Driving LicenceDriving licence validity and renewal
A private driving licence is not valid for a fixed number of years. It depends on how old you are when it is issued or renewed.
Private (non-transport) licence
| Your age when it is issued or renewed | Valid |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Until you turn 40 |
| 30 to under 50 | For 10 years |
| 50 to under 55 | Until you turn 60 |
| 55 or older | For 5 years |
Example: a licence issued at 22 runs until the holder's 40th birthday, which is 18 years. A licence issued at 35 runs for 10 years, until 45.
Transport (commercial) licence
Parivahan states that a commercial driving licence is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, and that the validity of the endorsement for vehicles carrying hazardous goods has been changed from 1 year to 3 years.
Learner's licence
Six months. It can lead to a driving test after 30 days.
Renewal
- When: within one year before or after the expiry date.
- Fee: Rs 200. After the grace period: Rs 300, plus Rs 1,000 for each year or part of a year of delay.
- More than a year late: you may have to pass the driving test again or start from a learner's licence, depending on state policy.
- Medical certificate: Form 1A is asked from applicants aged 40 or above and for transport licences; Form 1 (self declaration) from everyone.
How to renew
- Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and choose your state.
- Under the Driving Licence menu choose "Services on Driving Licence (Renewal, Duplicate, AEDL, Others)".
- Fill in the form, upload documents and pay the fee.
- If your state asks you to visit, go to the RTO on the booked date with the original documents and the fee slip.
Change of address, a duplicate licence and other services are chosen from the same menu. Change of address or other particulars costs Rs 200.
Questions people ask
How long is a driving licence valid?
For private (non-transport) vehicles it depends on your age at issue: under 30, until you turn 40; 30 to under 50, for 10 years; 50 to under 55, until you turn 60; 55 or older, for 5 years. A commercial driving licence is valid for 5 years.
When can I renew my driving licence?
Within one year before or one year after the date of expiry, as per Parivahan.
What if my licence expired more than a year ago?
Parivahan says you may need to take the driving test again or get a learner's licence first, and that this depends on state policy.
Can I drive with an expired licence while waiting to renew?
No. Driving without a valid licence is an offence, and the Delhi Transport Department warns that insurance may not cover an accident after the licence has expired.
Check before you go. These facts were read on the official Parivahan website and the Delhi Transport Department website on 11 November 2026. Rules and fees change, and states add their own charges and steps. Your state's page on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in is the final word. This is not a government site.