Who Needs This Service?
This official process is meant for Indian citizens holding a valid driving licence who have encountered one of the following situations:
Your Driving Licence (DL) wallet card has been lost, misplaced, or stolen.
Your physical DL smart card is severely damaged, broken, or mutilated.
The embedded microchip on your smart card DL has fallen out or is unreadable by traffic police devices.
The printed details (Name, Photo, Licence Number) on your DL have faded and are no longer legally legible.
If your driving licence has expired, you do not need a “Duplicate DL”; you must apply for a “Renewal of Driving Licence” instead.
Prerequisite Step: Filing an Online Lost Report (Only for Lost/Stolen DL)
Before applying for a duplicate driving licence on the Parivahan portal, you must legally declare the original document lost.
What you need: A Police FIR (First Information Report) or an LRD (Lost Report Document) / NCR (Non-Cognizable Report).
How to get it: You do not need to visit a police station. Almost all state police departments (e.g., Delhi Police, UP Police, Maharashtra Police) have an online “Lost Article Report” portal or mobile application.
Action: Visit your state police’s official website, select “Lost Article/Report,” fill in your DL number and details, and immediately download the digitally signed PDF of the Lost Report. This PDF is a mandatory upload on the Parivahan portal.
Note: If your DL is merely torn or damaged, an FIR/Lost Report is not required. You will simply submit the damaged physical card to the RTO.
Prerequisite Step: Driving Licence Backlog Entry (For Pre-2010 Licences)
A major hurdle citizens face is the “Driving Licence Number Not Found” error.
The Problem: If your driving licence was issued offline as a paper booklet before the digitization of RTOs (usually before 2010), your details may not exist on the national Sarathi database. You cannot apply for a duplicate online if the system does not recognize your DL number.
The Solution: You must first do a “DL Backlog Entry.”
Visit
https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/Select your State.
Click on “DL Services (Replace of DL/Others)”.
If it fails to fetch, go to the main menu and click “DL Services” -> “DL Backlog”.
Enter your old DL number and manual RTO details.
Visit your RTO with the original/copy of the DL to get it approved by the RTO clerk. Once digitized, proceed to the duplicate DL steps below.
Required Documents for Duplicate Driving Licence Application
Prepare these documents in digital format (PDF or JPEG) with a file size of strictly under 500 KB before starting the online process.
If the DL is Lost or Stolen:
Aadhaar Card (Linked with a valid mobile number for OTP-based e-KYC).
Copy of the Police FIR / Online Lost Article Report (Mandatory).
Form LLD / Form 2 (Application for Duplicate Driving Licence – auto-generated online).
A scanned copy or photocopy of the lost driving licence (Highly recommended, but optional if you remember the exact DL number).
Self-Declaration of Physical Fitness (Form 1 – auto-generated online).
If the DL is Damaged or Mutilated:
Aadhaar Card.
The original damaged/mutilated Driving Licence card (Must be surrendered to the RTO either by post or in person).
Form LLD / Form 2.
Self-Declaration of Physical Fitness (Form 1).
Step-by-Step Online Application Process (Aadhaar e-KYC Route)
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) now offers Contactless/Faceless services using Aadhaar e-KYC. If you use this route, you do not need to visit the RTO. The duplicate DL will be directly posted to your Aadhaar address.
Step 1: Access the Official Portal
Open a secure web browser and go to the official Parivahan portal:
https://parivahan.gov.in/Scroll down to the “License Related Services” section.
Click on the “Drivers/ Learners License” option. You will be redirected to the Sarathi portal:
https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiservice/stateSelection.do
Step 2: State Selection and Service Menu
Select your current State from the dropdown menu (e.g., “Delhi”, “Maharashtra”, “Karnataka”).
A pop-up menu showing “Contactless Services” will appear. Close the pop-up or click “Skip”.
On the main dashboard, click on the “Apply for Duplicate DL” icon.
Read the instructions on the screen and click the “Continue” button at the bottom.
Step 3: Fetching Driving Licence Details
Enter your Driving Licence Number exactly as it was printed. Format note: Ensure correct spacing (e.g., DL14 20110012345 or RJ-1420110012345 based on your state’s format. If one fails, try removing the space or hyphen).
Enter your Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY).
Enter the Captcha code and click “Get DL Details”.
[Screenshot Description: A table will populate showing your Name, Father’s Name, RTO name, and Photo/Signature fetched from the database.]
Verify the details. Select “Yes” under the option “Confirm that the above Driving Licence details are mine”.
Select your State and RTO from the dropdown (Choose the RTO where you currently reside). Click “Proceed”.
Step 4: Aadhaar Authentication (Crucial for Contactless Service)
The portal will ask you to choose between “Submit via Aadhaar Authentication” (Contactless) or “Submit without Aadhaar Authentication” (RTO Visit Required).
Select “Submit via Aadhaar Authentication” and click Submit.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number or 16-digit Virtual ID.
Click “Generate OTP”. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered with UIDAI.
Enter the OTP, check all the three consent boxes regarding sharing Aadhaar data with MoRTH, and click “Authenticate”.
Your Aadhaar photo and address will appear. Click “Proceed”.
Step 5: Selecting the Service and Filling Form LLD
You will see a list of multiple DL services (Renewal, Change of Address, Duplicate, etc.). Check the box strictly for “Issue of Duplicate DL”. Click Proceed.
A new section will appear asking for the “Reason for Duplicate DL”.
Select the exact reason from the dropdown menu: “Lost”, “Theft”, “Torn”, or “Mutilated”.
If you select “Lost” or “Theft,” you must enter the FIR Number, Police Station Name, and Date of Complaint in the adjacent text boxes.
Click “Confirm” and submit the auto-generated Self-Declaration (Form 1). To fill Form 1, select “No” for all major illnesses/disabilities, and “Yes” only for the question asking if you can distinguish number plates at 25 meters. Submit Form 1.
Click “Submit Application”. An Application Reference Number will be generated. Save this number or take a screenshot.
Step 6: Document Uploads
Click “Next” to proceed to the document upload stage.
Select the document type from the dropdown (e.g., “FIR/NCR” or “Damaged DL”).
Click “Choose File” and upload your PDF/JPEG (Max 500 KB).
Click “Upload” and then click the “Confirm” button. The status will change to “Saved”. Proceed to the next step. (Note: Since you used Aadhaar e-KYC, Photo and Signature upload is automatically skipped as it pulls data directly from UIDAI).
Step 7: Fee Payment
Click “Proceed to Payment”.
You will be redirected to the e-Vahan payment gateway page.
Select the Payment Gateway (e.g., SBI ePay, Treasury portal depending on your state).
Enter the Captcha and click “Pay Now”.
Complete the transaction using UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
Upon successful payment, strictly click on “Click here for Print Receipt”. Download the fee receipt PDF. Your application is now fully submitted.
Step-by-Step Online Process (Non-Aadhaar Route / Address Mismatch)
If your Aadhaar mobile number is inactive, or if your current address does not match your Aadhaar address, you must use the Non-Aadhaar route.
Follow Steps 1 to 3 above.
In Step 4, choose “Submit without Aadhaar Authentication”.
Proceed with filling the forms and uploading documents.
Additional Step – Photo & Signature: You must manually upload a recent passport-size photograph and a scanned copy of your signature (JPEG format, strictly 10 KB to 20 KB size).
Additional Step – Slot Booking: After fee payment, the portal will prompt you to book an “RTO Visit Slot”. Select an available date and time.
RTO Visit: On the scheduled date, visit the RTO with your original documents, Application Form, and Fee Receipt. Go to the “Biometric/DL Section” to have your physical photograph taken by the RTO camera and get your documents physically verified by the RTO clerk.
Offline Process (For District RTO / RTA Offices)
In rare cases where the Sarathi portal is under maintenance, or if you live in remote districts that have not fully transitioned to faceless services (e.g., certain rural RTOs in North East India or specific offline backlog cases), you can apply offline:
Visit the RTO where your original DL was issued.
Go to the RTO Inquiry/Helpdesk counter and ask for “Form LLD” (Application for Duplicate DL) and “Form 1” (Physical Fitness).
Fill out the forms completely with a blue/black pen. Paste a recent passport-size photograph.
Attach a self-attested photocopy of your Aadhaar Card, Address Proof, and the original Police FIR copy (if lost) or original damaged DL card.
Visit the RTO File Checking / Scrutiny counter to get the documents verified and signed by the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) or RTO Clerk.
Proceed to the Cash Counter, pay the duplicate DL fee manually, and collect the computerized receipt.
Go to the Biometrics Room to capture your digital photo and signature.
Keep the acknowledgement slip safely. The Smart Card will be dispatched via India Post to your registered address.
Fee Structure for Duplicate Driving Licence
Fees are regulated by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, but slight state-level cess/user charges may apply.
Fee for Issue of Duplicate DL: ₹200.00
Fee for Smart Card (Form 7): ₹200.00
Total Standard Fee: ₹400.00
Note: Certain states (like Maharashtra or Karnataka) may levy an additional ₹50 to ₹100 as “Postal Charges” or “User Charges” for delivering the card via Speed Post. Total payment is usually between ₹400 and ₹450.
How to Check Status and Track Your Application
It generally takes 15 to 30 days for a duplicate DL to be processed, printed, and dispatched. You must track your application to ensure it is not stuck.
Go to the official Sarathi Parivahan portal:
https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/Select your State.
On the top right of the dashboard, click on the “Application Status” button.
Enter your Application Number (found on your SMS or fee receipt) and Date of Birth.
Enter Captcha and click “Submit”.
Scroll down to see the “Flow of the Application”. You will see green tick marks indicating completed stages. The stages are:
Scrutiny / Document Verification: Checked by RTO clerk.
Approval of DL: Digitally signed by RTO officer.
Printing of DL: Data sent to the Smart Card vendor.
DL Dispatch: Handed over to India Post.
Once dispatched, a Speed Post Tracking Number (e.g., EM123456789IN) will appear on this screen. Use the official India Post website (
indiapost.gov.in) to track the physical delivery.
Common Problems and Exact Solutions
Error 1: Payment amount deducted from bank, but Sarathi portal shows “Payment Pending” or “Failed”.
Solution: Do not pay again immediately. Wait 30 minutes. Go to the Sarathi portal -> Select State -> Click on “Fee Payments” -> Click on “Verify Pay Status” on the top menu. Enter your Application number and Date of Birth. The gateway will ping the bank, fetch the successful transaction, and update your receipt instantly.
Error 2: DL Number entered, but portal says “No Details Found”.
Solution: As explained in the prerequisite section, this means your DL is a pre-2010 offline licence and is not digitized. You must initiate a “DL Backlog Entry” request online and visit the RTO with the original document to get it uploaded to the Sarathi server.
Error 3: Application stuck at the “Scrutiny” stage for over 15 days.
Solution: For contactless (Aadhaar) applications, scrutiny should happen within 3-5 days. If it is stuck, there may be a discrepancy in your FIR or documents. Look at the “Remarks” section in the Application Status page. If no remarks are there, you must physically visit the RTO’s “Helpdesk” or “Driving Licence Section” with your application receipt to manually push the file.
Error 4: “Photo/Signature not found in the database” warning.
Solution: This happens when pulling details of an older, partially digitized DL. The portal will automatically force you into the “Non-Aadhaar route.” You will be prompted to manually upload your photo and signature and book an RTO slot for biometric capture. Follow the prompts.
Error 5: Unable to upload PDF documents due to “File Size Too Large” error.
Solution: The Sarathi portal has strict upload limits (Max 500 KB per document). Use a free online PDF compressor tool to reduce the size of your FIR and Aadhaar files before uploading. Ensure the document remains clear and readable after compression.
Official Helplines and Grievance Redressal
If you face persistent portal issues or technical errors that prevent you from completing your application, use ONLY the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) contact points:
National Parivahan Helpline Number:
1069or0120-4580888(Available between 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM).Technical Support Email:
helpdesk-sarthi@gov.in(Always include your Application Number, DL Number, State, and a screenshot of the error in your email).Grievance Portal: If the RTO is intentionally delaying the process without cause, citizens can file an official complaint via the CPGRAMS portal (
pgportal.gov.in) under the “Road Transport and Highways” department.
This information is from official sources as of February 2026. State-level processes, payment gateways, and RTO structures frequently undergo minor technical updates. Always verify exact portal behaviours, fee updates, and state-specific mandates directly on the official Parivahan portal (https://parivahan.gov.in/).
