Duplicate Driving Licence Online: Apply and Download (2026)
Losing your driving licence is stressful, but getting a reprint is simple. You can apply for a duplicate driving licence online through the Parivahan Sarathi portal, pay the fee, and track the process without repeated RTO visits. Once approved, you can download the digital copy of your licence right away while the physical smart card is printed and dispatched.
When Do You Need a Duplicate Driving Licence?
A duplicate DL is a reprint of your existing licence with the same DL number. You need one when your original licence is lost or misplaced, stolen (report it to the police first), damaged, torn, or so faded that it is no longer readable. A duplicate is not a renewal. Renewal applies when your licence has expired or is about to expire. If your DL is valid but you cannot produce it physically, the duplicate route is the right one. Before you apply, check your licence details and validity at VahanDetail’s driving licence check guide, and if your licence has actually expired, follow our driving licence renewal guide instead.
Documents You Need Before Applying
Gather these before you start the online form so the process takes minutes, not days. Age and address proofs accepted on the portal include Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN (for age), utility bills, and rent agreement.
| Situation | Documents needed |
|---|---|
| Lost or stolen DL | Copy of FIR or police complaint, age proof, address proof |
| Damaged but readable DL | The damaged DL card, age proof, address proof |
| Torn or mutilated DL | The remains of the card, age proof, address proof |
Keep scanned copies ready in the formats the portal asks for (usually JPG, within the stated size limits). File the FIR first: if your licence was lost or stolen, register a complaint at your local police station or on the state police’s online complaint portal before opening the Sarathi application. You need the FIR copy as a supporting document, and the complaint also protects you if the licence is misused.
Select state on Sarathi
Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state from the drop-down.
Choose Services on Driving Licence (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/Others)
Look for the services menu for existing licences and choose the renewal or duplicate option.
Verify OTP and choose Issue of Duplicate DL
Enter your DL number or mobile number, verify the OTP, and choose ‘Issue of Duplicate DL’ as the service type.
Upload documents incl. FIR for lost DL
Upload the required documents, including the FIR copy for lost or stolen licences and a scan of the damaged card where applicable.
Pay the fee
Pay the duplicate DL fee online (around Rs 500 in most states) and keep the receipt.
Note the application number and download the digital DL after approval
Note down your application number, then download the digital DL from Sarathi, DigiLocker, or mParivahan once approved.
How to Apply for a Duplicate Driving Licence Online
The application runs on the national Sarathi portal at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Option labels can differ slightly from state to state, but the flow is consistent.
- Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state from the drop-down. You will be redirected to your state’s Sarathi page.
- Look for the services menu related to existing licences, typically labelled “Services on Driving Licence (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/Others)”.
- Enter your DL number or mobile number as prompted, and verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number. If your mobile number has changed, you may need to update it at the RTO first.
- Fill in the application form: personal details, address, and licence class. When asked for the service type, choose “Issue of Duplicate DL” or the similarly worded option.
- State the reason for the duplicate (lost, stolen, or damaged) and upload the required documents, including the FIR copy for lost or stolen licences and a scan of the damaged card where applicable.
- Pay the fee online. The duplicate DL fee is around Rs 500 in most states, but fees vary, so confirm the exact amount shown on the portal and keep the receipt.
- Note down your application number (also called the acknowledgement or receipt number). You will need it for tracking and downloading.
If the portal times out during payment, do not submit a second application. First check your application’s status using the acknowledgement number you received.
What Happens After You Submit
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Submitted | Your application and payment are recorded |
| Under scrutiny | RTO staff are verifying your documents |
| Approved | The RTO has accepted your application; the duplicate DL will be printed |
| Dispatched | The printed smart card has been sent to your registered address |
Scrutiny usually takes a few working days, though timelines vary by RTO. If the status stays stuck for more than a couple of weeks, visit your RTO with the acknowledgement slip or contact the state transport helpline. If any document is rejected, the portal will show the reason, and you can re-upload the corrected file. Your duplicate driving licence carries the same DL number as the original. The issue date changes to the duplicate’s issue date, but the licence validity stays tied to the original validity period.
How to Download the Duplicate DL After Approval
Once the RTO approves your application, you do not have to wait for the physical card to use your licence. Sarathi issues a digital copy:
- Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state.
- Use the DL download or print option, usually under “Print Driving Licence” or in the DL services menu. Confirm the exact label on your state’s portal.
- Enter your DL number, date of birth, and other details as asked.
- Download the PDF. This is a legally valid soft copy, and you can also save it in DigiLocker or the mParivahan app for daily use.
A soft copy stored in DigiLocker or mParivahan is accepted by traffic police across India, so download it the moment approval is granted and keep it on your phone until the physical card arrives by post.
Practical Tips to Avoid Delays
- Verify your mobile number first. OTP and tracking steps depend on the mobile number linked to your DL. If it is outdated, update it at the RTO before applying.
- Upload clean scans. Blurry FIR copies and cropped address proofs are the most common reason applications get rejected at scrutiny.
- Apply in the right state. Your application goes to the RTO that issued your original licence; another RTO cannot print a duplicate for it.
- Use DigiLocker immediately. As soon as approval shows, download the digital DL to DigiLocker or mParivahan. If stopped for checking, the digital copy in these apps is accepted nationwide.
A lost or damaged licence costs you time only if you postpone the fix. The online duplicate DL flow is one of the simplest services on Sarathi, so apply as soon as the loss is discovered and download the digital copy the moment it is approved.
How long does it take to get a duplicate driving licence?
Timelines vary by RTO, but a typical case moves from application to approval in about a week to ten working days, after which the smart card is printed and dispatched by post. Track your application status on the Sarathi portal regularly.
Do I need an FIR for a lost driving licence?
Yes. For a lost or stolen licence, Sarathi requires a copy of the FIR or police complaint as supporting documentation. File the complaint before you start the application.
Is the DL number the same on a duplicate licence?
Yes. A duplicate is a reprint of your existing licence, so the DL number stays exactly the same. Only the issue date changes to reflect the duplicate’s issuance.
Can I drive with the acknowledgement slip while waiting?
The acknowledgement slip proves you applied, but it is not a driving licence. Avoid driving until you can show a valid licence, ideally the digital copy downloaded after approval. If driving is unavoidable, confirm with your RTO what interim arrangement is acceptable in your state.
What if my DL is damaged but still readable?
You can still apply for a duplicate under the damaged-card category and upload a scan of the damaged licence. A worn or torn card fails document checks sooner or later, so getting a fresh reprint is worth it.
What is the fee for a duplicate driving licence?
The fee is approximately Rs 500 in most states, but it can vary, so confirm the exact amount displayed on the Sarathi portal during payment.
