Form 1A Medical Certificate in Kolkata for Driving Licence Renewal
Form 1A is the driving licence medical certificate that a registered medical practitioner appointed or authorised by the State Government fills in. You also need Form 1A for a new driving licence application at age 40 or above and for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- In Kolkata you need it to renew a private licence once you have turned 40, and at every renewal of a transport licence.
- It is valid for six months and must be issued electronically on the portal.
- Vision
- Done
- Number plate reading at 25 metres
- Done
- Hearing
- Done
- Night blindness
- Done
- Limbs
- Done
- Colour vision
- Done
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Form 1A for Kolkata drivers at a glance
For a Kolkata renewal, the national rules decide who needs Form 1A and how long it lasts, and the Public Vehicles Department (PVD) of the West Bengal Transport Department handles driving licences in the city.
| Topic | What applies in Kolkata |
|---|---|
| Who needs it | Private licence holders renewing after turning 40, and transport licence applicants and holders at any age. Also required for a new driving licence application at age 40 or above and an International Driving Permit (IDP) application. |
| Rule behind it | Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Section 15, read with Rule 5 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 |
| Licensing office in the city | Public Vehicles Department (PVD), which the West Bengal Transport Department describes as essentially the Regional Transport Authority for Kolkata, with driving licences among its functions |
| Who signs it | A registered medical practitioner appointed for the purpose by the State Government, or a person it authorises, as the official Form 1A says. Ask your PVD or RTO which doctors it accepts |
| Validity | Six months from the date of issue |
| Getting it to your application | With our service, you attach the signed digital copy to your Sarathi renewal application yourself |
| Our price | ₹1,349 for a self test and digital Form 1A. Payment of ₹1,349 for the process is non refundable. |
| The test | A self test of your eyes and ears, done online with the camera on and your face showing |
| Delivery | Digital copy on WhatsApp or email. Allow up to 72 working hours* from when you send your application number, downloaded Form 1A PDF and online ear and eye test results. |
| Working hours | We work Monday to Saturday, from 10:30 am until 8:00 pm IST |
| Central renewal fee | ₹200 plus ₹200 for the smart card, if you renew before expiry or within a year of it |
Do you need Form 1A to renew in Kolkata?
Yes, if you have turned 40 and hold a private car or two wheeler licence, or if your licence lets you drive a transport vehicle. Below 40, a private licence renewal does not need Form 1A (Rule 18(1)(d) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules), unless you are applying for an adapted vehicle licence due to a physical disability.
You are 40 or older on a private licence.
Every renewal from then on needs a new Form 1A.
You hold a transport licence.
Taxi, bus and goods vehicle licences need Form 1A at each renewal, at any age.
You are starting out on a transport vehicle.
A learner's licence or licence for a transport vehicle, or adding a transport class, also needs Form 1A.
You are applying for a new driving licence at 40 or older.
A new driving licence application at age 40 or above needs Form 1A.
You are applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
An IDP application needs Form 1A.
You are under 40 on a private licence.
No Form 1A is needed, unless you are applying for an adapted vehicle licence due to a physical disability.
Our service covers Form 1A for driving licence renewal and for International Driving Permit applications. It does not cover a new or learner's licence.
How long your renewed licence lasts
Your age on the day of renewal sets the new expiry, under Section 14 of the Motor Vehicles Act as amended in 2019.
| Licence, and your age when renewed | New validity |
|---|---|
| Private, under 30 | Until you reach 40 |
| Private, 30 to under 50 | 10 years |
| Private, 50 to under 55 | Until you reach 60 |
| Private, 55 or older | 5 years |
| Transport, any age | 5 years |
| Hazardous goods | 3 years |
Renew at 45 and the licence runs for ten years, so the next renewal, at about 55, needs Form 1A again.
Form 1A in Kolkata, explained
1 min 32 sec · YouTube
How Form 1A fits a West Bengal renewal
Kolkata uses the national Form 1A, and the PVD handles driving licences in the city. With our service, you upload the signed digital copy to your Sarathi application yourself.
Licensing office.
