Driving License Renewal

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Driving License Renewal

One of the momentous milestones in life is when you get your very own Driver’s License. The euphoria of freedom to drive around your own vehicle and go wherever you wish to is definitely a joy to thrive on. Though you might grow out of this or even take it for granted in time, the difficulties in procuring one is not easily forgotten. Having a license alone is not enough- there is also the matter of timely renewal of said driving license. These renewals are devised to ensure that your eligibility to keep on driving isn’t hampered by advancing age or any other foreseen/unexpected conditions. Just because one was fit enough to acquire a license 20 years ago, need not mean he/ she is fit now. And yes, driving around with an expired license is as good as doing the same without one, and may be a potential problem for you, other drivers and pedestrians. Hence the license needs to be renewed after a stipulated term.

Driving Licence Renewal

Why should you renew your driving license?

As per the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for drivers of any vehicle to hold a valid driving license to drive a vehicle on the road. A Driving license is an official document issued by the government, which authorises an individual to drive a category of vehicle for which he holds a license. This document is also acknowledged as a valid identity proof.It is a must to renew your DL after its expiry because as per the law nobody in India can drive any vehicle without a valid DL. As per Section 177 of the Motor Act, 1988, if a person is driving a vehicle without a valid DL (i.e an expired DL), is a punishable offence by law. Violators of the same are liable to be fined.

An expired driving license is valid only for a month (i.e 30 days) post expiration and can needs to be renewed within that grace period. If your driving license has expired more than 30 days ago, you can renew the same by paying a penalty. This holds true if only the application requesting a renewed DL is made within a time span of five years from the date of expiry. If the license has been initially obtained from another state, then the applicant should furnish a No Objection Certificate (N.O.C.) and confirmation of driving license issued by the original licensing authority.

Where do I file an application to renew my DL?

Duly filled application form with the set of required documents to renew your DL needs to be submitted to Assistant R.T.O. at the Driving License Branch in your state. Your DL will be renewed for 5 years if it is for a Non-Transport Vehicle, and for 3 years if it being renewed for a transport vehicles. One can get the renewed driving license on the same evening, that is if the license is procured in the same office. It needs a period of 20 days after the application has been submitted, if the case is any different from the one mentioned above. The latter takes longer as it involves a process of verification and correspondence.

Driving License Renewal Form:

As the name implies, a Driving License Renewal Form is utilised as the KYC document when the concerned vehicle owner is looking to update/renew his/her license, and the Road Transport Office (RTO) needs to understand the specifics of the current license. This simple document can be easily downloaded from the concerned RTO’s website, or can be picked up as a physical copy from the local RTO office.

Form 9- Form of Application for the Renewal of the Driving License is a simple document involving a small number of informational queries. Of course, a large part of this communication concerns the applicant’s current DL with space for appropriate authenticators and signatures. The completion of this form must be followed up with the attachment of the requisite documents (see next section) before the procedures of the renewal of driving license can be put into action.

Click here to download Driving License Renewal Form

 

Documentation Required to Renew Driving License:

A list of valid documents are required to renew your driving license. They have been listed below :

  • Duly filled DL renewal application form. This can be downloaded you’re your state’s RTO/RTA portal.
  • Applicant’s medical certificate is a must. The form for the same can be downloaded via your state’s RTO/RTA portal. Please note that this form has to be filled out by a licensed physician
  • Valid permanent driving license
  • Proof of age. This can be substantiated by any of valid government issued document like PAN card, passport, voter ID card, etc.
  • Address proof/proof of residence : passport, driving license, electricity bill, phone bill, lease agreement, etc.
  • Passport size photographs of the applicant. Please note that the number of this differs from one state to another.
  • If the permanent license holder has changed his address from one place to another, the same must be registered within 1 month at the RTO/RTA at which the initial and original license was issued, or at the nearest regional office.
  • If the permanent DL holder has moved to another state, then the aforementioned rule applies here too. In addition to that, a license holder from another state has to submit a NOC (no objection certificate) which needs to be issued by the RTO/RTA at which the original license had been issued.

Fees

Please note, that as driving license is a document which is issued by the RTO (regional transport office), the fees of it are likely to vary from state to state. Though the difference in the amount is not a lot, there is a difference on a smaller scale. Please refer to your respective state’s RTO office or portal to get a complete clarity on the fee charged in your state.

OLD Fee for DL Renewal – Rs. 50

*Revised fee for Driving License Renewal in January – 2017 – Rs. 200

News About Driving License Renewal

Aadhaar will be made mandatory for DL application and renewal

The Central Government has issued an order to make Aadhaar mandatory for the application and renewal of Driving License (DL). There are many individuals in India who have more than one DL. This has happened in instances where the individual has applied and obtained licenses from different states. By making Aadhaar mandatory for the application and renewal process, the government can ensure equal law enforcement for all the citizens. Until now, if an individual’s DL was suspended, he/she will use the other DL. However, starting October 2017, Aadhaar will be mandatory for the application of a new license as well for the renewal of existing license. This initiative will help the government in improving the administrative efficiency with regard to RTO rules and regulations. Aadhaar uniquely identifies an individual that can be validated through a biometric scan. This superior authentication system makes Aadhaar an ideal tool for avoiding identity thefts.

         

12 April 2017

No License Driving Increases in India

Around 94,000 cases were booked by the traffic police against autorickshaw drivers in 2016. Out of this figure, 6000 were cases related to the lack of a Driving License. Apart from autorickshaw drivers, drivers of other kinds of motor vehicles like four wheelers and two wheelers were also booked for not possessing a valid driving license. The records show that 40% of the individuals who were booked for various kinds of traffic violations were related to driving without licenses. The report also revealed that most of the traffic violators were youngsters who were aged between 18 and 24 years. The Road Transport Authority and the Traffic Police conducted a survey according to which most of the students and youngsters who drove four wheelers and two wheelers did so without a license, thereby leading to an increase in the traffic violations in the country.

 

 

21 February 2017

Transport Department of Mohali Opts for a Test Prior to Renewing Driving License

License holders might soon have to pass a test even if they just wish to renew their licenses. With the idea of curbing traffic accidents, the Transport Department of Punjab of Punjab has sought opinion to make necessary amendments in the Punjab Motor Vehicle Act. Although this proposal is meant for the entire state, it will first be implemented in Mohali.

The process for issuing driving license is automatic and therefore every applicant who wishes to renew his/her license will have to undergo a test at these automated facilities to procure the renewed license. These applicants will also have to pass the test by driving without committing mistakes and will be monitored through CCTV cameras. With this amendment, Punjab will be the first state that will conduct test for renewal of license as well. In case individuals fail the test, their license will be cancelled and will have to follow the procedure to apply for a new license.

 

 

3 August 2016

In Lucknow, Renew Your Driving License Online

Motorists in Lucknow will no longer have to visit the Regional Transport Office to renew their licenses, make their green tax payments or registering their vehicle. The Lucknow RTO is making all these services available online.

As per a notification released by the office, over 12 services will be available online such as obtaining a fitness certificate for their vehicle, renewal of registration, seeking a permit and cancelling a permit.

As of now, mobile phones will be used to authenticate identities of those applying online. An OTP (One Time Password) will be sent to the applicant’s mobile phone to avail the online services.

Officials from the RTO have stated that certain transactions like transfer of ownership would require the individuals to visit the RTO to avoid fraudulent or unauthorised transfers.

 

 

27 July 2016

 

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