If you want to drive legally in India, then you should hold a driving license. A driving license is more than just a legal document; it is also an identity proof document. You can apply for a duplicate driving license if your original one gets stolen, damaged, or lost. We all know that we have to face a lot of trouble if we lose our permanent driving license. Driving your four-wheeler or riding your two-wheeler without a valid driving license is a punishable offence. Hence, it is suggested to apply for a duplicate driving license as soon as possible. Below we have explained more about applying for a duplicate driving license in India.

Types of Driving Licences in India

In India, a driving licence is an official document that authorises its holder to operate various types of vehicles on public roads and highways. In India, it comes under State Government and is issued by the Regional Transport Authorities(RTA) or Regional Transport Offices (RTO). A driving licence can also serve as proof of identity ex when opening a bank account. rivers are legally obliged to carry a valid driving licence while driving.

These days driving license is available in a smart card format. You’ll have to give your biometrics where your personal information will be taken and stored in a chip embedded in the smart card. You will have to pay a certain amount of fee for the new  Smart Card.

Under section 130 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a police officer or any other official authorised by the government can ask for vehicle-related documents, and the driver should produce them within 15 days at the police station (or the concerned department)

An individual who wants to drive any type of motor vehicle in India has to get a  learner’s license first. A learner’s license is issued for learning. After a month of the issued learner’s license, the person has to appear for the test in front of an RTO authority, who upon proper examination, will declare if he/she has passed the exam or not.

Duplicate Driving License: Duplicate driving license is a copy of an existing driving license, which is issued to a person in case his driving license is stolen, destroyed, or lost. RTO offices all across India have the authority to issue a duplicate driving license to a person whose original license is torn, misplaced or stolen.

Things to keep in mind before applying for Duplicate Driving License

• A duplicate driving license can be issued from the same RTO that issued the original license. So if had got your original driving license from Lucknow RTO but now are in Mumbai and have lost your DL, you cannot get the duplicate driving license from Mumbai RTO. You can get it from Lucknow RTO only.
• You will NOT have to give a driving test for getting a duplicate driving license.
• Normally the driving license is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or until the age of 50, whichever is earlier. The validity of a duplicate driving license is the same as your original DL as the information in your duplicate DL is the same. So if your DL was expiring on 18 Aug 2022 then Duplicate Driving License will also expire on 18 Aug 2022.
• If you have lost your learner’s license then you can apply for only Duplicate Learner’s license.

Things to do if you lose your driving licence

Driving license may not have any monetary value, but it is undoubtedly one of the essential ID proofs you hold.

• You should visit the police station of the area where your driving license was lost and file First Information Report (FIR) and get a copy of it.
• Visit the Notary office to get an affidavit on a stamped paper. The affidavit will act as a proof that you took an oath before the concerned officer (executive magistrate/notary public/first class judicial magistrate) that your license is lost. You will have to pay a small fee for the notary service and the stamped paper. There are many shops near RTO where you can do it easily.

How to apply for Duplicate Driving License

You can apply for the duplicate driving license either online and offline.  Even if you apply online you need to take the print out of the filled form and visit the RTO.

You need to follow the below steps for obtaining a duplicate driving license online:

• Visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – the Sarathi website, parivahan.gov.in and Select Online Services.
• Select the state as Online services in the portal are available only for the States listed here
• Fill Applicant/Request Details
• Upload Documents (if required)
• Upload Photo and Signature if required (applicable only in certain states)
• Pay Fee
• Submit the LLD form.
• Take a print out of the duly filled form
• You will then have to submit the form and the required documents at the RTO office which had issued your original driving license.
• Once the formalities are complete, your duplicate driving license as smart card will be sent to your registered address.
• You will also receive a receipt that can be used in lieu until the time you don’t get your duplicate driving license.

Video on How To apply for Duplicate Driving Licence Online

This 5 minute video shows how to apply for Duplicate Driving License Online

How to apply for duplicate driving license offline?

If you don’t wish to go for the online duplicate driving license procedure, then you can easily get a duplicate driving license offline by following the steps given below:

• Visit the RTO office that issued your original driving license
• Get the LLD form that is the application form for getting a duplicate driving license
• Fill the form completely and attach all the supporting documents
• You will have to pay the nominal fees of Rs. 200 for your driving license application to be processed.
• Once the application procedure is complete, you will receive a receipt which can be used till the time you do not receive your duplicate driving license.

Keep in mind; a driving license gives you the authority to drive lawfully on the roads of India. However, it is a must that should drive safe. Driving is a responsibility, and no one should take it lightly. Rash driving and driving under the influence of alcohol can endanger your life as well as the lives of those around you. Having a car insurance policy protects your car against the damages it undergoes due to various unforeseen circumstances. Have a look at Car Insurance and Two Wheeler Insurance offered by Reliance General Insurance here.