The West Bengal Transport Department describes the PVD as essentially the Regional Transport Authority for Kolkata, with driving licences among its functions.
What the form itself says.
Form 1A is "to be filled in by a registered medical practitioner appointed for the purpose by the State Government or person authorised in this behalf by the State Government".
Upload, not portal approval.
For West Bengal orders, our process is that you upload the signed digital Form 1A to your Sarathi application. Doctor approval on the portal, which our service uses in a few other states, is not part of it.
Validity and format.
The certificate lasts six months and has to be issued electronically on the portal, as in every state.
Before you book with us, ask the PVD or RTO handling your application which doctors it accepts, and follow its answer. Our self test fee cannot be refunded.
What the official Form 1A contains
Form 1A carries your personal details, five questions on eyesight, hearing and limbs, the checks the doctor certifies, and a fit or not fit decision at the end.
| Part of Form 1A | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Your details | Your name, the "son, wife or daughter of" entry, permanent address, date of birth and two identification marks |
| Photograph | Your photo, which the doctor signs partly across |
| 3(a) | A defect of vision, if any, and whether glasses correct it |
| 3(c) | Reading a motor car number plate 25 metres away in good daylight |
| 3(d) | Deafness that prevents you hearing ordinary sound signals |
| 3(e) | Night blindness |
| 3(f) | Loss of a limb, or a defect or deformity in one, that affects driving |
| Optional | Your blood group and Rh factor |
| Doctor's certificate | Wording on the form: a personal examination, with special attention to distant vision, hearing, and the arms, legs, hands and joints |
| Colour vision | Checked on a standard Ishihara chart, with the doctor certifying no severe or total colour blindness |
| Only for hazardous goods licences | Glare recovery, side vision and reaction time |
| Conclusion | Fit or not fit to drive a vehicle other than an adapted vehicle, with reasons if not fit |
| Signatures | The doctor's signature, name, designation, registration number, seal and date, and your signature or thumb impression |
A note printed on the form says a person who can hear but cannot speak may be given a certificate for a non transport licence.
How to get Form 1A online from Kolkata
Begin the renewal on Sarathi under West Bengal, send us the application number and Form 1A PDF, take the eye and ear self test, and then upload the doctor's signed copy to your application.
On Sarathi
You do this first
- 1
Start the renewal.
On Sarathi, choose West Bengal, apply for renewal and copy the application number.
- 2
Download your Form 1A.
Open your profile on the RTO website and save the Form 1A generated for your application. This needs an OTP.
With us
We take it from here
- 3
Fill in our order form.
Enter your details as they appear on your government ID, with the application number, two identification marks and West Bengal as the state of submission.
- 4
Upload documents.
Add a government ID proof and the Form 1A PDF. A passport size photo is optional, or you can take one with your webcam.
- 5
Pay ₹1,349.
Work starts only after payment.
- 6
Do the self test.
You check your own eyes and ears with the camera on and your face visible.
- 7
Attestation.
Once your self test is done, a doctor attests your Form 1A.
- 8
Receive the certificate.
The signed digital copy comes to you on WhatsApp or email.
Back on Sarathi
You finish here
- 9
Upload it to Sarathi.
Add the signed Form 1A to your renewal application.
Hazardous goods licences.
For these, the official form also requires reaction time, side vision and glare recovery checks, so see a doctor in person.
What you need before you order
You need your Sarathi application number, the Form 1A PDF from your profile on the RTO website and a government ID, plus a camera for the self test.
- The application number from your Sarathi renewal
- The Form 1A PDF downloaded from your profile on the RTO website
- A government ID proof
- The mobile phone linked to your application, for OTPs. Sarathi lets you update a mobile number online without visiting the RTO
- A phone or laptop with a working camera, since the self test is taken with your camera on and your face visible
Price, delivery and hours
The self test with a digital Form 1A costs ₹1,349 with us. Any renewal fee you pay on Sarathi is separate.
Do not print the digital copy and take it to a PVD or RTO counter, as a printout is not accepted offline.
