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How to Renew Your Driving Licence Online in India

You can renew your driving licence up to one year before it expires. The entire process takes about 15 minutes online through the Sarathi portal, with no driving test required.

May 26, 2026
5 min read

Quick Info

Renewal Fee

₹200 + ₹200 smart card

Apply Early

Up to 1 year before expiry

Grace Period

30 days after expiry

When to Renew

The validity of your driving licence depends on when it was issued and your age. Here is a quick reference:

Licence Type Valid For After Renewal
Private (non-transport) 20 years or till age 50 Every 5 years after age 40
Commercial (transport) 5 years Every 5 years, medical cert required
Renewed DL (age 50+) 5 years Medical cert required at each renewal

1 Year Before

Earliest you can apply for renewal. Recommended to avoid last-minute issues.

30-Day Grace

After expiry, you can still renew at the standard fee. But driving is illegal during this period.

After 1 Year

Heavy late fees apply. Some states may require a re-test. Beyond 5 years, you need a fresh DL.

Fees & Late Penalties

Renewal fees are set by MoRTH and may vary slightly by state. Here is the typical fee structure:

Scenario Fee
On-time renewal (before expiry or within 30-day grace) ~₹400 (₹200 renewal + ₹200 smart card)
After grace period (30 days to 1 year late) ~₹1,500 (₹300 + ₹1,000 late fee + ₹200 smart card)
More than 1 year late ₹1,000 per additional year + base fees

Driving with an expired licence is illegal, even during the 30-day grace period. If caught, the fine starts at ₹5,000 and your vehicle can be impounded. Your insurance may also be invalidated.

Documents Required

Keep scanned copies ready before starting the online application. The portal accepts JPEG, PNG, or PDF formats.

For All Applicants

Current driving licence (original)
Proof of address (Aadhaar, voter ID, or utility bill)
Passport-size photograph and signature scan
Form 1 (self-declaration of physical fitness)
Form 9 (application for DL renewal)

If Applicable

Medical certificate, Form 1A (if age 40+ or commercial vehicle)
Proof of age (if not on existing DL record)
NOC from original RTO (if renewing from a different state)

How to Renew Online

The renewal process is done through the Sarathi Parivahan portal. No driving test is required for a standard renewal.

1

Go to the Sarathi portal

Visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state from the dropdown.

2

Select "Services on DL"

Click on "Services on Driving Licence (Renewal/Duplicate/Others)" under the Driving Licence menu. Read the instructions and click Continue.

3

Enter your DL details

Type in your current driving licence number and date of birth. The system will fetch your existing DL details.

4

Select "Renewal" and fill the form

Choose "Renewal of Driving Licence" as the service. Verify your pre-filled details and update your address or mobile number if needed.

5

Upload documents

Upload your photograph, signature, address proof, and medical certificate (if applicable). Stick to the file size limits shown on the portal.

6

Pay the fee

Pay ₹200 to ₹400 (or more if late) via UPI, net banking, or card. Download the acknowledgement slip.

Tip: Some states may still require an RTO visit for biometric capture or photo update. The portal will inform you if this is needed after you submit the application.

After Renewal

Here is what happens once your renewal application is submitted:

1

Application processed

The RTO reviews your application and documents. This usually takes a few working days.

2

Smart card dispatched

Your renewed DL smart card is posted to your registered address, typically within 7 to 30 days.

3

Download digitally

Access your renewed DL via the Sarathi portal, DigiLocker, or the mParivahan app. All three are legally valid.

4

Track status

Use the "Application Status" option on the Sarathi portal with your reference number and date of birth.

If you applied on time (before expiry or within 30 days), the renewed DL is backdated to the exact expiry date of your old licence, so there is no gap in validity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a driving test for renewal?
No. A standard renewal does not require a driving test. However, if your licence has been expired for more than one year, some states may require you to take the test again.
Can I renew my DL from a different state?
Yes, but you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RTO that originally issued your licence. Some states allow this fully online, others may require an RTO visit.
Is a medical certificate mandatory for renewal?
Only if you are 40 years or older, or if you hold a commercial (transport) vehicle licence. In these cases, you need Form 1A signed by a registered medical practitioner.
What if my licence has been expired for over 5 years?
You will likely need to apply for a fresh driving licence from scratch, including getting a new Learner's Licence and passing both the LL test and the driving test again.

Ready to renew?

Head to the Sarathi portal to start your renewal. Keep your DL number and date of birth ready.

Visit Sarathi Portal Apply for New DL