US: varies by state (~14–16); India LL: 16 (two-wheeler) / 18 (LMV).

Drive alone on a permit?

No — supervised practice only; solo driving comes at later stages / the permanent DL.

India: renew a learner's licence?

No — apply fresh; convert to a permanent DL after 30 days.

Learner's Permit / Learner's Licence (US + India)

The first stage of driving: US learner's permit authorizes supervised practice under the graduated-licensing (GDL) system; India's Learner's Licence (LL) is the pre-permanent-DL stage via Parivahan.

Do it on the official site

US: applicant's state DMV. India: state RTO via sarathi.parivahan.gov.in

Fees: US replacement examples: CT $19, NY $17.50, VA $2 [confirmed]; original fee state-specific. India LL ₹150 + test ₹50 [statutory CMVR — inferred]
Processing time: US permit often same-day after passing in office; India LL usually same day after the online test
How long it lasts: US per state (commonly 1–2 yrs); India LL fixed 6 months

What to know first

US minimum age varies by state (~14–16; CA 15½, GA 15, NJ 16); requires a written knowledge test; practice-only (must drive supervised).
US GDL progresses permit → intermediate/provisional → full, with night/passenger limits.
India LL: applied online via Parivahan/Sarathi, valid 6 months, min age 16 (geared two-wheeler) / 18 (LMV); a permanent DL test is allowed after a 30-day gap.
A learner's licence cannot be renewed — apply fresh if it expires (India).

How to do it

1US obtain: confirm state age; complete driver-ed where required; bring ID/residency docs + parent signatures (minors); pay fee; pass vision + written test.
2US replace (lost): duplicate via DMV (online/mail/in-person), pay fee.
3India: Sarathi → Apply for Learner Licence (Form 2) → upload proofs → pay → pass the online test → LL issued; convert to permanent DL after 30 days.

What you need to bring

Proof of identity/birth certificate; proof of legal presence/residency; DL application (US CA DL 44); parent signatures for minors; driver-ed certificate where required; fee. India: POI/POA + photo/signature + Form 2

In person

Nearest DMV / driver-licensing office (US) · RTO (India)

Questions people ask

How old to get one?: US: varies by state (~14–16); India LL: 16 (two-wheeler) / 18 (LMV).
Drive alone on a permit?: No — supervised practice only; solo driving comes at later stages / the permanent DL.
India: renew a learner's licence?: No — apply fresh; convert to a permanent DL after 30 days.

Documents that travel with it

Sources

nhtsa.gov GDL; dmv.ca.gov permits; sarathi.parivahan.gov.in (accessed 2026-06-27)