Should the office call you for physical verification, you need a physically attested Form 1A, and our service does not provide one.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ₹1,349, covering the self test and your digital Form 1A |
| Refund | Payment of ₹1,349 for the process is non refundable. See our refund and cancellation policy. |
| Delivery | Digital copy by WhatsApp or email |
| Time to allow | Up to 72 working hours* from when you share the application number and the downloaded Form 1A PDF and complete the online ear and eye self test. |
| Hours | From 10:30 am until 8:00 pm IST, Monday through Saturday. An order placed outside these hours is taken up in the next working slot |
| Paper copy | Not offered. Use the digital copy for online upload |
Before you pay: common doubts
Check with your PVD or RTO before you pay, because acceptance depends on its rules and the ₹1,349 fee cannot be refunded.
"My office wants a certificate from a government hospital doctor."
Then get it there. Acceptance depends on the office's rules, and our fee cannot be refunded.
"What happens if the doctor says no?"
Issuing Form 1A is the doctor's decision. Payment of ₹1,349 for the process is non refundable, so there are no refunds, including when the certificate is not issued. Please read our refund and cancellation policy before you order.
"Can the doctor edit my address or photo?"
No. The doctor does not change the address, photo or any other detail on Form 1A, so check them before you order.
"Can I complete Form 1A on my own?"
No. You download the PDF, but only a registered medical practitioner appointed or authorised by the State Government can fill it in.
"Will I get a paper copy?"
No. You receive the digital copy only, for upload to Sarathi.
Renewing a West Bengal licence on Sarathi
You can apply for a West Bengal licence renewal online on Sarathi. The state is on Sarathi's list of states with online services, and its state page, headed Transport Department, Government of West Bengal, offers renewal under Services on DL.
Open Sarathi and select West Bengal from the state list.
Under Driving Licence, choose Services on DL (Renewal/
Duplicate/ AEDL/ IDP/ Others) and follow the prompts for your licence. Fill in the renewal application.
Submit the application and note your application number.
If you need Form 1A, download the copy generated for your application and have a doctor attest it.
Upload the signed Form 1A to your renewal application.
Pay the renewal fee on Sarathi and follow progress through Application Status.
The West Bengal page also carries Upload Document, Fee Payments and Appointments menus, and the Appointments menu lists DL services Slot Booking.
Sarathi warns users to beware of fraudulent websites and apps and to use only the Ministry's official website and apps. Menu names can change, so go by the labels on screen.
Nationally, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notification S.O. 4353(E) of 16 September 2022 allows renewal of a driving licence that needs no test of competence to drive to be done online with voluntary Aadhaar authentication. An applicant without Aadhaar applies online and then visits the RTO to establish identity with documents.
Who handles licences in and around Kolkata
In Kolkata, driving licences are handled by the Public Vehicles Department (PVD) of the West Bengal Transport Department, which describes the PVD as essentially the Regional Transport Authority for Kolkata. Its page lists unit offices at Beltala, Kasba and Salt Lake, and shows a Behala unit as under construction.
| Area | Office or authority | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Public Vehicles Department (PVD) | The West Bengal Transport Department's PVD page lists driving licences among its functions |
| PVD unit offices | Beltala, Kasba and Salt Lake, with Behala shown as under construction | Named on the same PVD page of the West Bengal Transport Department |
| South 24 Parganas district | Regional Transport Officer, Alipore | The South 24 Parganas district website lists issuance and renewal of driving licences and International Driving Permits among the section's functions, and online application through the Sarathi portal among its citizen services |
Section 15 of the Motor Vehicles Act lets any licensing authority renew a driving licence issued under the Act, on an application made to it. For a new licence, Section 9(1) has allowed you since 2019 to apply to any licensing authority in the State. Check the West Bengal Transport Department's office details before any visit.
Renewal fees and deadlines in West Bengal
Under Rule 32 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, renewal costs ₹200 plus ₹200 for the smart card if you apply before expiry or within a year of it. West Bengal may show its own total or service charge on Sarathi, so check the figure before you pay.
