Documents Required for Driving License
Getting this done efficiently
The difference between a 30-minute DLIMS visit and a 3-hour ordeal comes down to preparation. Booking online at dlims.punjab.gov.pk eliminates the walk-in queue — you arrive at your scheduled time and go directly to the counter. Bringing all documents in order (CNIC original, old license if applicable, photos if needed) means zero back-and-forth. Having the correct fee amount ready (some offices don't give change easily) prevents payment delays. These are small things, but they compound: prepared applicants finish in under an hour while unprepared ones often make multiple trips across multiple days.
If you're in Lahore, the DLIMS offices at Township and Multan Road are generally less crowded than the Liberty/Gulberg area. In Rawalpindi, the Saddar office processes faster than the satellite locations. Timing matters too — the first hour after opening (8-9 AM) and the last hour before token cutoff (1-2 PM) are the least crowded windows. Avoid the 10 AM - 12 PM rush when everyone who overslept arrives simultaneously.
You need: CNIC, 2 photos, medical certificate (eye test), learner permit (first-timers), and fee receipt. Govt employees need NOC.
Related: apply for license, renewal, documents needed.
Complete Document Checklist — All License Services
| Service | CNIC | Photos | Medical | Old License | FIR | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New license (learner) | ✓ Original | 2 passport | ✓ Eye test | — | — | Rs. 300-500 |
| New license (full) | ✓ Original | — | — | ✓ Learner permit | — | Rs. 600-1,500 |
| Renewal | ✓ Original | — | ✓ Eye test | ✓ Old license | — | Rs. 600-2,000 |
| Duplicate (lost) | ✓ Original | 2 passport | — | — | ✓ FIR copy | Rs. 500-1,000 |
| Duplicate (damaged) | ✓ Original | — | — | ✓ Damaged card | — | Rs. 500-1,000 |
| Category addition | ✓ Original | — | ✓ Medical (HTV/PSV) | ✓ Current license | — | Rs. 600-2,000 |
| International (IDP) | ✓ Original | 4 passport | — | ✓ Valid license | — | Rs. 2,500-5,000 |
Document Preparation Tips
CNIC must be valid. An expired CNIC blocks every license service at DLIMS. Check your CNIC expiry before heading to the office — if it's expired, renew at NADRA first (processing: 15-30 days). A Smart CNIC in "pending renewal" status may or may not be accepted depending on the office — don't risk it.
Photographs must be recent. Passport-size photos (35mm × 45mm) with white background, taken within the last 6 months. Studios near DLIMS offices charge Rs. 100-200 for 6 photos. Digital photos printed at home are usually not accepted — they must be professional studio prints on photo paper.
Medical certificate options: Either get the eye test done at the DLIMS office (available at most offices, free or Rs. 50-100) or bring a medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor (some services require a full medical, not just an eye test — particularly HTV and PSV category applications). If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them for the eye test — failing the vision test adds a return trip.
Apply for license: new license. Learner permit: learner guide. Renew: renewal. Lost license: duplicate. Category upgrade: upgrade guide. International: IDP application.
Government employees: Some services require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your department. Check with your HR whether an NOC is needed for license services in your specific department. Most private-sector employees do not need an NOC.
For documents required driving license, preparation is the difference between a quick visit and an all-day ordeal. DLIMS offices process appointments faster than walk-ins by a factor of 3-4x — a booked appointment typically finishes in 30-45 minutes while walk-in applicants report 2-3 hour waits during peak periods. Tuesday through Thursday mornings see the lightest traffic. Bring all documents organized in a folder with photocopies already made — the photocopy queue at DLIMS can add 30 minutes to your visit. If your CNIC expires within 3 months, renew it at NADRA first — an expiring CNIC can block your DLIMS application, costing you a wasted trip and another appointment booking cycle.
Always verify current requirements. Fees, timelines, and document requirements can change without advance notice. Check the relevant official website or call the office before your visit to confirm the latest requirements.