How to Renew Your Driving Licence
Renew an Indian driving licence online through Parivahan Sarathi — when to apply, the medical certificate rule, and how to renew an expired DL after the grace period.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- parivahan.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online & Offline
- Validity
- 20 years from renewal date or until age 50, whichever is earlier (non-transport)
- Issuing Authority
- RTO
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Available
A renewed driving licence is essentially a fresh issue with the same DL number and the same vehicle classes you already hold. The process runs on Parivahan Sarathi and is largely online — most states no longer require a renewal visit to the RTO unless biometrics or signature need a refresh.
The grace window is 1 year after expiry. Apply within that window, ideally within 30 days of expiry, to avoid late fees and the risk of being asked to take a fresh DL test.
If you're aged 40 or above, a Form 1A medical self-declaration signed by a registered doctor is mandatory at renewal — don't skip this step.
Eligibility
- You hold an Indian Driving Licence that has expired, is about to expire, or has expired within the past 1 year (the standard grace window).
- You are medically fit. Applicants aged 40 and above must submit a Form 1A medical certificate at renewal.
- You are not under any DL suspension or disqualification.
Required documents
Existing DL
RequiredIdentifies the licence to be renewed and the vehicle classes held.
Original DL or DL number. The Sarathi system fetches details automatically.
OriginalDL numberForm 1A medical self-declaration
OptionalCertifies medical fitness to continue holding a driving licence.
Required for renewals where the applicant is 40 or above.
PDFForm 9 renewal application
RequiredOfficial renewal application form submitted to the RTO.
Generated by Sarathi during the online application.
PDFPhotograph and signature
RequiredUpdated photo and signature for the renewed DL smart card.
Soft copies for upload.
JPGPNGAddress proof
OptionalUpdates the RTO records with the applicant's current address.
If your address has changed since the DL was issued.
PDFJPG
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open Parivahan Sarathi
Go to parivahan.gov.in and choose 'Driving Licence Related Services' for your state.
sarathi.parivahan.gov.in ↗ - 2
Click 'Apply for Renewal of DL'
Enter your DL number, date of birth, and confirm details fetched from the RTO database.
- 3
Fill the renewal form (Form 9)
Update any details that have changed — address, vehicle class — and tick the renewal type.
- 4
Upload medical certificate (if 40+)
Upload Form 1A signed by a registered medical practitioner.
- 5
Upload photo and signature
If your photo and signature in the RTO system are outdated, upload fresh copies.
- 6
Pay the renewal fee + smart card fee
Pay online via card / UPI / net banking.
- 7
Schedule a slot at the RTO (only if required)
Some states require a brief RTO visit for biometric refresh or signature; many allow fully online renewal.
- 8
Download the renewed DL
Renewed DL PDF is available on Sarathi and DigiLocker once processed. The smart card is dispatched by post.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
parivahan.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Regional Transport Office (RTO) that originally issued the DL
- Approving Officer
- Licensing Authority
- For Offline Applications
- The RTO that issued your original Driving Licence
What happens after applying
- 1
Online renewal application submitted
Form 9 submitted via Sarathi; documents, photo, and medical certificate uploaded; fee paid.
- 2
RTO processing
RTO officer reviews the application. Some states may require a brief visit for biometric verification.
- 3
Renewed DL generated
Digitally signed renewed DL PDF available on Sarathi and DigiLocker.
- 4
Smart card dispatched
Physical smart card sent by post to the registered address.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Missing the 1-year grace window after expiry
Why: Beyond 1 year of DL expiry, most states require a fresh LL + DL test, not just renewal. This is a costly and time-consuming reset.
Fix: Renew within 1 year of expiry. Set a reminder 60 days before expiry to start the process early.
Skipping the Form 1A medical certificate for applicants aged 40+
Why: The system blocks renewal completion without the medical certificate for this age group, even if the doctor upload step is missed during the session.
Fix: Get Form 1A completed by a registered medical practitioner before starting the online renewal. Have it ready to upload.
Paying renewal fee but forgetting the smart card fee
Why: Sarathi sometimes shows renewal fee and smart card fee as separate payment steps. Missing the smart card fee means only a digital DL is issued with no physical card dispatched.
Fix: Review the payment summary carefully before confirming. Ensure both renewal fee and smart card fee are included in the total.
Not updating the address when it has changed
Why: The renewed DL smart card will be dispatched to the old address on file, resulting in non-delivery.
