The short answer: Form 1 is a self-declaration of physical fitness that you fill in and sign yourself — no doctor required. It is prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 and is submitted when you apply for a learner's licence or a driving licence. You declare your personal details, then answer a short list of health questions about conditions that could affect safe driving. It is not the same document as Form 1A, which a doctor must sign.
What Form 1 Actually Is
Form 1 is the self-declaration of physical fitness prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. You complete it yourself, in your own words, and sign it. No doctor, hospital, or clinic is involved at any stage.
The purpose is straightforward: before the RTO issues you a licence, you formally state that you are not suffering from any condition that would make it unsafe for you to drive. Because it is a declaration rather than a medical examination, it carries legal weight — a false declaration is a serious matter, not a formality.
Form 1 and Form 1A are different documents. Form 1 is your own declaration. Form 1A is a medical certificate that a registered doctor examines you for and signs. Some applicants need one, some need both. See our Form 1 vs Form 1A guide to work out which applies to you.
Who Has to Submit Form 1
Form 1 is generally submitted by applicants for a learner's licence and by those applying for a driving licence in non-transport categories. The precise requirement is set by your state RTO and by the licence category you are applying for, so the authoritative source is always the Parivahan Sarathi portal for your state.
Broadly, the pattern across most states is:
| Applicant | Form 1 (self-declaration) | Form 1A (doctor-signed) |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's licence, under 40 | Usually required | Usually not required |
| Learner's licence, 40 and above | Usually required | Commonly required |
| Private LMV licence, under 40 | Usually required | Usually not required |
| Private LMV renewal, 40 and above | Usually required | Required |
| Transport / commercial licence | Usually required | Required at every renewal |
Because states differ, treat the table as a guide and confirm against the checklist your RTO shows during the online application.
How to Download Form 1
You have three reliable options, in order of convenience:
- From the Parivahan Sarathi portal. During an online licence application, the portal links the required forms directly. This is the safest source because it always serves the current version.
- From your state transport department website. Most state RTO sites host a downloadable forms section.
- At the RTO counter. Blank copies are available free at the office itself.
Download the form as a PDF, print it on plain A4, and fill it in by hand in black or blue ink unless your RTO explicitly accepts a typed copy.
Filling Form 1 — Field by Field
The form is short. Work through it in order and do not leave anything blank.
1. Personal details
Enter your full name exactly as it appears on the identity document you are submitting with the application — the same spelling, the same order, no initials if the document spells the name out. A mismatch here is the single most common reason an application is sent back.
2. Son / daughter / wife of
Enter the relation's name as recorded on your identity or address proof. Again, match the supporting document exactly.
3. Address
Use the address on the proof you are submitting. If your permanent and current addresses differ, use the one your address proof supports — the RTO verifies against the document, not against where you actually live.
4. Date of birth
Copy it from your age proof. This field determines whether you also need Form 1A, so an error here can change what the RTO asks you for.
5. The health declarations
This is the substance of the form. You are asked to declare whether you suffer from conditions that would affect your ability to drive safely. These cover areas such as vision, hearing, epilepsy or sudden loss of consciousness, and any physical impairment affecting limb function.
Answer each one honestly. A condition that is controlled, corrected, or managed does not automatically disqualify you — corrected vision through spectacles or lenses, for example, is normal and expected. What causes problems is a declaration that later turns out to be false.
6. Signature and date
Sign in the same style as the signature on your supporting documents, and date the form the day you submit it. An undated or unsigned form is invalid.
Do not sign a blank form. Complete every field first, read the declaration text above the signature line, and only then sign. You are certifying the accuracy of what is written.
How to Upload Form 1 on Parivahan
Once the form is filled and signed, most states require you to upload a scan as part of the online application:
- Sign in to the Parivahan Sarathi portal and open your licence application.
- Go to the document upload step for your application number.
- Select the self-declaration / Form 1 document type from the list.
- Upload a clear scan or photograph of the completed, signed form.
- Check the preview before confirming — an unreadable upload is rejected at verification.
File size and format limits are set per state and are shown on the upload screen. A flatbed scan at 200–300 DPI comfortably meets most requirements; a phone photo works if the whole page is in frame, in focus, and evenly lit.
Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Name spelled differently from the supporting identity document.
- Blank fields. Every question needs an answer; write "No" rather than leaving a gap.
- Missing signature or date — an invalid form, not an incomplete one.
- A cropped or blurred upload where part of the page is cut off.
- Submitting Form 1 when the RTO asked for Form 1A, which needs a doctor.
- Overwriting or using correction fluid. If you make an error, start with a fresh printout.
What Happens After You Submit
The RTO verifies your declaration against your supporting documents at the verification stage. If everything matches, the application proceeds to the next step — the learner's test, the driving test, or direct issue, depending on what you applied for.
If your application also requires Form 1A, the RTO will not proceed on the self-declaration alone. That certificate has to come from a registered medical practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form 1 the same as Form 1A?
No. Form 1 is a self-declaration of physical fitness that you fill in and sign yourself. Form 1A is a medical certificate that a registered doctor completes and signs after examining you. They are separate documents with separate purposes.
Do I need a doctor to sign Form 1?
No. Form 1 is entirely self-declared. No doctor, clinic, or hospital signature is needed. If someone is asking you to get Form 1 signed by a doctor, they are most likely referring to Form 1A.
Can Form 1 be typed instead of handwritten?
Practice varies by state. Many RTOs accept a typed form provided it is printed and signed by hand. Others prefer it handwritten. Check the instruction shown on your state RTO application checklist before printing.
Where do I download Form 1 from?
The Parivahan Sarathi portal links the current version during the online application, and most state transport department websites host it in their downloadable forms section. Blank copies are also available free at the RTO counter.
Is Form 1 required for a learner’s licence?
In most states, yes — the self-declaration is submitted with the learner’s licence application. The exact requirement is set by your state RTO and shown on the application checklist in Sarathi.
What happens if I make a mistake on Form 1?
Do not use correction fluid or overwrite the entry. Print a fresh copy and fill it in again. An amended or visibly corrected form is commonly rejected at verification.