In recent years, Punjab has witnessed a significant rise in the number of vehicles and traffic congestion. In fact, in 2021, there were 5.16 Lakh registered vehicles in the state, with a 0.22% annual increase growth rate. Thus, the authorities enforce strict traffic regulations like DL and pollution paper checks in every major roadway and intersection. 

Moreover, India’s Motor Vehicles Act 1988 states that a valid driving licence is mandatory to ride legally on Indian roads. However, a DL comes with limited validity, and you need to renew the same if it expires. 

In this guide, we will share information on the renewal of a driving licence in Punjab, the documents required, and more.

For non-transport vehicles, a driving licence in Punjab remains valid for 20 years or till the holder attains the age of 40 years. Post this, the licence is renewable for 10 years and 5 years subsequently. 

Additionally, the licence for a transport vehicle is valid for 3 years from the date of issue or renewal.

All driving licence holders in Punjab get a 30-day grace period after the expiry date to apply for DL renewal. Renewal requests within this time do not attract any additional charges.

In case you file your DL renewal request after the 30-day grace period, the renewal charges rise to ₹300. For additional delays, penalties at the rate of ₹1,000 per year will be levied. 

Moreover, if you do not renew your DL within 5 years from the grace period expiry date, you need to apply for a new driving licence. To do so, you need to reappear for a driving test and pay the requisite fees.

Online method is the quickest procedure for a renewal of driving licence in Punjab from the safety of your home. You can renew your DL from anywhere over the internet. Mentioned below are some of the steps to follow to renew your driving licence online in Punjab.

• Step 1: Log on to the official RTO website and choose ‘Online Services’ from the main menu.

• Step 2: Now, click on ‘Driving Licence Related Services’. In the next window, choose ‘Punjab’ from the dropdown list for “State”.

• Step 3: Next, choose ‘Apply for DL Renewal’. After that, an instruction page will open along with an option to download Form 1A. Download the form and hit ‘Continue’.

• Step 4: Now, you will need to fill in DL No. and DOB and click on ‘Proceed’. After that, fill in the ‘Category of the Driving Licence Holder’, ‘State’, ‘RTO or Pin.’

• Step 5: Now click ‘Proceed’ to ‘Confirm’ your details and select ‘DL Renewal’ to generate acknowledgement. Finally, get a print of the same.

In case your driving licence in Punjab expires, check the offline process to renew the same. 

• First, visit your nearest RTO and collect Form 9 or the licence renewal application form.
• Fill your form correctly as per the details mentioned on the documents.
• Keep the following documents ready with you -
  • Copies of original DL
  • Form 1A or Form 1
  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • Age proofs and address id proofs
• Submit all these documents along with Form 9.
• Finally, pay a fee for renewal of driving licence in Punjab. You need to pay ₹ 50 for renewal and ₹ 200 for DL in Form 7 at the RTO.

Following are the documents required for renewal of driving licence in Punjab as mentioned below -

• Copies of original driving licence
• Application Form, i.e. Form 9
• Form 1A (for Transport Vehicle owners) or Form 1 (for Non-Transport vehicles only)
• Age proofs and address id proofs like – Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.

After applying for the DL renewal, you can check the status through the following steps.

• Step 1: First, visit the official Parivahan Sewa portal. Select ‘Online Services’ from the top menu. After that, choose ‘Driving Licence Related Services’.

• Step 2: A window will open, where it is necessary to choose ‘State’. Select Punjab from the dropdown.

• Step 3: After that, select ‘Application Status’ from the right end corner of the top menu.

• Step 4: Finally, fill in ‘Application Number’, ‘DOB’, ‘Captcha’, and ‘Submit’.

The platform will show your driving licence renewal status.

• In case your licence expires, a grace period of 30 days is granted.
• Keep all documents handy while renewing.
• Make sure to fill in all details carefully as per your documents.
• In case you are above 40 or have any medical condition, submitting Form 1A is mandatory.   

By now, we have shared all the details about the Punjab DL renewal process. Renewing your DL is extremely important as it further allows you to ride your vehicle on Indian roads after its expiry. So, you can check the above details on the renewal of driving licence in Punjab from here.