Renewal of Driving License

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A Driving License (DL) is valid for a limited time period, based on which you have to renew it. Given below are the time limits for validity of a Driving License (DL), with respect to its issue or renewal: 

• If you have not turned 30 years old, it will be effective till you turn 40 years old
• If you are between the ages of 30 and 50, it will be effective for 10 more years 
• If you are between the ages of 50 and 55 , it will be effective for until you turn 60 years old
• If you are 55 years old or above, it will be effective for 5 more years

However, this varies across states. For example, in Delhi, a DL is valid for 20 years, or until you attain 50 years of age, whichever is earlier.¹ 

You must renew your DL 1 month² before this period has passed, if you wish to keep driving. You may do so in any state, through any appropriate authority.³  In some states like Delhi, you must do so within 1 year of the expiry of your DL, otherwise you will have to take a driving test.⁴  If the application is late for more than five years after the date of expiry of the licence, the applicant should undergo all the formalities to obtain a fresh licence.²

You can apply for a DL in any state where:

• You either live or ordinarily conduct business, or 
• Where your driving school from where you have taken your training⁵ is located

Follow the steps given below to renew your DL: 

Step 1 – You should visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO)/ Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of your state and fill in and submit the application form

Step 2 – You should submit the following⁶

• 3 recent Passport size photographs.
• Driving License (original and a self-attested copy)
• Proof of age (original and a self-attested copy)⁷
• Proof of residence (original and a self-attested copy)⁷
• Declaration of physical fitness, which will be available on your state’s website or your state’s RTO’s office. For example,for Delhi, you can download the form here.  Alternatively, you must submit a medical certificate, which you can download here, if you are over 40 years of age.⁸ 
• The prescribed fee. This varies across states. 
• Any additional documents that might be required, according to the state you live in. 

Step 3 – You can then collect your renewed DL.  Sometimes, the RTO may deliver it to your address, but you should ask the RTO for the details on this step.  

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

1. Transport Department (Government of Delhi), Frequently Asked Questions, http://transport.delhi.gov.in/content/frequently-asked-questions[↩]
2. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Parivahan Sewa, Renewal, https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/en/content/renewal[↩][↩]
3. Section 15, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988[↩]
4. Section 15(4), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988[↩]
5. Section 9(1), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988[↩]
6. Rule 18(1), Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989[↩]
7. Rule 4, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989[↩][↩]
8. Section 15(1), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988[↩]