India / Driving licence and vehicles

Renew a driving licence online (Sarathi)

Apply for renewal on the Sarathi portal under Services on DL, any time from one year before the expiry date to one year after it. The central renewal fee is Rs 200. If you are 40 or older, or hold a transport vehicle licence, you need a medical certificate in Form 1A; if the licence expired more than one year ago you must pass the driving test again.

Fee: Rs 200 (central fee); more if expired over a year; states may add charges
Time: Varies by state and RTO
How: Online on Sarathi; faceless in some states, RTO visit in others

Checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. See the 10 sources.

Not confirmed

These points could not be confirmed on an official page on 13 October 2026. Check them with the office or portal before you rely on them.

The exact wording of the 30 day provision in the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 could not be opened (India Code was unreachable and its PDF is not updated); the guide relies on the PIB explainer of the Bill and the commencement notification, so confirm before relying on the 30 days in a dispute
The Parivahan "Renewal" page and one FAQ answer still state pre-2019 periods (one month before expiry, 30 days, five years, Rs 30) and the fee page still says "grace period"; these conflict with the 2019 Act, G.S.R. 240(E) and another FAQ answer on the same site. The guide follows the Act and the rules
The Parivahan requirements page names Application Form 2 for renewal; whether your state's screen labels it Form 2 or Form 9 was not checked
Whether renewal is faceless or needs an RTO visit, and whether the renewed card is posted or collected, was confirmed only for Delhi
State user charges, smart card and postal charges vary and were not checked

Quick answer

On sarathi.parivahan.gov.in choose your state, then Driving Licence, then Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others), or the tile Apply for DL Renewal. Enter your licence number and date of birth, select Renewal, fill the self declaration, upload Form 1A if you need one, and pay.

You can apply from one year before the expiry date until one year after it without a driving test. Apply more than one year after expiry and the law requires you to pass the test of competence to drive again.

Who can apply

Any holder of a driving licence issued in India. You can apply to any licensing authority in your State; the Parivahan FAQ says to pick the RTO where your last transaction was done, or the nearest one.
No NOC is required for a driving licence if you now live in another state, according to the Parivahan FAQ. A licence is valid across India.
Your licence record must be on Sarathi. If it is an old book or card not found online, the RTO has to enter it first (backlog entry).

When to apply

When you apply	What the law says
Up to one year before expiry	Allowed. Renewed with effect from the expiry date
Within one year after expiry	Allowed at the normal fee, no driving test
More than one year after expiry	The licensing authority shall refuse renewal unless you pass the test of competence to drive. The FAQ adds that some states also ask for a learner's licence, as per state policy

Driving after expiry: a 30 day period after expiry, during which the licence continues to be valid, was brought back by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, and the Motor Vehicles Act changes took effect on 15 August 2026. Treat 30 days as the outer limit for driving on an expired licence and renew before expiry if you can. The one year window above is about renewing without a test, not about driving.

Medical certificate (Form 1A) rules by age

Licence	Age on the date of application	Medical document
Non-transport (car, motor cycle)	Under 40	Self declaration only (Form 1, now part of the application form)
Non-transport	40 or above	Medical certificate in Form 1A
Transport vehicle	Any age	Medical certificate in Form 1A, at every renewal

Form 1A must be issued electronically on the portal by a registered medical practitioner. Use Find Doctor on your state's Sarathi page to locate a doctor registered there.

Documents you need

The driving licence (number, and the card if you have it).
Application form with self declaration, filled online.
Form 1A where the table above requires it.
Photo and signature, if your state asks for a fresh upload.
Proof of address only if you are also changing the address (that is a separate service, Rs 200 central fee, which can be selected in the same application).
For the contactless or faceless route: Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked to it. In Delhi the name, date of birth and father's or spouse's name in Aadhaar must exactly match the licence record.

Steps

Online

Open https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do and select your state.
Click Apply for DL Renewal, or Driving Licence, then Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others). Click Continue on the instructions.
Enter the Driving Licence number and Date of Birth and fetch your licence details. Confirm the details are yours and choose the RTO.
Tick Renewal in the list of services. Add Change of Address or other services now if you need them.
Fill the self declaration of physical fitness. If you need Form 1A, visit a doctor listed under Find Doctor so that the certificate is issued on the portal.
Upload documents, and photo and signature if asked.
Pay under Fee Payments and keep the receipt. Note the application number.
If your state shows renewal as a faceless or contactless service, complete the Aadhaar authentication and e-sign. Nothing more is needed unless the RTO raises a query.
If your state requires a visit, book a slot under Appointments, then DL services Slot Booking.

In person

Go to the RTO on the booked date with the licence, application printout, fee receipt, Form 1A if applicable and original documents.
Documents are checked and photo or biometrics taken where the RTO requires.
If the licence expired more than one year ago, book and pass the driving test (DL Test Slot Booking). Under the rules you do not need a learner's licence for a renewal test and there is no 30 day waiting period, though the FAQ notes some states do ask for a learner's licence.
The renewed licence is posted or handed over as your state decides. Delhi, for example, asks you to collect it from the RTO after an intimation.

Fees

Purpose	Central fee (rule 32)
Renewal of driving licence	Rs 200
Renewal applied for more than one year after expiry	Rs 300, plus Rs 1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay counted after that one year
Driving test, where required, per class of vehicle	Rs 300
Change of address in the licence, if added	Rs 200

States add user charges, and card and postal charges where applicable. The doctor's fee for Form 1A is separate and is not a government fee. If the application is rejected, the Act provides for refund as prescribed; a fee paid on an application you cancel yourself is not refunded.

