Ministry of Road Transport & Highways  ·  Government of India

Everything About
Parivahan Sewa
In One Place

Apply for a driving licence, renew your RC, pay eChallan, and access every RTO service online — no queues, no agents, fully digital.

36+States & UTs
20+Online Services
24/7Portal Access
100%Govt. Backed
Overview

What Is Parivahan Sewa?

India's centralised digital gateway for all road transport citizen services, built and maintained by MoRTH and NIC.

For decades, every interaction with India's Regional Transport Offices demanded physical visits, stacks of paperwork, and full working days lost in queues. Parivahan Sewa — launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in partnership with the National Informatics Centre — permanently changed that reality.

The platform operates through two flagship sub-portals. VAHAN manages everything related to motor vehicles: registration, road tax, fitness certificates, permits, and ownership transfers. Sarathi handles everything related to the driver: learner's licences, permanent DLs, renewals, duplicates, and test slot bookings.

Both systems draw from and contribute to a single unified national transport database, ensuring records remain consistent regardless of which state or RTO you interact with. Alongside these, eChallan digitises traffic fine collection, while the mParivahan app stores your RC and DL as legally valid documents on your phone.

Scale: Parivahan Sewa processes tens of millions of transactions annually — spanning new vehicle registrations, licence applications, tax collections, and challan settlements — making it one of the largest citizen-facing government digital platforms in South Asia.
Primary Portals

parivahan.gov.in & sarathi.parivahan.gov.in

Managed By

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Govt. of India

Coverage

All 36 states and union territories — 24×7 on all devices

Who Can Use It

Citizens, dealers, RTOs, insurers, and transport operators

Sarathi Portal

Licence Related Services

From your first learner's licence to international permits — manage every stage of your driving credentials online.

Drivers & Learners Licence

Apply fresh, download your DL instantly, renew before expiry, or add a new vehicle class — entirely paperless through Sarathi.

Get Started

Driving School Licence

Institutions can apply for, renew, or modify their official Driving Training School accreditation through the portal.

Apply Now

Book Test Appointment

Book, reschedule, or cancel driving test and RTO appointment slots online without stepping outside your door.

Book Slot

Check DL Status

Instantly verify whether your DL application is pending, approved, dispatched, or requires any additional action.

Check Status

Duplicate DL

Lost, stolen, or damaged licence? Apply for a replacement online and receive your duplicate at your registered address.

Apply

Sarathi Dashboard

A single dashboard for RTOs, dealers, and citizens to track all active licences, permits, and pending applications.

Open Dashboard
VAHAN Portal

Vehicle Related Services

Register a new vehicle, transfer ownership, pay road tax, and verify your RC status — all through VAHAN.

Vehicle Registration (RC)

Register a new vehicle, renew your RC certificate, apply for a duplicate, or update your address on the registration record.

Register

Fancy Number Allocation

Bid for and reserve a personalised, memorable registration number through the government's official e-auction system.

Bid Now

National Permit

Apply, renew, or verify national and state transport permits for goods vehicles and commercial transport operators.

Get Permit

Road Tax Payment

Calculate and pay your state road tax online instantly, with a digital receipt that is valid across all RTOs nationwide.

Pay Tax

eChallan — Pay Fines

Check all pending traffic challans against your DL or vehicle number and settle them securely online — no court visit needed.

Pay Challan

VAHAN Dashboard

The official portal for dealers, RTOs, and citizens to access national vehicle registration data and process service requests.

Open VAHAN
Benefits

Why Parivahan Sewa Matters

Real, measurable advantages that impact millions of Indian citizens every single day.

Saves Hours, Not Just Minutes

Tasks that once required a full-day RTO visit — licence renewal, ownership transfer, tax payment — now take under 20 minutes from any internet-connected device.

Complete Application Transparency

Every submission generates a unique reference number. Track your application's exact status in real time — no more chasing clerks for updates.

Access Anytime, from Anywhere

The web portal and mParivahan app are available 24×7 from any device. A remote village and a metro city now have equal access to every transport service.

Lower Total Cost

Eliminate travel expenses, agent commissions, and unofficial payments. All fees are government-prescribed and paid directly online at published rates.

Unified National Database

Your DL, RC, challans, and permits are stored in one linked national system — verifiable by any RTO, traffic police unit, or insurer across India.

Built-In Fraud Prevention

Fully digitised records with Aadhaar linking make it virtually impossible to issue, hold, or use fake transport documents — protecting citizens and enforcement alike.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply for a Driving Licence Online

The complete two-stage Sarathi Parivahan process — from learner's licence to permanent DL.

