Obtaining a valid driving license (DL) in India is legally mandatory to ensure safety and regulate the operation of motor vehicles. Once an individual applies for a driving license, it’s natural to be eager to know its status. Keeping this in mind, the Indian government has managed to make the process of checking the status more accessible and convenient in the past few years, thanks to digital advancements and online services.
Whether you are a new applicant or wish to renew your DL, understanding this process can offer you with utmost clarity during your path to becoming a licensed driver on Indian roads. Therefore, this post will offer you the necessary and up-to-date information to check your DL status and help you stay responsible on the roads.
Why Is It Important To Check The Status Of Driving Licence?
Your driving license serves as an essential document and checking its status is important for various reasons. Some of them are discussed below:
- Verification Of License’s Validity: Being aware of the status of your driving license ensures its validity. This is extremely important before plying your vehicle on Indian roads or when a traffic police officer asks you to provide valid license proof. In case you are driving with an invalid DL and you don’t know about it, it can cause you hefty fines or zero accident claims.
- For Timely Awareness: By regularly checking the status of your DL, one can be assured of staying informed in time regarding any potential issues or delays during the renewal or application processes of the driving license. Individuals can promptly address such discrepancies or fulfill additional requirements to avoid unnecessary delays.
- To Track Endorsements & Penalties: The checking process of DL status also enables individuals to monitor any endorsements or penalties linked to their driving records. This is extremely crucial to be taken care of because they can create significant obstacles in insurance matters or upholding a clean driving history.
- Verification Of Details: We all know that a driving license contains some most important information, including name, address, and vehicle number, to name a few. Checking the status of your DL consistently helps you verify that all such details on your license are accurate or up-to-date. In case of any errors, the vehicle owner can rectify them promptly, avoiding future complications, especially during emergencies.
Online Method To Check Driving License Status In India
Checking the status of a driving license can be done in two ways on the official website of ‘Parivahan’. One is through “Online Services” and the other is through the “Informational Services” tab.
Below are their respective steps:
Through “Online Services” Tab:
- Go to the official website of ‘Parivahan’ from the government of India.
- On the top menu bar, press “Online Services” and then select “Driving License Related Services” from the drop-down menu.
- Now select your state to continue the process.
- Press the “Application Status” tab at the top-right of the page.
- Now enter your application number, date of birth, and captcha code, and then press “Submit”.
- The moment you finish this step, the status of your driving license will be immediately displayed on the screen.
Through “Informational Services” Tab:
- On the home page, click on the “Informational Services” tab at the top banner.
- Now click “Know Your License Details” from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your driving license number, date of birth, and verification code, and then press “Check Status”.
- Once you are done with the above step, the information regarding your DL status will be displayed on the screen.
Offline Method To Check Driving Licence Status In India:
To check the status of your DL through an offline method, you can simply visit your nearby RTO (Regional Transport Office). Once you reach there, approach the inquiry counter and ask the executive to help you out in checking the status. The executive will then ask you for some important details, such as your name and application number, to check the progress of your driving license.
Things To Keep In Mind While Checking DL Status
Here are a few points that one needs to consider while entering details for checking the status of DL in India:
- Be Patient: After you pass your driving test, it might take around a month to get your valid driving license. Usually, the RTO issues the license within 2-3 weeks and sends it directly to the address you have given.
- Enter Right Details: Ensure that you are entering accurate details, such as date of birth and application number. Any kind of incorrect information can lead to an incorrect status display.
- Use A Secure Connection: Always use a secure and safe internet connection while using the official website. It’s better not to use public WiFi networks because your personal information regarding your driving license may be hacked and misused.
- Only Use Official Website: Never use any kind of third-party website to check the status of your driving license. Always visit the official ‘Parivahan’ website for increased safety.
- Keep Your Contact Info Updated: Double-check your contact information while checking your DL status. This is crucial for receiving timely updates or notifications regarding the status of your DL.
- Select ‘State’ Carefully: Always choose the ‘state’ in which you have applied for a driving license. For example, if you have applied for a driving license in Delhi, then select your state as ‘Delhi’, irrespective of where your background is from.
- Focus On Special Instructions: Pay attention to any special instructions provided on the website to check the driving license status. It will ensure a smooth and accurate process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it entirely depends on the individual, it’s generally recommended to check your DL status once every six months or a year to stay informed with up-to-date information.
No. There is no fee for checking the status of your driving license. If any website is charging you money for the same, please be cautious and try to use the official website only.
If you find any errors or discrepancies in your DL information, reach out to your respective RTO as soon as possible. Explain your issue to them and follow their guidance to rectify the errors. Failing to rectify mistakes in your DL can become a huge problem in the future, especially during insurance matters and emergency conditions.
Yes. Anyone in your family member can receive your driving license on your behalf. Ensure that the person receiving your DL has a valid ID proof to accept the document.
In most cases, only the license holders can check the status. However, in case assistance is required, be assured that the other person is trustworthy and has all the required details.