Fix: In Step 3 (Form 9), update your current address and upload fresh address proof before submitting.
Renewing commercial DL without checking badge and medical validity
Why: Commercial DL renewals may require both a Form 1 medical certificate (from a doctor, not self-declaration) and a valid badge. Missing either causes rejection.
Fix: Check your DL type: if it covers transport vehicle classes, obtain a Form 1 medical certificate and confirm your badge status before applying.
Special situations
DL expired more than 1 year ago▾
Standard online renewal may be blocked. You may need to apply for a fresh LL and then a DL. Contact your RTO — some states allow renewal up to 5 years past expiry in specific circumstances.
Renewing a DL with both transport and non-transport classes▾
Transport (commercial) vehicle classes have shorter validity periods than non-transport classes. On renewal, the validity of each class is updated independently. Verify all classes and their new expiry dates in the renewed DL.
DL lost or stolen and renewal due simultaneously▾
Apply for a duplicate DL first via Sarathi. Once the duplicate is issued, initiate the renewal. Some RTOs allow combined duplicate + renewal processing — check with your specific RTO.
State-to-state relocation before renewal▾
If you have moved states, the renewal should ideally be done with the original issuing RTO. Some states allow inter-state transfer of the DL at the time of renewal — contact your new state RTO.
DL about to expire during an extended period abroad▾
You can apply for renewal on Sarathi from abroad and complete the process online if your state allows fully online renewal. The physical smart card will be dispatched to the Indian address on file.
Frequently asked questions
When can I apply for renewal?▾
You can apply up to 1 year before expiry or up to 1 year after expiry (grace window). Apply within 30 days of expiry to avoid late fees in many states.
What if my DL has been expired for more than 1 year?▾
Beyond the 1-year grace window, you may need to apply for a fresh LL + DL — depending on state policy.
Is renewal possible without a medical certificate if I'm 40+?▾
No. Form 1A medical certificate is mandatory for renewal applicants 40 years and above.
Can I drive while waiting for the renewed DL?▾
If you applied for renewal during the grace window, most states allow driving on the basis of the receipt + expired DL. Carry both.
Do I need to visit the RTO for renewal?▾
Most states allow fully online renewal. A brief RTO visit may be required in some states for biometric refresh. Check your state's process on Sarathi.
How long will the renewed DL be valid for?▾
Non-transport DLs are renewed for 20 years or until age 50, whichever is earlier. Transport DL validity is typically shorter — check the Sarathi portal for your specific class.
What is the last date to renew without a late fee?▾
Most states impose a late fee if you apply after the DL expiry date. Applying within 30 days before expiry generally avoids late fees, but policies vary by state.
Can I update my address during the renewal?▾
Yes. Form 9 allows you to update your address. Upload fresh address proof along with the renewal application.
Will the renewed DL have the same DL number?▾
Yes. The DL number remains the same at renewal. Only the expiry date and possibly the photo/signature are updated.
What if my photo in the RTO system is very old?▾
You can upload a fresh photograph during the renewal application. The renewed smart card will carry the new photo.
Is the digitally signed renewed DL PDF legally valid?▾
Yes. The digitally signed DL on Sarathi and DigiLocker is legally valid under the IT Act and accepted by traffic enforcement.
Can I renew a DL that covers commercial vehicle classes online?▾
Yes, but you must upload a Form 1 medical certificate (from a registered doctor, not just a self-declaration) for commercial classes. Some states may also require a badge check.
What happens to my vehicle if my DL expires and I don't renew it?▾
Driving on an expired DL is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act. Traffic police can fine you and may seize your vehicle. Renew before expiry to avoid this.
Can an NRI renew an Indian DL while abroad?▾
Depending on the state, you may be able to initiate the renewal online. However, biometric requirements and smart card dispatch to an Indian address are factors to consider. Contact the issuing RTO for guidance.
What vehicle classes can I add at the time of renewal?▾
Renewal is for existing classes only. To add new vehicle classes (e.g., adding MCWG to an existing LMV DL), you must apply for a fresh DL addition — a separate process through Sarathi.
Official sources
- Parivahan Sarathi Portal ↗
sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
Apply for DL renewal, check application status, and download the renewed DL.
- Parivahan Sewa (MoRTH) ↗
parivahan.gov.in
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways portal for all driving licence services.
- DigiLocker ↗
digilocker.gov.in
Renewed DL PDF available in DigiLocker once processed.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.