Karnataka Sets 7-Day Deadline For LLR Test, Here’s What Applicants Must Do

For years, the Learner’s Licence 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 take the actual test. Applications piled up like morning traffic at Silk Board. RTOs kept waiting for people who never returned. And the system stayed jammed.

So the Karnataka Transport Department has drawn a line. From January 1, 2026, if you apply for a Learner’s Licence, you must take the online test within 7 days. Not by the end of the month. Not when you remember. Seven days. Miss it, and your application disappears from the system automatically.

It sounds harsh, but the department insists the goal is simple: clean up an online system that was starting

to get messy and unreliable. And with Aadhaar based login and remote testing already in place, the government believes the 7 day rule is realistic.

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

Step One: Apply On Sarathi, The Clock Starts Immediately

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

The moment your application is submitted, the 7 day countdown begins. Karnataka is treating this rule like an appointment system. No grace periods. No pushing the date ahead.

Step Two: Keep Your Documents Ready

Most applications pass verification instantly, thanks to Aadhaar based authentication. But if the system asks for validation, keep these handy:

• Age proof
  • Address proof
  • Aadhaar linked mobile number
  • Clear scanned documents

Most applicants will not need to visit the RTO physically unless a mismatch is detected.

Step Three: Take The Online Test From Home

Earlier, the biggest hurdle was scheduling the test at the RTO. People waited for slots, postponed dates or simply never showed up. Karnataka has now removed all excuses.

The Learner’s Licence test is fully online and can be taken from home. Once your documents are approved, you simply log in again and start the test. The format is straightforward:

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

The only warning from the department is simple. Do not delay. Even if you face power cuts or poor WiFi, the 7 day clock does not stop.

Step Four: If You Pass, Your Learner’s Licence Is Instant

Once you complete the test successfully, your LL is generated automatically. No visits. No stamps. No counters.

You can download it from:
• The Sarathi dashboard
• DigiLocker

The LL stays valid for six months, giving you time to practice and prepare for the permanent licence test later.

Step Five: If You Fail, Do Not Panic

There is a cool down window of 24 hours before you can retake the test. But even this comes with a condition. The retest must also happen within the original 7-day window. If all your attempts spill beyond that, your application will be cancelled automatically.

This means you cannot rely on endless retries. Planning matters.

People who already applied months ago and forgot to take the test are also included in this update. They must finish their test by December 31, 2025. If not, their long pending applications will vanish from the system.

Why Karnataka Is Doing This

Transport officials say thousands of incomplete LL applications were clogging the systems. Some people applied and never took the test. Others kept postponing for months. With the push towards online services, the state wants a cleaner, faster process.

This rule ensures the digital system runs smoothly and puts responsibility on the applicant, not the RTO.

Quick Bullet Point Checklist

A simple reminder for anyone applying:

• Apply online on Sarathi
  • Finish the test within seven days
  • Already applied long ago? Complete the test before Dec 31, 2025
  • Pass: LL generated instantly
  • Fail: retake after 24 hours, but within the same seven days
  • Miss the deadline? Application gets cancelled and you start again