How to get a motorcycle driving licence in Bangladesh

Who can get a licence?

You must be at least 18 for a non-professional licence (21 for a professional one), have passed class 8 or equivalent, be physically and mentally fit, and pass the driving competence test (Act s.6). The licence is personal and cannot be transferred. BRTA says police verification is not currently needed.

Step by step

1. Make an account on the BRTA Service Portal (BSP) with your NID. Fill in your division, district and thana: the thana decides which BRTA circle office handles your licence.
2. Apply for a learner licence online. Upload a photo (up to 150 KB), a medical certificate from a registered doctor, your NID, your class 8 (or higher) certificate, and a utility bill if you live somewhere other than your NID address (each up to 600 KB). Pay the learner fee online.
3. Practise. The Act lets you ride on a learner licence where it applies (s.4); a learner licence carries no points (s.11).
4. On your test date, go in person with the learner licence and documents. BRTA takes your biometrics and checks your fingerprint against the NID server before you can sit the driving skills test.
5. The result comes within one working day, online and by SMS.
6. If you passed, upload a scan of the learner licence with the pass seal (and any attachment that was wrong the first time) and pay the smart card fee plus postage online, by mobile or online banking. BRTA does not take this fee at a bank counter.
7. Once approved, print the temporary authorisation slip from your BSP account, laminate it and carry it while riding until the smart card arrives by post.

Apply at bsp.brta.gov.bd. Professional licence applicants must also upload a dope test report.

How much does a motorcycle licence cost?

• Learner licence, one category (motorcycle only)৳518
• Learner licence, two categories (for example motorcycle and car)৳748
• Smart card, non-professional (valid 10 years)৳4,497
• Smart card, professional (valid 5 years)৳2,772
• Postage for the card৳60

For a motorcycle-only, non-professional licence that adds up to ৳5,075 in BRTA fees (learner, smart card and postage), if you pass the test first time. Payment gateway charges, the medical certificate and any driving school are extra.

What if you ride without a licence?

Up to ৳25,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both (Act s.66). Riding on an expired licence counts the same (s.4). Every full licence starts with 12 points, and most riding offences cut one (s.11): see motorcycle fines and points.