Stage 1 — Learner's Licence (LL)

Completed entirely online. Valid 6 months — hold for at least 30 days before applying for a Permanent DL.

1

Open Sarathi & Select Your State

Navigate to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Select your home state from the dropdown — choosing correctly is essential to reaching the right RTO's system.

2

Choose "Apply for Learner Licence"

Select the Learner Licence option from the state menu. Log in with your mobile number or create an account linked to your Aadhaar for identity verification.

3

Fill the Application Form

Enter your full legal name, date of birth, address, blood group, and emergency contact. Every detail must exactly match your identity documents — discrepancies cause delays or rejection.

4

Upload Supporting Documents

Scan and upload clear copies of identity proof, address proof, age proof, and a recent passport-size photograph on a white background — within the portal's file size limits.

5

Pay the ₹200 Fee Online

Complete payment via UPI, net banking, or card. Download and save your payment acknowledgement — it is your reference for all future correspondence.

6

Clear the Traffic Knowledge Test

Most states offer the mandatory MCQ test within the Sarathi portal — covering road signs, traffic rules, and safe driving practices. Minimum passing score: 57%.

7

Receive Your Learner's Licence

Upon passing, your LL is generated digitally and sent to your registered email. Physical LL cards are dispatched to your address within a few working days where applicable.

Hold your LL for at least 30 days — and within its 6-month validity — before applying for a Permanent DL.

Stage 2 — Permanent Driving Licence

Requires one physical RTO visit for the practical test. DL dispatched by post within 7–14 working days.

1

Return to Sarathi & Select "Apply for DL"

Enter your LL number, date of birth, and complete OTP verification. Upload your LL copy, address proof, and a fresh photograph.

2

Pay ₹200 DL Fee + ₹300 Test Fee

Complete both payments online and download your official receipt before booking your test appointment.

3

Book Your RTO Test Appointment

Use the Sarathi slot-booking system to schedule your practical driving test. You can reschedule online up to 24 hours before your appointment.

Metro RTOs fill weeks in advance — try an adjoining district RTO for an earlier date.

4

Attend the RTO & Pass the Practical Test

Carry all original documents and your printed application receipt. After passing, your Permanent DL is dispatched to your registered address within 7–14 working days.

Eligibility Requirements

16 yrs — Gearless <50cc (parental consent)
18 yrs — All motorcycles, cars & LMVs
20 yrs — Commercial transport vehicles
Physical & mental fitness (Form 1 / 1A)
Pass traffic knowledge test

Documents Required

Identity Proof — Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, or PAN
Address Proof — Aadhaar, Passport, or utility bill (<3 months)
Age Proof — Birth certificate or Class 10 marksheet
Passport-size Photograph on white background
Learner's Licence (for Permanent DL only)
Form 1 or 1A — fitness declaration / medical certificate
Government Fee Schedule

Driving Licence Fee Structure 2025

All fees are government-prescribed and payable directly through Sarathi Parivahan — no agent or middleman required.

₹200
Learner's Licence — Fresh Application
₹200
Permanent DL — Fresh Issue
₹300
Practical Driving Test Fee (per attempt)
₹200
DL Renewal (within grace period)
₹250
Duplicate DL — Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
₹500
Adding a New Vehicle Class to Existing DL
₹1,000
International Driving Permit (IDP)
₹300+
Late Renewal — After Expiry Grace Period
Traffic Fines

How to Check & Pay Your eChallan

Traffic challans in most Indian states are now issued exclusively in digital format. Clear yours in minutes, without a court visit.

01
Open the eChallan Portal

Go to parivahan.gov.in → Online Services → eChallan, or visit echallan.parivahan.gov.in directly.

02
Click "Challan Status"

Under "Check Online Services," click Challan Status to begin searching for pending fines.

03
Enter Your Identifier

Enter one of: your Challan Number, Driving Licence Number, or Vehicle Registration Number.

04
Review Challan Details

Click Get Details to retrieve all pending challans — offence type, date, issuing authority, and fine amount.

05
Pay Online Securely

Select the challan(s) and click Pay Now to settle via UPI, net banking, or card. Download your payment receipt.

⚠ Do Not Ignore Pending Challans

Unresolved eChallans block your RC renewal and attract escalated penalties. Check regularly, especially if you drive through camera-monitored corridors.

Official Documents

Official Forms — Download Links

Mandatory Motor Vehicles Act forms required for licence applications, vehicle registration, and ownership transactions.

