The Parivahan Sarathi Portal is an official Government of India website used for all driving licence related services. It is managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Through this portal, citizens can apply for Learner Licence, Permanent Driving Licence, DL renewal, address change, duplicate DL, and appointment booking.
Every day more than 5–7 lakh users visit the Sarathi portal across India. On peak days, especially during exam seasons and DL renewal periods, the number can cross 10 lakh users per day. Because of such heavy traffic, users often face issues like payment pending, payment failed, or amount debited but status not updated.
A payment pending issue means the money is either deducted from your bank account or wallet, but the Sarathi system has not confirmed it. This is one of the most common problems on the portal and usually happens due to server load, bank delay, or network interruption.
Parivahan Quick Actions (Official Links)
Use official government portals and apps for driving licence and vehicle related services.
This is an informational website. All buttons redirect to official government platforms.How to Check Your DL Status in Sarathi’s Pending Queue
What Does “Payment Pending” Mean on Sarathi Portal
When you see Payment Pending on the Sarathi portal it means the transaction process is incomplete between three systems mainly they are :
- Your bank or payment app
- The payment gateway
- Sarathi server
In simple words, the money transfer information did not reach Sarathi server properly. According to user reports around 30–40% of payment issues happen during high-traffic hours like 10 AM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM every day so it is better to try in low traffic hours otherwise at midnight or at the morning hours.
Payment pending does not always mean your money is lost. In most cases the amount is either:
- Automatically updated within 24 to 72 hours, or
- Refunded back to your bank within 3 to 7 working days
This issue commonly appears during services like Learner Licence fee payment (₹200–₹350), Driving Licence test fee (₹300), or DL renewal fee (₹200–₹500 depending on service).
Common Reasons for Payment Pending Issue
There are many reasons why payment remains pending on the Sarathi portal. The most common ones are listed below:
- A – App crash: Browser or app closed during payment
- B – Bank server delay: Bank confirmation not sent on time
- C – Cache issue: Old browser data blocking update
- D – Double traffic: Too many users at the same time
- E – Electricity or internet failure during payment
- F – Failed redirection from bank page to Sarathi page
- G – Gateway timeout (payment gateway not responding)
Statistics show that more than 60% of pending payments are caused by bank or gateway delays, not by user mistakes. This is why most pending issues resolve automatically without any action.
How Long Does Sarathi Payment Take to Update
One of the most important questions users ask is how much time it takes for the payment status to update. Based on official guidelines and user experience:
- Instant update: 5–10 minutes (rare cases)
- Normal update time: 24 hours
- Maximum waiting time: 72 hours (3 days)
- Refund processing time: 3–7 working days
- Maximum refund time: Up to 10 working days (rare)
If your payment is still pending after 72 hours, then manual action is required. Out of 100 users, around 85–90 users see automatic resolution within 3 days. Only 10–15 users need to raise a complaint.
It is strongly advised not to make a second payment immediately, as it may lead to double deduction.
Step-by-Step Method to Fix Payment Pending Issue
Follow these steps carefully to fix the issue:
- Visit the official Sarathi portal
- Go to Application Status
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth
- Check the payment status
- Wait for at least 24–72 hours
- Clear browser cache and try again
- Use a different browser like Chrome or Edge
In many cases, just waiting and rechecking solves the problem. If the payment is successful but status is pending, the system usually syncs automatically.
Never refresh or close the page repeatedly during payment. This is one of the main causes of payment confirmation failure.
What to Do If Amount Is Debited but Status Is Pending
This is the most stressful situation for users. If money is debited but status shows pending, remember these facts:
- Your money is safe
- Sarathi follows RBI payment rules
- No money is permanently lost
Action plan:
- Save your transaction ID
- Take a screenshot of bank statement
- Wait for 72 hours
- Check application status daily
In 90% of cases, either the status updates automatically or the amount is refunded. Only if nothing happens after 3 days should you move to the next step.
How to Raise a Complaint on Sarathi Portal
If payment is pending beyond 72 hours, you must raise a complaint.
Official email IDs:
Include these details:
- Application number
- Date of birth
- Transaction ID
- Payment date
- Bank name
- Screenshot of debit proof
Response time:
- Normal reply: 3–5 working days
- Maximum resolution time: 7–10 working days
Always use your registered mobile number and email while contacting support.
Can You Make Payment Again? Important Warning
Do not make payment again unless:
- The status changes to Payment Failed, or
- You receive an official refund
Making payment again while status is pending may cause:
- Double deduction
- Application lock
- Delay of 7–15 days
Statistics show that 1 out of 5 users who repay early face double debit issues.
Always confirm status properly before retrying.
Best Time to Make Payment on Sarathi Portal
Choosing the right time reduces errors.
Best time slots:
- Early morning: 6 AM – 9 AM
- Late night: 11 PM – 2 AM
Worst time slots:
- 10 AM – 2 PM
- 6 PM – 10 PM
Using stable internet and avoiding mobile data during payment also reduces risk by nearly 40%.
Final Tips and Prevention Guide
To avoid payment pending issues in the future:
- Always use a laptop or stable device
- Keep transaction screenshots
- Avoid peak hours
- Never refresh payment page
- Use updated browsers
- Wait patiently for 72 hours
The Sarathi portal is improving every year, but due to high user volume, small issues still happen. Understanding the system saves time, money, and stress.