Download Driving Licence or RC Online in India Guide
Downloading your Driving Licence (DL) or Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) online in India is now a practical option for most drivers, whether you need a soft copy for travel, insurance, or quick verification. This guide explains what you should keep ready and how the process works on official platforms. Use the following sections to check eligibility, gather documents, and follow step-by-step instructions to download your DL or RC easily.
Eligibility and Documents Needed Before Downloading
To download your Driving Licence or RC online, you should generally have a record already issued by an Indian RTO and linked correctly with your details. For DL downloads, your licence number and basic identity details must match what’s in the RTO database. For RC downloads, the vehicle’s registration number should be active and correctly mapped to the chassis/engine details recorded at the time of registration. If your details were recently updated (address change, renewal, transfer), it may take some time to reflect online.
The most common eligibility requirement across portals is access to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar or the one used during vehicle/licence services. This is because OTP verification is often required to fetch documents securely. If you don’t have access to the linked number, you may still be able to use Parivahan services with alternative verification steps, but DigiLocker-based downloads typically work best when Aadhaar is active and your mobile number is up to date.
Keep a few essentials ready before you begin: your Driving Licence number (for DL) or vehicle registration number (for RC), your date of birth (often needed for DL verification), and Aadhaar-linked mobile access for OTP. It also helps to have your vehicle details handy (last 5 digits of chassis number are sometimes requested) and a stable internet connection. Finally, ensure you’re using official platforms only—avoid third-party websites that promise “instant downloads” without verification.
Step-by-Step Download via Parivahan and DigiLocker
Download using Parivahan (official transport service portal): Start by visiting the Parivahan service site and navigating to the document-related services (often under online services). Choose whether you’re accessing Driving Licence services (Sarathi) or Vehicle/RC services (Vahan), depending on what you need. Enter the requested details—DL number and DOB for licence-related checks, or registration number and other vehicle identifiers for RC. Complete OTP or verification prompts, then look for options like “Print,” “Download,” or “View” to save a PDF or generate a printable copy.
Download using DigiLocker (most commonly accepted digital copy): Install the DigiLocker app or use the web version and sign in with your mobile number. Complete Aadhaar-based verification if prompted, as this helps DigiLocker fetch government-issued documents seamlessly. In the “Issued Documents” or “Search Documents” area, select the issuer (typically “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways”) and choose the document type—Driving Licence or Registration Certificate. Enter details like DL number or registration number and confirm; once fetched, the document appears in your DigiLocker account and can be downloaded or shared.
After downloading, verify that the name, licence number/registration number, and validity dates are correct. For many everyday uses—traffic checks, rentals, and basic verification—DigiLocker documents are widely accepted. Still, keep in mind that certain cases (like some bank processes, international travel, or legal submissions) may require a physical card or certified print. If the document doesn’t fetch, double-check spelling/number formats, try again later, or contact your RTO if your record isn’t updated digitally.
Getting your DL or RC online in India is mainly about having the right details and using the correct official route. Once your licence or registration information is properly available in government records, Parivahan and DigiLocker make it easy to view, download, and store your documents securely. If you face errors, it’s usually due to mismatched details, OTP issues, or pending updates—fixing those typically resolves the download problem quickly.