Currently, India is the most populated country in the world. Thus, a massive number of private and commercial vehicles ply its roads daily, making it essential for the authorities to impose strict regulations for driving licence checks and their validity.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, every citizen of India who owns and rides a vehicle on a public road in any part of India must hold a valid driving licence. Thus, if your DL is near its expiry date, it’s essential that you get it renewed. Wondering how the process works? Stay tuned, and you will get all the answers!

Here are some of the reasons why timely renewal of your driving licence is crucial:

• Serves as a Legal Document

A driving licence (DL) is a legal document that allows vehicle owners to drive their vehicles freely and legally on public roads. The Motor Vehicle Act 1988 made it mandatory for every vehicle owner to hold a valid DL.

Further, Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 states that no motor vehicle owner can drive their vehicle without a valid driving licence. Violating this rule is a punishable offence, which can incur a fine of ₹500 or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

• Signifies Acquaintance With Traffic Rules

The DL is a particularly important document as it specifies that all motor vehicle owners are well acquainted with the traffic rules and signals. It is because they get the document after successfully passing the driving test.

• Required During Insurance Claims

A driver's licence is also essential because, in case an accident occurs, vehicle owners can claim insurance for the damages. If individuals drive with an expired driving licence, they cannot settle a claim with the insurance company for the damages.

Thus, you must always have a valid driving licence when driving on public roads. Additionally, if your DL is nearing expiry, you should promptly apply for a renewal. 

In India, the validity period for a private driving licence is 20 years from its date of issue or till the holder turns 40. After this, the licence will be reissued for 10 years and 5 years thereafter.   

This validity period is applicable in all states and Union Territories across the country.

In India, you get a 30-day grace period for renewing your driving licence. After this time period, you need to pay a nominal fee of ₹300. 

Moreover, a penalty of ₹1,000 will be chargeable annually from the grace period’s expiry date.

If you do not renew your licence within the 30-day grace period, you will be fined ₹300. If you do not apply for DL renewal within 5 years of the grace period’s expiry date, you will need to appear for a driving test and pay the requisite fine. 

Furthermore, if your driving licence has expired for more than five years, you need to apply for a new one.

Here is a step-by-step process of Indian Driving Licence renewal online.

• Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa and click on ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ under ‘Online Services’.

• Next, select the state from where you wish to take the service or a licence to be issued.

• On the redirected page, Select ‘Apply for DL renewal’ from multiple services related to driving licence.

• Now, you will see a new webpage where you will find all the instructions related to application submission. Click on ‘Continue’.

• Enter your DL number, date of birth, and captcha. Click on ‘Proceed’.

• In this stage of renewal of DL online, you have to upload the essential documents, along with a photo and a digitised signature. Please note, this step is applicable to specific websites.
• Complete the payment process and verify payment status.

After successfully completing these steps, applicants can view their application ID on an ‘Acknowledgement Page’ . They can use it for future reference.  Also, applicants will get an SMS on their registered mobile number with all details.

In case you find it difficult to renew driving licence online, you can complete this process offline.

Vehicle owners can renew a driving licence by visiting their local RTO or Regional Transport Office.

Here are the steps for offline RTO driving licence renewal:

• Visit your local RTO.  Submit all the documents and NOC or No Objection Certificate if you are applying for renewal of driving licence from another state.
• Provide driving licence details along with a photograph.
• Complete the payment procedure. If the medical certificate changes, vehicle owners may have to book a test slot.
• Lastly, take the exam and get a driving licence after successfully passing it.

The licence renewal process includes submitting certain documents, so it is imperative to know about it in detail.

If vehicle owners apply for renewal of driving licence within the grace period, meaning within 30 days after the expiry, they have to pay the nominal fee of ₹200.

However, if you renew your driving licence after expiry date, i.e. after the grace period, vehicle owners have to pay ₹1000 as a fine and other applicable fees.

Please note these fees can vary from one state to state.

The documents required for the offline or online licence renewal process is segregated as per the vehicle type.

One must submit the following documents to renew a private or non-transport driving licence -

• Form 9, which is the application form for Indian driving licence renewal. This form is available at the local RTO or can be downloaded online.
• Expired driving licence
• Address proof
• Age proof
• Passport-size photographs
• Form 1 for declaring medical fitness. You can download this form online or collect it from the local RTO.

• Form 1A as a medical certificate if you are aged 40 years or more 

If you have a commercial vehicle, you must submit the documents listed below for the renewal of driving licence -

• Form 9. This form is available at the local RTO. You can also download it online.
• Address proof
• Age proof
• Expired driving licence
• Form 1 and 1A for declaring medical fitness. Individuals can download this form online or collect it from their local RTO.
• Form 1A as a medical certificate if you are aged 40 years or more
• Passport-size photographs
• Driver refreshing certificate for heavy motor vehicles.

Also, vehicle owners must know the driving licence renewal fees to complete the application process.

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa and go to the ‘Online Services’ tab. Click on ‘“Driving Licence Related Services”.

• Step 2: As the page loads, choose your state.

• Step 3: Click on “Application Status” in the upper-right corner of the screen.

• Step 4: Enter the required information and click on “Submit”.

During offline/online applications for renewal of driving licence, vehicle owners must follow certain guidelines to complete the process hassle-freely. Read along!

• Keep all essential documents (scanned copy in case of online application) handy.
• Book a slot as per your convenience.
• Make sure you have a fast internet connection.
• Cautiously enter details while completing the payment process.
• Provide a valid mobile number.
• Since some states are thinking about going completely online, vehicle owners must know the rules of their respective states.

Now that vehicle owners know everything about the renewal of driving licence in India, i.e., guidelines, application process, fees; they can easily apply for the same as per their suitability. However, be careful with the state-specific norms and drive freely on Indian roads with a renewed driving licence.