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Renewal before expiry, or within one year after it | ₹200, plus ₹200 for the smart card |
| Renewal sought over a year after the licence expired | ₹300, and a further ₹1,000 for every year or part of a year |
| Test of competence to drive, where needed | ₹300 for each class of vehicle |
Deadlines under Section 15
Section 15 lets you renew without a driving test from one year before expiry until one year after it.
Up to one year before expiry:
the earliest point at which you can apply.
Once the licence expires:
the 30 day period during which an expired licence stayed valid was removed by the 2019 amendment.
Within one year after expiry:
renewal without a fresh driving test.
Later than that:
you must pass the test of competence to drive, or the licensing authority has to refuse renewal.
Mistakes that can delay a Form 1A
A Form 1A is valid for six months, and a printout of the digital copy is not accepted offline. Check this list before you submit.
More than six months old.
If your renewal has stalled, the certificate may have lapsed, and you will need a new one.
Wrong details on the form.
The doctor does not change the address, photo or any other detail, so check them before you order.
Wrong application number.
Copy it exactly from your Sarathi application.
A printout at the counter.
The digital copy works only when uploaded online, and a printout is not accepted offline.
Not uploaded.
On a West Bengal order from us, you attach the signed Form 1A to your Sarathi application yourself. A copy left in your email is not part of the application.
Renewal more than a year late.
A driving test will also be needed.
Hazardous goods licence.
The form adds reaction time, side vision and glare recovery checks for this licence, so see a doctor in person.
Official Form 1A PDF download
Parivahan hosts the blank Form 1A from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: download the official Form 1A PDF.
Read the blank to see what the doctor fills in. For the renewal itself, use the Form 1A generated for your application, since the rules require the certificate to be issued electronically on the portal.
Form 1, Form 1A and Form 2
Form 1 was the old self declaration of physical fitness. Form 1 was omitted from 1 April 2021, and the self declaration now sits in Form 2. Form 1A is the separate medical certificate, filled in by a registered medical practitioner appointed or authorised by the State Government.
Please read before you book
The doctor decides whether to issue Form 1A, your PVD or RTO decides whether to accept it, and the fee is non refundable.
- Issuing Form 1A is the doctor's decision.
- Your PVD or RTO decides on acceptance under its own rules. We make no promise that it will accept the certificate.
- Payment of ₹1,349 for the process is non refundable.
- We supply no printed or physically attested copies, and no green ink signatures.
- The doctor leaves the address, photo and other details on Form 1A as they are.
- Our online test is not a replacement for visiting a doctor.
- You can look up a doctor on the Indian Medical Register kept by the National Medical Commission, or on the Healthcare Professionals Registry. Compliance questions go to compliance@
medicalcertificate.in.
For licences elsewhere in the state, see our West Bengal Form 1A guide. For other states, start from our national Form 1A page.
Medically reviewed
Dr. Kirti Anurag, MBBS, MD
NMC Reg. No. 20977
Medical reviewer, MedicalCertificate.in
Last reviewed: October 2026
This page explains Form 1A and licence renewal for Kolkata drivers. It is not legal advice, so confirm current requirements on Sarathi or with the PVD or RTO handling your licence.
সারসংক্ষেপ (Bengali summary)
ফর্ম 1A হল ড্রাইভিং লাইসেন্সের মেডিক্যাল সার্টিফিকেট, যা রাজ্য সরকার কর্তৃক নিযুক্ত বা অনুমোদিত একজন নিবন্ধিত চিকিৎসক পূরণ করেন। ৪০ বছর বয়স হয়ে গেলে ব্যক্তিগত ড্রাইভিং লাইসেন্স নবীকরণের সময় এটি লাগে, আর ট্রান্সপোর্ট লাইসেন্সের ক্ষেত্রে যে কোনও বয়সে প্রতিটি নবীকরণে লাগে। সার্টিফিকেটটি জারি হওয়ার তারিখ থেকে ছয় মাস বৈধ থাকে, এবং ২০২১ সালের এপ্রিল থেকে এটি শুধু পোর্টালে ইলেকট্রনিকভাবে জারি করতে হয়। মেয়াদ শেষ হওয়ার এক বছরের বেশি পরে আবেদন করলে ড্রাইভিং টেস্টে পাস না করা পর্যন্ত লাইসেন্স নবীকরণ হবে না।
Frequently asked questions
Is Form 1A needed for driving licence renewal in Kolkata?
