[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by IndieGooner

I recently did my DL (Kerala) renewal via Sarathi portal. I didn't had to visit RTO but an eye test certificate from a doctor is mandatory. Another hassle was that the attachment sizes supported are small (20kb for your photo for example) which required me to do some tweaking. Renewed license arrived within a week via speed post. All in all I am quite happy that I could get the whole process done without having to stand in queues during these times.

Hello,
In Kerala, did they change DL material to smart card, or is it still the laminated one?

[IndieGooner]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Hello,
In Kerala, did they change DL material to smart card, or is it still the laminated one?

Nope, still laminated one. If anything the quality of materials used is worse than what it used to be.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by vharihar

In 2021 my wife renewed her MH-issued smartcard DL in KA (since we live in Blore now). The process was initiated totally online. Outlining steps below:

Thank you, I needed this information. My MH license though still has 3 year validity is almost a white plastic card with all the details faded . So I plan to get it renewed sometime soon.

One query though, my name is miss-spelt in the MH license. Can I do a name change as part of this renewal ? No major changes, just a couple of alphabets jumbled up mainly due to the Maharashtrian interpretation of my South-Indian name as its a commonly used name in both geography.

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Thank you, I needed this information. My MH license though still has 3 year validity is almost a white plastic card with all the details faded . So I plan to get it renewed sometime soon.

One query though, my name is miss-spelt in the MH license. Can I do a name change as part of this renewal ? No major changes, just a couple of alphabets jumbled up mainly due to the Maharashtrian interpretation of my South-Indian name as its a commonly used name in both geography.

Hmm, no idea. Sorry buddy.

[hothatchaway]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

Has anybody recently managed to get a DL extract in person from an RTO? I tried the online DL services on vahaan but unfortunately, the details of my non chip LMV licence issued by Alipore (WB02) RTO twenty years ago is not available in the vahaan database.

Will be great if somebody can chip in with the process and the forms to be filled

So I paid a visit to the Alipur RTO, armed with a letter on plain paper to get my license details uploaded online, so that I could get an extract. Was pleasantly surprised to learn that my license details, even though non chip and issued ages ago, is available on the vahaan website! Just that there is a technique of entering the number (with spaces and adding a couple of digits) which I was explained by an officer. I tried and indeed my details were available online.

Went back after a couple of days after having filled the online form and taken a printout, paid the fee of Rs 75 (DL extract) at the cash counter, went to the same officer who verified my original license and Aadhar (any govt issued photo ID would do) and gave me a stamped computer generated extract.

Was pleasantly surprised at getting such prompt service at an establishment which enjoyed a notorious reputation

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

So I paid a visit to the Alipur RTO, armed with a letter on plain paper to get my license details uploaded online, so that I could get an extract. Was pleasantly surprised to learn that my license details, even though non chip and issued ages ago, is available on the vahaan website! Just that there is a technique of entering the number (with spaces and adding a couple of digits) which I was explained by an officer. I tried and indeed my details were available online.

Happened to me as well, just that mine was issued from Guwahati some twenty years back. I didn’t have my details online and subsequently mailed DTO Kamrup in order to renew my license here in Calcutta. Took two months but they reverted back with my new number. Another 10 days and I got my renewed license from the applied RTO just as you got your’s. This prompt service is actually a very welcome change from the previous year’s. Only gripe- they have stopped issuing Manual Smart card type licenses . Carrying a laminated printout looks flimsy and is subject to curious eyes where internet is not a very useful thing !!

[tyroneshoelaces]

My license has long expired in 2006. Did not need it as I was in USA all these years. My expired license was issued in West Bengal. When I tried to check the status in the sarathi website, it says there are no records of it and it redirects me to a page called "blacklog entry". Not sure what this is, need to read up more.
From reading the above posts, it seems like my expired license details has not been added to the database. However, can it also due to the format? My expired license number is in the following format: WB XXXXX B YYY, where X and Y are numerals. So, following the instruction on the format of entering the number, I entered it as WB-ZZ200500XXXXX. The ZZ is the RTO code, 2005 is the year of issue, and I added a couple zeros to make the number 16 digit long. Did I do this correctly?

A couple more questions,

1. Given that my license has expired a long time back, do I need to get a learner's license first?
2. For proof of residency, I do not have any of the documents listed. Will a letter from the local councilor work? If not, what are my options?

Thank you.

[zadoom]

Originally Posted by tyroneshoelaces

My license has long expired in 2006.

Thank you.

Given that I went through my license application process recently, I can atleast comment on your 1st question.

