Sarathi login causes a lot of confusion. People expect a sign-up page with a user ID and password. The official flows published by state transport departments work differently: for each service you identify yourself with details you already have, such as an application number, your driving licence (DL) number and date of birth, or your Aadhaar number with a one-time password (OTP).
This page explains which details unlock which service, how to get each one, and what to do when an OTP does not arrive or you lose your application number. It also covers what people mean by "parivahan login". Remember that sarathiportal.com is an independent guide: you cannot log in here, and we never ask for your OTP or Aadhaar number.
How Sarathi login works: the details each service asks for
Every visit starts the same way: open the official Sarathi state selection page and choose your state. After that, the portal asks for different details depending on the task. The table below is built from the official Sarathi FAQ and state transport department guides.
| What you want to do | How you identify yourself |
|---|---|
| Apply for a learner's licence with Aadhaar (faceless) | Aadhaar number and an OTP sent to the mobile linked to that Aadhaar |
| Check an application, upload photo and signature | Your application number, through Apply Online, then Application Status |
| Take the online learner's licence test | Application number, date of birth and a password sent by SMS (as described by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) |
| Use a service on an existing DL (renewal, duplicate, address change) | DL number, date of birth and captcha, then an OTP to confirm |
| Print the LL after passing | OTP verification (Maharashtra guide) |
The exact screens differ between states and change over time, so read each page on the portal carefully rather than relying on remembered button names.
Login with application number on Sarathi
When you submit a new application, Sarathi generates an application number and sends it to you by SMS. The acknowledgement and the prefilled form can be printed at that point. This number is your key to the application from then on.
- Open Sarathi and choose your state. Use the official address sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.
- Go to Apply Online, then Application Status. This is the path given in the official Sarathi FAQ.
- Enter your application number. Fill in any other details the page asks for and the captcha.
- Continue the pending step. From here you can see the status and, if pending, upload your photo and signature.
For more detail on reading the result, see DL status.
Login with DL number and date of birth
If you already hold a driving licence, services on that licence start with your DL number. The Uttarakhand Transport Department describes the Sarathi "Services on DL" flow like this:
- Enter your DL number, date of birth and captcha. Sarathi fetches your licence details.
- Confirm or update the details. Check your name, address and other fields.
- Verify with OTP. Confirm with the one-time password sent to your mobile.
- Select the service. For example renewal, duplicate or change of address.
- Upload documents and pay online. Book a test slot only if the service needs one.
This is also how you check what details are held for your licence. See online DL check, driving licence renewal and duplicate driving licence.
Aadhaar OTP login for faceless services
Since 2021, many licence services can be done fully online with Aadhaar authentication, on a voluntary basis. In 2022 the list grew to 58 services across licences and vehicles. Aadhaar is how Sarathi confirms that you are the applicant without an RTO visit.
- Mobile linked to Aadhaar: Maharashtra's faceless LL guide says the Aadhaar OTP goes to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar, and you can use only your own Aadhaar.
- RTO chosen for you: in Tamil Nadu's flow, the RTO is assigned automatically from the PIN code in your Aadhaar address.
- Details must match: a 2023 Tribune report from Haryana said contactless use needs your Aadhaar details to match your DL record.
- No Aadhaar e-KYC? You can still use the RTO route. A news report on Andhra Pradesh's 2026 home LL test says applicants without Aadhaar e-KYC use the RTO.
The learner's licence by Aadhaar is explained step by step in learning licence.
Parivahan login and the NextGen mParivahan app
Searches like "parivahan login", "parivahan citizen login" and "parivahan gov in login" usually come from people trying to reach licence or vehicle services. Sarathi (licences) and Vahan (vehicles) both sit under parivahan.gov.in. The official Sarathi state selection page warns that vehicle, DL and eChallan services should be used only through parivahan.gov.in or the NextGen mParivahan app.
For licence work you do not need a separate parivahan account to follow the flows described on this page: you start at Sarathi, choose your state and use the identifiers above. Vehicle services such as registration are outside the scope of this guide.
Keep your mobile number updated
Almost every Sarathi step depends on SMS: the application number, OTPs and the LL test password. The official state selection page asks applicants to keep their mobile number updated in Vahan and Sarathi. Uttarakhand lists mobile number change among the licence services it offers on Sarathi. If your number has changed, update it before starting a new service, or ask your RTO how to do it in your state.
Save the SMS with your application number, and take a screenshot or print of the acknowledgement. If the SMS is deleted, the printed acknowledgement still has the number.
Sarathi login problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar OTP not received | Check that the mobile linked to your Aadhaar is active. If you cannot use Aadhaar authentication, use the RTO route. |
| Lost application number | Look for the SMS sent when you submitted, or the printed acknowledgement. If neither is available, contact your RTO. |
| Wrong state selected | Go back to the state selection page and choose the state where you want the licence. |
| Paid twice | Sarathi cannot refund a double payment. Contact your RTO or transport department. |
| Thinking of cancelling and starting over | Cancelling is permanent: the file closes and fees are not refunded. Try to fix the issue first. |
| No test slot shown | Online slot booking is not available at every RTO. Ask your RTO how to book. |
| Status says the application is under scrutiny at RTO level | Visit the RTO for physical document verification and biometrics. |
Never give your OTP, test password or Aadhaar number to anyone who calls or messages you, and never type them on a site whose address does not end in .gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register or create an account on Sarathi?
The official flows published by transport departments do not ask you to create a username and password for licence services. You choose your state and identify yourself with an application number, a DL number and date of birth, or Aadhaar with an OTP.
What is my Sarathi login ID?
For a new application, the closest thing to a login ID is your application number, which Sarathi sends by SMS when you submit. For an existing licence, it is your DL number together with your date of birth.
Where can I find my application number?
It is sent by SMS when you submit the application and is printed on the acknowledgement. If you have lost both, contact your RTO.
Is parivahan login the same as Sarathi login?
Sarathi is the licence part of parivahan.gov.in. For licence services you go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, pick your state and use the details for that service.
Can I use Sarathi on my mobile phone?
The official Sarathi page directs users to parivahan.gov.in or the NextGen mParivahan app for DL services. For the online LL test, a 2025 news report on Gujarat's faceless LL describes it as taken on a computer with a webcam.
Why is the OTP going to an old number?
Maharashtra's guide says the Aadhaar OTP goes to the mobile linked with your Aadhaar, so update that number with Aadhaar. The official Sarathi page also asks applicants to keep their mobile number updated in Sarathi.