Others kept postponing it for months. With an emphasis on online services, the state wants a cleaner, faster process.

This rule ensures that the digital system runs smoothly and the responsibility is not put on the RTO but on the applicant.

Quick Bullet Point Checklist

A simple reminder for anyone applying:

• Apply Online on Sarathi • Finish the trial within seven days • Applied too early? Complete the test before December 31, 2025. Pass: LL Generated immediately. Failure: Take again after 24 hours, but within the same seven days. Missed the deadline? The application cancels and you start again