My original license was a 20 year paper booklet one issued in 1999. Since the RTO was also a remote location, my license records never got digitsed. At the same time, since I was also out of country for a few years, my old license had expired by the time I came back to India.
There were 2 options available - 1) Apply for a learner's license and then the permanent license, 2) Renew against my European driver's license. I didn't opt for 2) since it would have meant that I need to submit the European license which I didn't want to since it still had 8 years of validity left.

For going through the option 1), the steps I followed were -
i) Apply on the Sarathi website at my closest RTO for a Learner's license.
ii) There are some documents like the Doctor's certificate, self declaration etc that are available - get those completed and upload on the website,
iii) Make the fee payment online, get a printout of the receipt.
iv) At the time that I did the above steps, in Maharashtra Learner's license process was not completely online but it seems now it is one of the processes that have moved completely online.
In any case, I went physically to the RTO, submitted all the papers as listed above along with originals (Address, Aadhar, PAN) along with the application form and fee payment.
v) At the RTO, it was a smooth affair, there was a policeman and another computer specialist at the desk who were reviewing the documents. Once they approved, the set of documents was sent to another desk in the same hall. This operator immediately created an online profile for the theory test.
vi) The theory test was administered at one of the 7 - 8 computers kept there. I had to get more than 9 out of 15 marks. Got 13 marks and at that very moment received an automated sms about the learner's license having been created. Reached home, downloaded the Learner's license, took a printout and Voila! you are ready to drive (though with a 'L sticker).

Some other important points -
1. In my case the RTO process turned out to be a 2 day affair because I didn't have any other Address Proof apart from Aadhar card in original. Strangely, even though the address on aadhar and the address given were the same, the policeman insisted that I get another document original for the address proof apart from Aadhar as well. Since I anyways had planned a couple of other things at the RTO for the next day as well, just brought the latest electricity bill original + photocopy to complete my documentation.
2. Within 1 month of the learner's license issuance you can apply for the permanent license as well. I received an automated reminder from RTO yesterday that I can now apply for the permanent license.
3. Like mentioned above, even in Maharashtra now this end to end process may have become online so please do check that option, you need not even go to the RTO like in my case and can get the Learner's license while sitting at home.

[kavensri]

I am trying to get LL online for my daughter, who turned 18 recently. But I am not able to get through the first step of aadhar authentication itself. I keep getting ‘authentication failed’ even after entering the correct OTP. Anyone has tried this portal recently for LL?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by kavensri

I am trying to get LL online for my daughter, who turned 18 recently. But I am not able to get through the first step of aadhar authentication itself. I keep getting ‘authentication failed’ even after entering the correct OTP. Anyone has tried this portal recently for LL?

Hi, I faced this same issue for my 18 year old as well. The root cause is possibly due to mismatches within the Aadhaar data. I had to update his biometrics and phone number and then entered the same format into the Parivahan. Even then he got a error 'relative name not in Aadhaar database'.

Ultimately, I chose the non-Aadhaar authentication mode and submitted everything online. Went offpeak with him and met the ARTO - he heard me out, made a couple of calls to his staff and resolved the matter in 5 minutes flat by personally approving the LL online test option. We came home and son cleared the online LL test in 15 minutes. .

Suggest you do the same. RTOs are empty these days due to faceless interaction.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Hi, I faced this same issue for my 18 year old as well.

I kept on trying since morning and finally I was able to do it. Just thought of updating the status here so that it will be useful for others.

[itwasntme]

Guys, my online DL renewal has been sitting with CASEWORKER4 at Yelahanka RTO (KA50) for the last 5 weeks.

Any hopes of getting it in the 'faceless' mode, or do I need to visit the RTO myself?

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Guys, my online DL renewal has been sitting with CASEWORKER4 at Yelahanka RTO for the last 5 weeks. Any hopes of getting it seamlessly or do I need to visit the RTO myself?

I'm waiting for someone to post a solution to this as well. Any chance it can be taken up by the pgportal?
https://pgportal.gov.in/

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by mvadg

I'm waiting for someone to post a solution to this as well. Any chance it can be taken up by the pgportal?
https://pgportal.gov.in/

I may be able to drop into the RTO today. Let me meet the ARTO or RTO himself and see the outcome.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I may be able to drop into the RTO today. Let me meet the ARTO or RTO himself and see the outcome.

Visited the RTO and met the ARTO. He listened politely to me and pulled up my application on his screen. Commented it may have been held up as the scans were not clear (which was generally true) as my current DL was quite faded out.

Went on to scrutinize the original DL and Aadhaar and immediately approved for the next step, which was printing . Mentioned I will get it via India Post in 10 working days.

I'd suggest visit your respective RTO and lay out your case. Most RTOs are deserted nowadays with faceless interaction and learners tests also online. Walk in and try your luck.