When it comes to driving from one place to another, having a driving license is not just a privilege but a necessity. But when it makes that transition time-consuming, the journey becomes downright painful. Unfortunately, it has been a regular scenario in Bangladesh. However, thanks to the Smart Card Driving Licence, the possibilities in the road transport sector are beginning to unfold. This is going to be a signature service of BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority). Let’s discuss the steps to get a BRTA Smart Card Driving License hassle-free.

What is the BRTA Smart Card Driving License?

The BRTA's Smart Card Driving License streamlines the license acquisition process, storing driver information and expediting police verification.

Previously, applicants needed to apply separately for learner and smart card licenses through BSP (BRTA Service Portal). Later on November 16, 2022, a merged online form was launched, simplifying this. It, even, comes with some new benefits.

New Benefits of BRTA Smart Card Driving License

- Single visit to the examination center for biometric, written, oral, and practical tests.
- BSP portal registrants receive a learner license with an online QR code for temporary nationwide driving.
- Services also include fee payment, exam results, application submission, and status tracking.
- Smart card licenses are sent by post.

Read more: Smart NID Card in Bangladesh: Online Application Process, Documents Needed, Fees

Prerequisites for BRTA Smart Card Driving License

It includes mental and physical qualifications, education up to at least class 8, and minimum ages of 21 for professional and 18 for non-professional drivers. Importantly, passing the learner’s test is mandatory to apply for a smart card license.

How to Apply for the BRTA Smart Card E-Driving License

Required Documents

Most documents needed for a learner’s driving license application also apply here, including:
- Recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant (300/300 pixels)
- Medical certificate from a registered doctor.

Applicant's NID

- One utility bill (gas/electricity/water) if the current address differs from the NID
- Certificate of educational qualification
- Proof of passing learner’s driving license test
- Refer to the provided links for police investigation reports, where applicable.

http://www.brta.gov.bd/site/page/511a7af4-20c8-4450-b4a6-5f92dde1b23f/-

http://www.brta.gov.bd/site/page/4258fc8f-8aec-4895-b11d-a0b33b489af2/-

Please ensure that all documents are scanned and prepared before applying online. The scanned passport-sized photo file should not exceed 150 KB (kilobyte), while other files should stay within 600 KB.

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Online Application Process

To apply online, visit the BSP portal at https://bsp.brta.gov.bd/. Begin by creating an account on the portal through registration, which will store all the driving-related information. Let's proceed step by step through the application process.

Registration

- Click on the 'Registration' menu at the top right of the BSP portal.
- Complete the registration by providing the date of birth, NID, and mobile number.
- Verify the mobile number through the OTP (one-time-password) sent to it.
- Finish the registration by setting a password.

Access the BSP portal using the mobile number and password. Those who have already registered can enter their accounts directly by clicking on the 'Login' menu on the site.

Application for Learner’s Driving License

- After logging in, the user will encounter their customer dashboard. On the left-hand side, they should navigate to the 'Driving Licence' sub-menu and select 'Application for Driving Licence.'
- The next page displays the required documents. Download the Medical Certificate form via the 'Click Here' link.
- Obtain a medical certificate from a registered doctor or medical officer based on this form.
- Follow the terms on the page and click 'I agree' to proceed to the next step.

Read more: Where to Learn Car Driving in Dhaka?

NID Information

This step initializes the 5-step driving license application process. The NID number will auto-fill, considering it was provided earlier. Click 'Next' to proceed to the 2nd step.

Driving License Information

- Choose the driving license language, type, class of motor vehicle, and type of applicant (Learner and Smart Driving License).
- Click 'Next,' and a popup message confirms the successful saving of information. Click 'OK' to proceed.

Basic Applicant Information

- Some information will be pre-populated based on the NID. Additional data needs to be input.
- Complete mandatory fields, including educational qualification, blood group, occupation, marital status, nationality, and dual citizenship. Click 'Next,' then 'OK' as before.

Address and Contact Information

- Provide emergency contact details, including both permanent and current addresses.
- If the current address remains unaltered, input it in English, mirroring the left-side display.
- If the current address differs, click 'No' and input the changed address in both Bengali (left side) and English (right side). Click 'Next' and 'OK' as before to proceed.

Read more: Bangladesh e-Passport Information Update: Step by Step Procedure, Related Costs

Attachment and Smart Card Distribution Information

- Attach scanned copies of the required documents collected earlier. Click 'Choose File' to upload and 'Save' to attach. Use the 'View' button to preview attachments.
- The address for smart card delivery via post is auto-filled. Alternatively, select 'Others' to specify a different address, providing full details.
- Click 'Submit' to verify the information one last time. Make any necessary changes or confirm if all is accurate. If everything is correct, click 'Fees Deposit.'

Fee Deposit

- Note that only the learner's driving license application fee is required here.
- Click 'Submit Fee,' proceed to the 'Payment Confirmation' page, and provide payment details, including the method and mobile number.
- Confirm the payment by ticking the box next to the payment terms and clicking 'Confirm.'
- The page will display the successful fee deposit, and the user can print the learner's driving license or the payment receipt.

Application for Smart Card Driving License

Prior to applying online for the smart card driving license, the individual must successfully pass the driving proficiency test. Check the test result by accessing the 'Application for Driving License' menu on the customer dashboard within the BSP portal. The test result will also be conveyed to the mobile number provided during the application.

Read more: Bangladesh E-passport Error Correction Process

Attach Required Documents

- Click 'View & Next Step' to access the attachment page, where documents attached during the learner driving license application will be pre-loaded.
- Upload the 'Pass Learner' certificate and proof of passing the driving proficiency test. Additionally, attach any other required documents where applicable.

Payment of Fees

- To pay the fee through a bank, click 'Deposit fee through the bank.' For online payment, choose 'Deposit the driving license fee online.'
- For online payment, click 'Pay Now' on the online payment page.
- For bank payments, collect the e-tracking number from the bank's receipt and enter it in the 'Enter e-tracking number' box. Click 'Verify e-tracking number' to confirm payment details.
- Review all payment information and click 'Submit' to complete the final payment of the fee.

E-Paper Driving License

Upon successful application submission for the smart card driving license, the e-paper license form will be displayed on the dashboard once approved by BRTA. Download and print it for use as a valid driving license until the physical smart card arrives. The dashboard will also display the latest license status.

Read more: Highway Robbery Prevention Tips while Driving at Night

Getting the Smart Card Driving License in Hand

Once the entire smart card driving license preparation process is finished, it will be displayed on the dashboard. The smart card driving license will then be sent by post to the address specified in your application.

BRTA Smart Card Driving License Fees

Learner driving license fees are to be paid exclusively through the BSP portal. The fee for one motor vehicle is BDT 518, while for two motor vehicles, it is BDT 748. For a 10-year non-professional license during the smart card driving license application, the cost is BDT 4,557. The 5-year professional license costs BDT 2,832.

Summing Up

There are actually two main phases, summarizing the methods for obtaining a BRTA Smart Card Driving License described above. The first phase precedes the driving skills test, primarily dealing with the procedure for acquiring a learner's driving license. The second phase of obtaining BRTA e-driving license emphasizes the digitization aspects associated with its transformation into smart cards.

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