Driving Licence Forms

FormPurpose
Form 1Physical and mental fitness self-declaration — required for all non-transport DL applications and renewals
Form 1ACertified medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor — mandatory for commercial/transport vehicle licences
Form 2Core application form for new DL, renewal, duplicate request, or any modification to an existing licence
Form 4AApplication for grant of Permanent Driving Licence after completing the LL holding period
Form 5Driving proficiency certificate from an accredited school — accepted in lieu of RTO practical test in some states
Form 8Application to add a new vehicle class endorsement onto an existing driving licence

Vehicle Registration Forms

FormPurpose
Form 25Application for renewing a vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC) before or after expiry
Form 26Application for a duplicate RC when the original is lost, stolen, or physically destroyed
Form 28No Objection Certificate (NOC) application — required before transferring a vehicle to another state
Form 29Formal notice of vehicle ownership transfer submitted by the seller to the RTO
Form 30Ownership transfer application submitted by the buyer at their local RTO
Form 35Application to cancel a hypothecation (loan) agreement after the vehicle loan is fully repaid
Support

Parivahan Helpdesk Contacts

Reach the right support team directly. Faster resolution starts with the correct email address.

VAHAN Services

Vehicle Registration, RC Renewal, Fitness Certificate, Road Tax, National Permit, Dealer Registration

helpdesk-vahan [at] gov.in
Sarathi — DL Services

Learner Licence, Permanent DL, DL Renewal, Duplicate DL, Address Changes, Test Bookings

helpdesk-sarathi [at] gov.in
mParivahan App

Mobile App Issues, DigiLocker Integration, App Login Problems, Digital Document Queries

helpdesk-mparivahan [at] gov.in
eChallan Disputes

Challan Disputes, Payment Failures, Challan Status Issues, Wrongful Fine Queries

helpdesk-echallan [at] gov.in
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed answers to the questions most commonly asked by Indian vehicle owners and drivers.

Q1What is Parivahan Sewa and who manages it?
Parivahan Sewa is the Government of India's official unified platform for all road transport citizen services. It is developed and operated by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) on behalf of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The platform serves all 36 states and UTs, connecting citizens, RTOs, traffic police, insurers, and transport operators through a shared national database.
Q2Can I complete the entire driving licence process without visiting an RTO?
Most of the process — application, document upload, fee payment, and the Learner's Licence knowledge test — can be completed entirely online via sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. However, the practical driving test for the Permanent DL still requires a physical RTO visit. A brief biometric visit is also needed for renewals and duplicates in most states.
Q3How can I verify vehicle owner details using just the registration number?
Visit parivahan.gov.in and use the "Know Your Vehicle Details" tool. Enter the registration number and complete the captcha. The system displays RC validity, insurance expiry, PUC status, and vehicle class. Full owner identity details are restricted to authorised agencies to protect citizen privacy.
Q4A challan has been wrongly issued against my vehicle — how do I dispute it?
Visit echallan.parivahan.gov.in, retrieve your challan details, and select "Dispose in Court" — this routes the matter to the appropriate traffic court. You may also email helpdesk-echallan [at] gov.in with your challan number, vehicle details, and supporting evidence such as GPS records or photographs.
Q5Is the mParivahan app accepted as a valid substitute for physical documents?
Yes — completely. Following the 2019 amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, digital documents in mParivahan or DigiLocker are fully legally valid and must be accepted by all enforcement authorities across India. If a police officer refuses to accept your digital document, you may note their badge number and file a grievance with the state transport department.
Q6What is the difference between VAHAN and Sarathi?
VAHAN is vehicle-centric — managing RC issuance, road tax, fitness certificates, permits, hypothecation, and ownership transfers. Sarathi is driver-centric — managing learner's and permanent licences, renewals, duplicates, test bookings, and driving school accreditations. Both share a common national database under the Parivahan Sewa umbrella.
Q7How long does it take to receive the physical driving licence card?
After passing your driving test, your Permanent DL is typically dispatched within 7 to 14 working days via India Post Speed Post. Track dispatch status anytime on the Sarathi portal. If the card has not arrived within 30 days of the expected dispatch date, raise a grievance through Sarathi's online redressal system.
Q8Can I transfer a vehicle to another state through Parivahan Sewa?
Yes. Apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original state's RTO using Form 28 via VAHAN. Once issued, re-register with the destination state's RTO using Form 29 and Form 30, and pay the new state's road tax. Most states process NOCs digitally within 5–7 working days.

Ready to Get Started?

Access every transport service India's official Parivahan portal offers — no queues, no agents, fully digital.