Yes, if you have turned 40 and are renewing a private licence, or if you are renewing a transport licence at any age. The requirement comes from Section 15 of the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rule 5. Below 40, a private licence renewal does not need Form 1A (Rule 18(1)(d)), unless you are applying for an adapted vehicle licence due to a physical disability.
How do I renew my driving licence in Kolkata?
Apply on Sarathi after choosing West Bengal, using the Services on DL option, which covers renewal, and save the application number. If you need Form 1A, download the copy generated for your application, have a doctor attest it and upload the signed version. Pay the renewal fee on Sarathi and follow the application status.
Can I renew a West Bengal driving licence online on Parivahan Sarathi?
Yes, you can apply online. West Bengal appears on the Sarathi state list at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, and its state page offers renewal under Services on DL. Under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notification S.O. 4353(E) of 16 September 2022, renewal that needs no driving test can use voluntary Aadhaar authentication; without Aadhaar, you visit the RTO to establish identity.
Will the PVD or RTO accept an online Form 1A?
We cannot promise that, because acceptance depends on the office's own rules. Central Motor Vehicles Rule 5(4) says Form 1A shall only be issued electronically on the portal, and you upload the signed digital copy to Sarathi. If you are called for physical verification, you need a physically attested Form 1A, which we do not provide.
My licence has expired. Can I still renew it in Kolkata?
Yes. Apply within one year of the expiry date and you can renew without a driving test. After that year, the licensing authority must refuse renewal unless you pass the test of competence to drive, and the central fee becomes ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year.
Who can sign Form 1A in West Bengal?
A registered medical practitioner appointed for the purpose by the State Government, or a person the State Government has authorised in this behalf. That is the wording printed on the official Form 1A. If your PVD or RTO names the doctors it accepts, use one of them.
For how long is a Form 1A certificate valid in Kolkata?
Six months from the day the doctor issues it. Notification G.S.R. 240(E) cut the validity from one year to six months from 1 April 2021, and the change applies across India, Kolkata included. If your renewal stalls past six months, you will need a fresh certificate.
Is Form 1A needed for a renewal below age 40?
No, not for a private licence renewal below 40 (Rule 18(1)(d)), unless you are applying for an adapted vehicle licence due to a physical disability. A transport licence, for a taxi, bus or goods vehicle, needs Form 1A at every renewal whatever your age, and so does adding a transport class. Once you have turned 40, every private licence renewal needs a new Form 1A.
Is Form 1A the medical fitness certificate for a West Bengal licence?
Yes. For a driving licence, the medical certificate the rules ask for is Form 1A, prescribed under Rule 5 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and used across India, West Bengal included. A general fitness certificate for a job or college is a different document, so ask the doctor for Form 1A by name.
What is the driving licence renewal fee in West Bengal?
Rule 32 of the central rules sets ₹200 for renewal and another ₹200 for the smart card licence. Renewing more than a year after expiry costs ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year, and a driving test is ₹300 per class. West Bengal may show its own total, so check Sarathi before paying.
Which office handles driving licences in Kolkata?
In Kolkata, driving licences are handled by the Public Vehicles Department (PVD) of the West Bengal Transport Department, which describes it as essentially the Regional Transport Authority for Kolkata. In South 24 Parganas, the district website lists the Regional Transport Officer at Alipore for issuing and renewing driving licences.
What do you charge for a Form 1A in Kolkata?
₹1,349 for the self test, which gets you a digital Form 1A by WhatsApp or email. Payment of ₹1,349 for the process is non refundable, so check that your renewal needs Form 1A before you pay. Allow up to 72 working hours* after you share your application number, the downloaded Form 1A PDF and complete the ear and eye self test. We work Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm IST. The renewal fee you pay on Sarathi is separate, and we do not issue printed or physically attested copies.
Start your Kolkata renewal
Open your renewal on Sarathi, save the Form 1A PDF, then book the self test with us for ₹1,349.