The Parivahan Sewa portal is the official online service managed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in India. It lets citizens carry out many transport-related tasks without visiting their local RTO like applying for a driving licence, checking licence status, or downloading a digital copy of the licence.
Because it handles everything online, it’s become easier for people across more than 30 states to get and store their driving licence digitally.
Why Driving Licence download Online Makes Sense
- You don’t need to carry a physical licence card all the time. A digital copy is often enough.
- It’s convenient: you can get the soft copy on your phone and even print it if needed.
- If you lose your original paper licence, the online copy acts as a backup. That removes a lot of hassle.
Who Can Use the Driving Licence download Service
If you have a valid driving licence or learner licence issued via the official system, you should be able to download a PDF copy of it. The service supports learner licences and permanent driving licences for most states in India.
How to Download Your Driving Licence PDF — Step by Step
Downloading your driving license online has become very simple with the Parivahan Sewa portal. You no longer need to visit any transport office to get a printed copy. With just a phone or computer, anyone can access their driving license details within a few minutes. The government’s online system allows you to check, verify, and download your license from anywhere.
Method 1: Using Parivahan Sewa (Sarathi Portal)
- To begin the process, you first need to open any internet browser on your mobile, laptop, or computer. In the search bar, type “Parivahan Sewa” and open the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- This is the central platform for all transport-related services in India. Once the site loads, you may see some notifications or pop-ups simply close them and continue.
- On the home page of the Parivahan Sewa portal, you will find a menu called Online Services. Click on this option, and you will see various services related to driving licenses and vehicle registration.
- From these options, select Driving License Related Services. When you click this, the system will ask you to choose your state because license data is maintained by the respective state transport departments. Select the state where your driving license was issued.
- After choosing the state, a new page will open showing different driving-license services such as apply for new DL, update DL, and download DL.
- Here, you need to select “DL Related Application” or sometimes marked as “Print Driving License”. This section allows you to retrieve your license details.
- To continue, you must enter either your Driving License Number or Application Number, along with your Date of Birth. Fill the captcha code correctly and click submit.
- Once you submit the details, the website will display your complete driving license information. This includes your name, application number, license number, issue date, validity, and photograph.
- You will also see a button to Download PDF or Print Driving License. Click on this option to save your license on your device. You can keep it as a digital copy, print it at home, or take it to a nearby printing shop.
- This online process makes it extremely easy for anyone to access and download their driving license without any hassle.
- You no longer need to stand in queues or visit transport offices. Everything can be done within minutes from your mobile phone. If you still have any questions or face any difficulty, feel free to ask—I’m here to help!
Method 2: Using the mParivahan App
If you prefer mobile:
- Install the mParivahan app from Google Play Store / Apple App Store.
- Register/login using your mobile number (OTP verification).
- Select “Driving Licence” in the app, enter your DL number and date of birth.
- Your licence will get added as a digital licence. You can save it or view it anytime; some versions allow PDF download too.
Method 3: Using DigiLocker
DigiLocker is a secure cloud-storage platform by the government. If your licence data is registered there:
- Log in with your mobile number / Aadhaar.
- Go to “Search Documents”, choose “Driving Licence – Ministry of Road Transport & Highways”.
- Enter your DL number, click “Get Document”, then click “Download” to save PDF.
What’s Included in the Digital Driving Licence
Whether you download via Parivahan, mParivahan or DigiLocker, the digital licence usually has the same key information as a physical licence: name, date of birth, licence number, RTO details, issue date, expiry date, vehicle categories permitted, and more.
Because of that, it is treated as legally valid — you are allowed to show a digital licence during police checks or official verification.
What If It Does Not Work / Common Problems & Fixes
Sometimes downloading may fail. Here are common problems and what you can do:
- Licence not found: If entering DL number or application number shows “no record,” it might mean the RTO hasn’t updated your licence in the central database. In that case, you may need to contact your RTO to sync data.
- Incorrect or forgotten application number: Use “Search Application Number” (if available) or check old documents/emails for the correct number.
- Network or technical error: Ensure stable internet and correct browser settings; sometimes using a different browser helps.
- Mobile-app login or OTP issue (for mParivahan / DigiLocker): Make sure your mobile number is linked correctly and you receive OTP.
Is Digital DL Legally Valid in India?
Yes. According to recent guidance, a digital driving licence stored on trusted platforms like DigiLocker or mParivahan is accepted across India under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Traffic police and other authorities recognise them just like physical licences.
However, it is always good to ensure that the digital copy matches the RTO database: name, licence number, vehicle categories all must be correct.
When Should You Prefer Digital Licence Over Physical Card
- If you often forget to carry physical licence — digital copy ensures you always have access.
- If the original licence is lost or damaged — downloading a duplicate from Parivahan or DigiLocker saves time.
- For ease of sharing your licence (e.g., for job applications, vehicle booking) — digital licence is easy to attach/send without risking loss.
- When travelling — you can keep a soft copy on your phone while the original stays safe at home.
Things to Keep in Mind & Safety Tips
- Always use official platforms only Parivahan Sewa, mParivahan, DigiLocker. Avoid unverified websites or third-party apps claiming to offer DL download.
- Keep your login credentials, OTP, Aadhaar, and mobile number safe. Do not share OTP with anyone.
- If your licence details are changed (like address or name), ensure the RTO updates the record so that the digital copy remains valid.
- Even with digital DL, sometimes authorities may still ask for physical copy — having a printed version as backup may help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I print the downloaded DL PDF and use it instead of the original card?
A. Yes, you can print the PDF and carry it. That often works for identification or verification. But carrying the digital licence on phone is enough too, depending on local rules.
Q. What if my licence doesn’t appear on the Parivahan portal?
A. It might be that the RTO has not updated the database yet. Contact your local RTO to sync your licence details.
Q. Does this service work for learner licences too?
A. Yes — learner licence holders can use the same download process. On Parivahan choose “Print Learner’s Licence (Form 3)”.
Q. Is there a fee to download the licence pdf?
A. Generally, no — downloading a soft copy does not incur charges (unless you ask for a duplicate or reprint in physical form via RTO).