How long it takes

There is no single national time limit on the pages opened. A faceless renewal with no query is the quickest; where an RTO visit or a driving test is needed it depends on slot availability.

Validity after renewal

Age on the date of renewal	Renewed non-transport licence is valid
Under 30	Until you turn 40
30 or more but under 50	For 10 years
50 or more but under 55	Until you turn 60
55 or more	For 5 years

A transport vehicle licence is renewed for five years, and a hazardous goods endorsement for three years.

How to check status

On your state's Sarathi page click Application Status and enter the application number and date of birth. For a posted card use Others, then Track Dispatch Article Status. If you lost the application number, use Find Application Number.

Common problems

Sarathi shows the licence as expired or shows wrong details, though the card is correct. The FAQ says to visit the RTO with the original so that the record is corrected.
Licence number not found. Old licences may not be digitised. Ask the RTO for backlog entry; some states allow it online.
"Suspicious data found." Remove special characters from the address fields.
Transport validity expired long ago but non-transport is valid. You can renew only the non-transport part, or surrender the transport class, from the same Services on DL menu.
Aadhaar name does not match the licence. The faceless route will not work. Either correct Aadhaar or apply with an RTO visit.
Pending e-challans. Under rule 167, licence applications are not processed while an accepted challan is unpaid. Clear challans first.
Doctor not on the portal. A paper Form 1A is not what the rules provide for; the certificate has to be issued on the portal.

FAQ

How early can I renew my driving licence?

Up to one year before the expiry date. The renewed validity is counted from the expiry date.

Is there a grace period after a driving licence expires?

Two different periods apply. The licence continues to be valid for driving for 30 days after expiry under the 2026 amendment. Separately, you can renew at the normal fee and without a test for up to one year after expiry.

What if my driving licence expired more than one year ago?

You must pass the driving test again, and the fee is Rs 300 plus Rs 1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay beyond the first year, in addition to the test fee. Some states also ask for a learner's licence.

What is the fee for driving licence renewal?

The central fee is Rs 200. Your state may add user and card charges.

At what age is a medical certificate needed for renewal?

From 40 years for a private (non-transport) licence. For a transport vehicle licence Form 1A is needed at every renewal, whatever your age.

Can I renew my licence in a different state from the one that issued it?

The FAQ says no NOC is required for a driving licence and that you may choose the nearest RTO. The rules speak of any licensing authority in the State, so if Sarathi does not let you pick an RTO in your new state, ask that RTO how it handles licences issued elsewhere.

For how many years is a licence renewed?

It depends on your age at renewal: until 40 if you are under 30, ten years between 30 and 50, until 60 between 50 and 55, and five years from 55. Transport licences are renewed for five years.

Can I renew without visiting the RTO?

In states that offer renewal as a faceless service with Aadhaar authentication, yes, provided no driving test is required. Your state's Sarathi home page lists its faceless services.

Official links

Sources

Every fee, time limit, form and address above was read on these official pages on 13 October 2026.

MoRTH, The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (PDF) Supports Section 15 as amended (renewal window of one year before and one year after expiry; test of competence compulsory if applied more than one year after expiry); section 14 validity by age; transport licence five years; hazardous goods endorsement three years; apply to any licensing authority in the State
India Code, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (PDF, pre-2019 text) Supports Base text of section 15, including the medical certificate for transport licences and for applicants who have attained forty years, and refund of fee on rejection
MoRTH, G.S.R. 240(E) dated 31 March 2021, Central Motor Vehicles (Sixth Amendment) Rules, 2021 Supports Rule 5 proviso and rule 18, Form 1A for non-transport renewal once the applicant has attained 40 and for every transport renewal; Form 1A issued only electronically on the portal; renewal by any licensing authority in the State; no learner's licence needed for renewal after expiry; no 30 day wait for a renewal test; fee entry 9 reworded to one year from expiry; duplicate licence Rs 400
Parivahan Sewa, Licensing Related Fees and Charges Supports Renewal of driving licence Rs 200; renewal applied for after the grace period Rs 300 plus Rs 1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay; Rs 300 driving test fee per class; Rs 200 change of address
Parivahan Sewa, Renewal Supports Requirements list (driving licence, Application Form 2, Form 1 or Form 1A, fees and user charges); this page still shows the older one month, 30 day and five year periods
Parivahan Sewa, FAQ Supports Renewal possible within one year before or after expiry; steps under Services on DL; driving test, and in some states a learner's licence, if expired more than one year; which RTO to choose; NOC not required for a driving licence; Form 1A at 40 and above; application status; contact RTO if Sarathi shows wrong data
Sarathi Parivahan, state selection and state home page (opened for Delhi) Supports Menu names Apply for DL Renewal, Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others), DL services Slot Booking, DL Test Slot Booking, Find Doctor, Application Status; RENEWAL OF DL as a faceless service in Delhi and the Aadhaar match condition; licence collected from the RTO in Delhi
MoRTH, S.O. 3680(E) dated 6 July 2026 Supports Renewal of Driving Licence is a listed Sarathi service with voluntary Aadhaar authentication; automatic, faceless or physical delivery as per the process flow
MoRTH, S.O. 4100(E) dated 24 July 2026 Supports The Motor Vehicles Act amendments made by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 came into force on 15 August 2026
Press Information Bureau, Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 explainer (PDF) Supports A 30 day grace period after expiry during which the driving licence remains valid

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