Driving licence validity checker
Driving licence renewal is one of the services you can do online on the Sarathi portal, and in many states it is available as a faceless service with Aadhaar authentication. You can renew drivers licence online from one year before the expiry date up to one year after it. Renewing within that window is simple; waiting longer means a late fee and a fresh driving test.
The validity checker at the top of this page works out your expiry date and renewal window from your date of birth, the date of issue or last renewal, and whether the licence is private or transport. Below, we explain the rules behind it, the documents and fees, and what to do if your licence has already expired. This site is an independent guide; the renewal itself happens on the official Sarathi site.
Driving licence validity in India
Validity depends on the type of licence and your age when it was issued or last renewed. These periods come from Section 14 of the Motor Vehicles Act, as amended in 2019.
| Licence type and age at issue or renewal | Valid for |
|---|---|
| Non-transport (private), under 30 | Until you turn 40 |
| Non-transport, 30 to under 50 | 10 years |
| Non-transport, 50 to under 55 | Until you turn 60 |
| Non-transport, 55 or older | 5 years |
| Transport (commercial) vehicle | 5 years (it was 3 years before 2019) |
| Hazardous goods authorisation | 3 years, renewal subject to conditions set by the Central Government |
NT and TR are short for non-transport and transport. A private car or two wheeler licence is non-transport; a licence to drive commercial vehicles is transport. See LMV driving licence classes for more.
Some state pages still show the old rule (20 years or until age 50, whichever is earlier, then 5 years, and 3 years for transport). That rule was replaced by the 2019 amendment.
When can you renew a driving licence?
Section 15, as amended in 2019, lets you apply for renewal either one year before the expiry date or within one year after it. Before this change the window was 30 days. The wider window has been in force since 1 September 2019, and a 2021 notification (S.O. 1433(E) of 31 March 2021) restates it as one year before to one year after expiry.
Since 1 April 2021 you can apply to any licensing authority in your state, not only the one that issued your licence. That helps if you have moved to another city in the same state. If you have moved state, you may also want to change address on driving licence records.
How to renew driving licence online on Sarathi
The exact screens vary a little by state. This is the flow for services on an existing DL as described by the Uttarakhand Transport Department, which applies on the national Sarathi portal.
- Open Sarathi and select your state. Use the official button on this page. Every service starts with choosing the state.
- Fetch your licence. Enter your DL number, date of birth and the captcha to bring up your details.
- Confirm details and verify OTP. Check the details, update them if the form allows, and verify with the OTP sent to your mobile.
- Select renewal. Choose the renewal service from the list of services on your DL.
- Upload documents. Upload Form 1 or Form 1A as applicable, plus any document the portal asks for.
- Pay online. Pay the fee shown on the payment page and save the receipt.
- Book a slot only if asked. A slot is needed only when the service requires a test, for example renewal more than one year after expiry.
Renewal of a DL that does not need a test of competence was among the first Aadhaar-based contactless services notified in March 2021. In Maharashtra, faceless renewal started on 2 June 2022 with no additional fees, and the new card is sent by speed post.
Documents required for DL renewal
| Document | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Your existing driving licence | Everyone |
| Form 2 (application) | Everyone |
| Form 1, self-declaration of physical fitness | Non-transport licence holders |
| Form 1A, medical certificate | Transport licence holders, and anyone aged 40 or older |
Since 1 April 2021, Form 1A is issued electronically on the portal by a medical practitioner and is valid for six months, so get it close to the time you apply. Full details of every form are on our documents required for driving licence page.
Driving licence renewal fees
| Item (Rule 32, central fee) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Renewal of driving licence | ₹200 |
| Late renewal | ₹300, plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay |
| Smart card type DL (where cards are issued) | ₹200 extra |
| Hazardous goods endorsement or renewal | ₹100 |
Since 1 April 2021 the additional late fee is levied after one year from the date of expiry, replacing the older grace period wording. States add their own service or user charges, so the total on the payment page is higher. Puducherry, for example, lists ₹550 in total for renewal. See the driving licence fees calculator for every item.
Renew an expired driving licence
- Expired less than one year ago: you are still inside the renewal window. Apply online in the normal way.
- Expired more than one year ago: the mParivahan renewal guide says you must take the driving test again for the vehicle classes you need, and the late fee applies. You will need to book a test slot.
Some rules make this easier than a fresh licence. Since 1 April 2021, a renewal filed after expiry does not need an effective learner licence. You do not repeat the online LL tutorial or LL test, because holders of an effective or expired DL are exempt. The rule that you must hold an LL for at least 30 days before a driving test does not apply to a test for renewal. Read about what happens on the day in our driving test guide.
Transport and heavy licence renewal
A transport (commercial) licence is valid for five years from issue or renewal, and you need a Form 1A medical certificate every time you renew it, whatever your age. Section 15 requires a medical certificate where the licence is for a transport vehicle or the applicant has reached 40. Heavy licence renewal follows the same fee table as other licences, with the central renewal fee of ₹200 plus state charges.
For hazardous goods, the 2019 amendment sets the authorisation at three years, with renewal subject to conditions the Central Government prescribes. The central fee for endorsement or renewal of this authorisation is ₹100.
Check driving licence renewal status
To check DL renewal status on Sarathi, select your state, click Apply Online, then Application Status, and enter your application number. If the status reads "Application is under scrutiny and processing at RTO Level", you need to visit the RTO for physical document verification and biometrics. More on this in our DL status guide.
Sarathi cannot refund a double payment, so if a payment seems stuck, check status before paying again and contact the RTO if money was taken twice.
How to use the validity checker
Enter your date of birth and the date your licence was issued or last renewed, and choose private (non-transport) or transport. The checker applies the Section 14 bands above to show your expiry date, the date you can start renewing (one year before expiry) and the last date before the late fee and retest apply (one year after expiry). The date printed on your licence is the final word; if the two differ, go by your licence and the Sarathi record.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my driving licence online?
Yes. Renewal is a Sarathi service, and renewal that does not need a driving test is available as an Aadhaar-based contactless service. Select your state on Sarathi, enter your DL number and date of birth, and follow the renewal steps.
How early can I renew my driving licence?
You can apply up to one year before the expiry date. You can also apply within one year after expiry without a fresh test.
What happens if my driving licence expired more than a year ago?
You pay the late fee of ₹300 plus ₹1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay, counted after one year from expiry, and you must pass the driving test again for the classes you need.
Do I need a medical certificate to renew my DL?
You need a Form 1A medical certificate if you are 40 or older or hold a transport licence. Others give a Form 1 self-declaration of fitness.
What is the driving licence renewal fee?
The central fee is ₹200. States add service or user charges, so the amount you pay on Sarathi is higher.
Can I renew my licence in a different city?
Yes, within the same state. Since 1 April 2021 you can apply for renewal to any licensing authority in the state.
How long is a renewed driving licence valid?
It depends on your age at renewal: until 40 if under 30, 10 years from 30 to under 50, until 60 from 50 to under 55, and 5 years from 55. Transport licences are valid for 5 years.