When to Renew Your Driving Licence
A driving licence in India must be renewed before its expiry date. Most licences are valid for 20 years from the date of issue or until the holder turns 40 years of age, whichever is earlier. After age 40, renewal is required every 5 years. After age 50, renewal is annual in some categories. The licence expiry date is printed on the back of the card. Driving on an expired licence is a violation under the Motor Vehicles Act
and can attract penalties at traffic checks.
The Online Renewal Process on Sarathi
Driving licence renewal in India is processed through the Sarathi portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.Create or log in to an account using the licence number and registered mobile number. Navigate to Apply for Services and select Renewal of Driving Licence. Enter the current licence details, confirm the address, select the nearest RTO for document verification if required, upload the required documents, and pay the applicable fee online. The application is submitted electronically and processed by the RTO.
Documents Required for Renewal
The standard documents required for driving licence renewal are: the current driving licence, Aadhaar card or any approved identity proof, address proof, a recent passport-size photograph, and for specific licence categories (transport vehicles), a valid medical certificate. Documents can be uploaded as scanned copies or clear photographs on the Sarathi portal. Physical originals may be required for verification at the RTO depending on the renewal category and whether a digilocker-verified submissionis accepted.
Duplicate Driving Licence for Lost or Damaged Licences
If the driving licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, a duplicate licence application can also be filed through the Sarathi portal. Select Apply for Duplicate Driving Licence, enter the original licence details, provide an FIR number if the licence was lost or stolen, and complete the fee payment. For a lost licence, an FIR is required. For a damaged licence, the damaged licence must be submitted with the application. The
duplicate is issued with the same details and validity as the original.
Processing Time and Smart Card Issue
After online application submission and document upload, the RTO processes the renewal. For straightforward renewals without a medical certificate requirement, approval can come within a few working days and the smart card DL is dispatched to the registered address by Speed Post. Processing
times vary by RTO and applicant volume. The status of the application can be tracked on the Sarathi portal using the application number.
Conclusion
Driving licence renewal online through the Sarathi portal is a genuinely simple 15-minute process for most licence categories — no RTO visit required for routine renewals. Renewing before the expiry date avoids the penalty for driving on an expired licence and the additional inspection that may be required for post-expiry renewals. The same portal handles duplicate licence applications for lost or damaged licences, making it the single-stop platform for all DL-related services.