When driving or riding your vehicle in Kerala, it's crucial to ensure that you do not carry an expired driving licence. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, only valid DL holders are permitted to drive or ride their vehicles. Therefore, it is imperative to renew your DL when necessary to avoid traffic violations. This article aims to provide comprehensive guidance on the process of renewing your driving licence in detail.
Steps to renew a driving licence in Kerala
Your driving licence needs to be renewed on or after the expiry of its validity. A driving licence is valid for 20 years from the date of issue or till you turn 50 years of age, whichever happens earlier. For a commercial licence, the licence must be renewed after every three years. A grace period of 30 days is granted for renewal of driving licence.
If the licence holder applies for renewal within 5 years from the date of expiry, then a driving test won’t be necessary.
Offline process
Here are the steps to renew the DL in Kerala offline:
- Visit the nearest RTO.
- Carry the duly filled forms as mentioned above. You can download them on the Parivahan portal.
- Submit the forms along with the required documents.
- Pay the fees and retain the receipt.
- After verification, the driving licence will be sent to the registered address.
Online
Here are the steps to renew driving licence in Kerala online:
- Visit the Parivahan website.
- Navigate to the ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ under the ‘Online Services’ menu on the homepage.
- Enter the state from the drop-down menu where the licence is registered.
- Click on ‘Apply for DL Renewal’.
- Enter details such as the date of birth, driving licence number, and captcha code.
- Select ‘Get DL Details’ and choose the licence category, RTO, and state.
- Select ‘Proceed’ and choose the ‘DL Renewal’ option.
- Submit the online form along with the relevant documents and download the receipt.
- Visit your nearest RTO and submit the relevant documents. After verification, the DL will be sent to the registered address.
Documents required to renew your driving licence in Kerala
You will need the following documents to renew your driving licence in Kerala:
For permanent driving licence:
- Application in Form No.9
- Recent passport-size photograph (2 copies)
- Original driving licence
- Valid proof of age and residence (self-attested)
- A fee of Rs.50 with a smart card fee of Rs.200 is required to be paid
- Valid medical certificate in form No.1A (for applicants above 50 years old or for commercial driving licence holders)
- In case of original driving licence is from other R.T.O. or State, then N.O.C. of concerned R.T.O. should be attached.
For commercial driving licence:
- All the documents as required for a permanent driving licence.
- Driver refreshing training certificate (for HMV).
- Short refresher training course (other commercial vehicles).
How to schedule an appointment online for driving licence renewal in Kerala
Follow these steps to schedule an appointment for DL renewal in Kerala:
- Visit the Parivahan portal and select ‘Kerala’ from the list of states in the dropdown menu.
- Choose ‘Slot Booking’ under the ‘Appointments’ section.
- Select ‘LL/DL Service Slot Booking’.
- Enter your date of birth, application number, and other details as mentioned.
- Enter the captcha code as provided on your screen and click on ‘Submit’
- Choose an appointment slot. You need to visit the RTO as per the chosen slot.
Driving licence renewal fees in Kerala
Particulars | Fees (in Rs.) |
Renewal of Driving Licence within grace period (Renewal Fee + Smart Card) | 400 |
Renewal of Driving Licence after grace period(Renewal Fee + Smart Card) | 500 |
Additional fee for delay in renewal each year | 1,000 |
Grace period for renewal of driving licence in Kerala
A grace period of 30 days is granted for renewal of driving licence. Within this period, the applicant won’t have to pay any additional fee while applying for renewal. After the grace period, the applicant will have to pay an additional fee (mentioned above) while renewing their DL.
Driving licence and motor insurance – essential documents for vehicle owners
Your driving licence and motor insurance go hand in hand. While your licence shows you're legally allowed to drive, your car insurance or two-wheeler insurance covers you financially in case of unforeseen damages on the road. Without insurance, you could face penalties or legal problems since it is a mandatory requirement for all vehicle owners in India.
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