How to book a driving licence test slot in Kerala

Last updated: October 2026

To book a driving licence test slot in Kerala, go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, select Kerala as the state, open the Appointments menu and choose DL Test Slot Booking. Enter your application number and date of birth, confirm the OTP sent to your registered mobile number, pick a free date from the calendar and confirm the booking. You must hold a valid learner's licence for at least 30 days before the test, and the official driving test fee is Rs.300 per vehicle class. Slots at busy Kerala RTOs fill within minutes of release, so plan to check early in the day.

Before you book: the eligibility checklist

1. You hold a valid learner's licence for the same vehicle class, issued at least 30 days ago and still within its 6-month validity.
2. Your permanent driving licence application (Form 4) is submitted on Sarathi and the fee is paid.
3. Your registered mobile number is active: the slot booking needs an OTP on it.
4. Your application number is handy: it is the reference Sarathi gave you when you applied.

If you are still at the learner's stage, start with our guide to applying for a learner's licence online in Kerala.

The official fees behind the booking

These are the central fees under the Motor Vehicles Rules, mirrored across recent official and helpdesk publications and on the Parivahan fee schedule. Always confirm the exact amount shown on the Sarathi payment screen before you pay.

A few states add a small smart card or service charge on top, which the portal displays at checkout. Read the fee breakup on screen; the official receipt is the only total that matters.

Step-by-step: book your DL test slot on Sarathi

1. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select Kerala from the state list. Each state runs its own sub-portal, so make sure you are on Kerala.
2. From the top menu, click Appointments, then DL Test Slot Booking.
3. Enter your application number (or learner's licence number), date of birth and the captcha code, then click Submit.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to continue.
5. Select the vehicle class for your test, then pick a date shown in green on the calendar. The page refreshes to show the available time slots for that date; click the one you want.
6. Confirm the booking and download or print the acknowledgement slip. It carries your test date, RTO and reporting time, and you will need it on test day.

What to do when every slot shows full

This is the most common complaint from applicants, and it is real: test slots at high-demand Kerala RTOs are limited, and released dates get taken quickly. Applicants report that booking windows tend to open in the morning and fill within minutes (more in our driving test guide). Here is what actually works:

• Check early in the day, daily. New dates appear when the RTO releases its calendar and when other applicants cancel. A five-minute check each morning beats one long session a week.
• Watch for cancellations. Every cancelled slot goes back into the pool, so a date that showed full on Monday can open on Wednesday.
• Ask your driving school. Schools book test slots for students every day, so they know each RTO's release pattern and can keep checking when you cannot.
• Keep your learner's licence valid while you wait. If your LL expires before you get a test date, you will need a fresh LL before the DL application can proceed. Details on the learner's licence service page.
• Fix the mobile number first if OTPs are not arriving. An outdated registered number locks you out of the whole booking flow; update it through the portal before doing anything else.

How to cancel or reschedule a booked slot

Sarathi treats a reschedule as two steps: cancel the old slot first, then book a new one.

1. On the Kerala Sarathi page, go to Appointments and choose Cancel DL Test Slot.
2. Enter your application number, date of birth and captcha, then submit.
3. Verify the OTP on your mobile number. Your booked slot appears on screen; click Cancel.
4. Book a fresh slot with the steps above, for a date you can actually attend.

What to carry on test day

• The printed acknowledgement slip from your slot booking.
• Originals of the documents listed on the slip: learner's licence, age and address proof.
• The vehicle you are being tested on, with a valid RC, insurance and PUC.
• Helmet for two-wheelers, seatbelt on for four-wheelers. Arrive before your reporting time and follow the examiner's instructions.

FAQ

Can I book the test slot before applying for the permanent licence?

No. The slot booking works on your application number, so the Form 4 application and fee payment must be complete first. The fee is calculated when you apply, and the official test fee is Rs.300 per class.

I failed the driving test. When can I book again?

You can re-test after a 7-day cooling period, paying the Rs.300 test fee again. Book the new slot the same way as before.

Do I need to bring my own vehicle?

Yes. You take the test on a vehicle of the class you applied for, and it must carry a valid RC, insurance and PUC certificate. Many applicants use their driving school's vehicle.

The portal is stuck, or my payment went through but no receipt appeared. What now?

Do not pay twice. Note the transaction ID and contact the Sarathi helpdesk at 0120-2459169 (6 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday) or email helpdesk-sarathi@gov.in. Screenshots of the payment confirmation help.

How long do I have after getting my learner's licence?

Your LL is valid for 6 months. You can apply for the permanent licence only after 30 days from the LL's issue date, and you must complete the process before the LL expires. If a test slot never opens in time, keep the LL renewed rather than letting it lapse (see our guide to licence renewal fees for how fee logic works on renewals).

Fees and rules change without notice. Verify all fees and rules on parivahan.gov.in before applying.