A driving licence is a critical legal document required to operate motor vehicles on public roads in India, as mandated by the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
Checking your driving licence status is essential to confirm its validity, track the progress of applications or renewals, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
This process can be done efficiently through online platforms like the Parivahan Sewa portal or mParivahan app, as well as offline at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
Methods to Check Driving Licence Status
Online Method: Parivahan Sewa Portal
The Parivahan Sewa portal, managed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, is the primary platform for checking driving license status. It offers real-time updates, is accessible 24/7, and requires no fees, making it a convenient option for most users.
Steps to Check Existing License Status:
- Visit the Parivahan Sewa portal.
- Go to Informational Services and click on “Know your license details” from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your driving license number in the correct format, with date of birth and captcha code for verification:
- Format: SS-RRYYYYNNNNNNN or SSRR YYYYNNNNNNN (e.g., DL-1420110012345 or DL14 20110012345).
- SS: 2-character State Code (e.g., RJ for Rajasthan, MH for Maharashtra).
- RR: 2-digit RTO Code.
- YYYY: 4-digit Year of Issue (e.g., '99' becomes '1999', '12' becomes '2012').
- NNNNNNN: 7-digit number, padded with leading zeros if needed.
- Format: SS-RRYYYYNNNNNNN or SSRR YYYYNNNNNNN (e.g., DL-1420110012345 or DL14 20110012345).
- Click on “Check Status” and you will be able to check your existing licence.
Steps to Check New Driving License Status:
The most efficient and widely used method is checking online via the Parivahan Sewa portal, operated by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. The steps are as follows:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Parivahan website - https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.
- Navigate to Services: Under the 'Online Services' tab, select 'Driving Licence Related Services'.
- Select State: Choose your state from the dropdown menu to proceed.
- Access Application Status: Click on the "Application Status" tab, typically located in the top-right corner.
- Enter Details: Fill in the required fields, including:
- Application Number (obtained during application submission)
- Date of Birth
- Captcha (for security verification)
- Submit and View: Click "Submit" to view the status on the screen. The status may indicate stages such as processing, approved, dispatched, or pending verification.
Notes:
- Older licences may require format conversion to match the standard 16-character format, as explained in the requirements section below.
- Status updates may not appear immediately after issuance due to database synchronization delays, as noted in various online guides.
Offline Method: Visiting the Regional Transport Office (RTO)
For those without internet access or preferring in-person assistance, visiting the local RTO is a reliable option.
Steps to Check Offline:
- Identify the RTO with jurisdiction over your residential area, which can be found on your state’s transport department website or by contacting the RTO helpline.
- Visit the RTO during working hours (typically 10 AM to 5 PM, excluding holidays).
- Provide your application number or driving license number to the enquiry counter, along with your date of birth or other identification details if required.
- Request the status, and the official will access the records to provide details on the current stage or validity.
Requirements for Checking Status
The following table summarizes the details needed for each method:
Common Issues and Solutions
The following table addresses common issues and their solutions: