Having a  Driving License gives you the right to drive your vehicle freely on roads, making it the most important document required by an individual if you want to drive freely on the roads in India. In all states and UTs of India, after getting a driving license it is valid for as many as 20 years or until the holder becomes 50 years old. One can easily get the license renewed driving license in India even after the expiry, as the grace period is of up to one year.  Post this duration a new driving license is required to drive the vehicle again.

How to Renew Driving License in India?

Driving without a valid Driving License is an offense in India. This makes it necessary to renew the Driving License before its expiry date. Here’s how you can get your driving license renewed in India. 

1. First of all, you will have to submit a duly filled driving license renewal form along with your documents at the regional transport office(RTO) of your area. 
2. If you have a private license, you will most probably receive your renewed license the same day of submitting documents at the RTO, and in case you have a commercial license, the renewal is made after verification of documents, and it can take up to 30 days. 
3. You have to attach the No Objection Certificate letter if you are renewing your driving license from another state.

What is the Driving Licence Renewal Form?

The Driving License Renewal Form is also known as Form 9 that you need to submit along with other documents at the RTO office at the time of renewal of your driving license in India. 

This form includes the specifications of your current driving license and it helps the officials to process your application faster. You can get the driving license renewal form at your nearest regional transport office or can download it online as well. 

Documents required for Driving License Renewal in India

The list of documents required for renewing a driving license in India are as follows- 

• Duly filled Driving License renewal form that is Form 9

• Duly filled medical fitness declaration form that is Form 1 and application cum declaration of physical fitness form that is Form 1-A

• The expired or to be expired driving license.
• Applicant’s age and address proof.
• Three passport-sized photos.
• If you have a Commercial or transport vehicle, along with the above-mentioned documents you also need to submit the Driver Refreshing Certificate that is for heavy motor vehicles only. 

What is the Validity of Renewed Driving license in India?

Driving Licenses in India are valid for 20 years from the issuance date or till the license holder reaches 50 years, either of which comes earlier. For commercial vehicles, the driving license is valid until 3 years only. A driving license should be renewed before the expiry date.

The validity of renewed driving license is not as long as of a new license, and it is as follows- 

How to get a Duplicate Driving License in India?

In case you lose your Driving License, you would have to apply for a duplicate driving license because driving without a valid driving license is illegal.  Here’s how you get a Duplicate Driving License in India

1. First of all for a duplicate license you have to file an FIR of your missing license. 
2. After that get a copy of that FIR and get an affidavit from the notary on a stamp paper, declaring a valid reason of how you lost and license 
3. After that, you visit your nearest RTO and submit the documents along with the application form and the copy of FIR and the affidavit. The application would have to be made in LLD form available with RTO.
4. After validating the details the RTO will issue you the duplicate Driving License. 

A driving license is an essential requirement for driving a vehicle legally. Driving will be hassle-free if all the rules are followed properly, hence, renew your driving license in time if you want to drive a vehicle on Indian roads.

If you don’t have a valid driving license yet, check How to Apply For Driving License in India and generate your driving license now!