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Independent guide by India Customer Care · Not the Parivahan government website · We never ask for your licence number, vehicle number, Aadhaar or OTP. Official services: parivahan.gov.in

Driving Licence and RC in DigiLocker and mParivahan

By ICC TeamUpdated Facts checked against official sources on

Your driving licence and RC can be kept in DigiLocker or the mParivahan app. Shown inside those apps, they are legally equal to the original cards, so you can show them at a police check. A photo, scan or saved PDF on your phone is not enough. Add the licence with its number and date of birth, and the RC with the registration and chassis details.

Apps
DigiLocker, mParivahan
Legal status
Equal to the original
Licence needs
Licence number, date of birth
RC needs
Registration + chassis/engine digits
Cost
Free
Four steps: open DigiLocker or mParivahan, fetch the licence and RC from the transport department, show them in the app at a police check, and the officer verifies them on the eChallan system. A photo of the card is crossed out. DigiLocker mParivahan 1 · Open the app LICENCE Issued document ✓ RC Issued document ✓ 2 · Fetch Photo of card Not valid 3 · Not a photo eChallan check 4 · Verified
Show the licence and RC inside the app, not a photoIllustration · not an official image
On this page
  1. Are they really valid?
  2. How to add the licence and RC
  3. When police stop you
  4. What counts and what doesn't
  5. Problems and fixes
  6. Frequently asked questions

Is a licence or RC in DigiLocker really valid?

In force Yes. In August 2018 the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways advised all states that licence and RC records in DigiLocker or mParivahan are "legally recognised at par with the original documents". Rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules was later amended (G.S.R. 1081(E), 2 November 2018) so that documents can be shown in electronic form. DigiLocker itself works under rules that treat its issued documents as equal to the originals.

States adopted this too. For example, Himachal Pradesh notified it in August 2018 and Kerala Police issued a circular in September 2018.

How do you add your licence and RC?

YouDigiLocker / transport department

Adding your licence to DigiLocker
  1. Sign in to DigiLocker with your Aadhaar-linked account
  2. Search for the driving licence from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  3. Enter your licence number (and date of birth)
  4. Does the name match your Aadhaar?No: correct the licence or Aadhaar first
  5. The licence appears under Issued Documents

DigiLocker

  1. Sign in to DigiLocker (app or website) with your Aadhaar-linked account.
  2. Licence: search for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways driving licence and enter your licence number and date of birth.
  3. RC: search for "Registration of Vehicles", choose the state, and enter the registration number and the chassis details asked for.
  4. Find both under Issued Documents.

mParivahan

  1. Install the official mParivahan app and sign in with your mobile number.
  2. Licence: add it with your licence number and date of birth.
  3. RC: enter the vehicle number, choose to add it to your dashboard as a virtual RC, and verify it with the last 4 digits of the chassis number and engine number.

✔ You'll know it worked when the licence or RC opens inside the app with your details, and in DigiLocker it is listed under Issued Documents.

What happens when police stop you?

  • Open the licence and RC inside DigiLocker or mParivahan and show them.
  • The officer checks them on the eChallan system against the national licence and vehicle records.
  • Insurance: insurance data is sent to VAHAN every day. If the policy shows as valid there, the 2018 advisory says a paper copy is not to be insisted on.
  • If a document is impounded, it is recorded electronically in the records; the advisory says no physical seizure is needed.

What counts as your licence or RC, and what doesn't?

Counts as the original

  • The licence or RC under Issued Documents in DigiLocker.
  • The licence or virtual RC in the mParivahan app.
  • The physical card.

Doesn't count

  • A photo or scan of the card, or a WhatsApp image. The Ministry's 2019 procedure says documents that are not in DigiLocker or mParivahan are not treated as equal to the originals.
  • A file you uploaded yourself to DigiLocker (Uploaded Documents).
  • A PDF downloaded and opened outside the official apps.
  • Other apps that show vehicle details.

Lost the physical card? You can keep driving with the digital licence while you apply for a duplicate licence or a duplicate RC.

What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?

Your situationWhat it usually meansWhat to do
"No record found" for the licenceAn old licence never added to the national database, or the number typed in a different formatType it exactly as printed. If it still fails, ask the issuing RTO for a backlog entry.
Name mismatch errorDigiLocker needs the licence name to match Aadhaar exactlyCorrect the licence name, or correct Aadhaar.
RC not foundA wrong registration or chassis entry, or a record problemCheck against the RC, then contact the RTO.
mParivahan won't verify the RCChassis or engine digits typed wronglyEnter the last 4 digits exactly as on the RC.
Police won't accept a photoPhotos are not validOpen the document inside DigiLocker or mParivahan.
DigiLocker record still missingA technical problemRaise a ticket at support.digilocker.gov.in with a screenshot of the error.

Assam ran a time-bound drive in 2023 to digitise old manual licences; licences not digitised in that window were declared invalid there. If you hold an old paper licence, check your state's notices.

Frequently asked questions

Is a driving licence in DigiLocker valid?

Yes. The Ministry's 2018 advisory treats it as equal to the original, and the rules allow documents in electronic form.

Is a screenshot or photo of my licence valid?

No. Show the licence inside DigiLocker or mParivahan.

Do I need to carry paper insurance?

Not if your policy shows as valid in the national insurance data that police see on the eChallan system.

Will police take my physical licence?

Under the 2018 advisory, impounding is recorded electronically, so a physical seizure isn't needed.

Why does DigiLocker say no record found?

Usually the licence is old and was never added to the national database. Ask the issuing RTO for a backlog entry.

What do I need to add my RC to mParivahan?

The vehicle number and the last 4 digits of the chassis and engine numbers.

Can I add my PUC certificate?

The rules allow a PUC certificate in electronic form, but we could not confirm that DigiLocker issues it in every state. Keep the PUC receipt, or check it on VAHAN.

Does it cost anything?

No. DigiLocker and mParivahan are free.

Sources

  1. PIB – DigiLocker and mParivahan documents at par with originals (9 Aug 2018) and print version: eChallan, insurance, no physical seizure (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  2. Kerala Police circular 25/2018 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  3. Transport Department, Himachal Pradesh – notification (Aug 2018) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  4. Transport Department, Odisha – DigiLocker: amendment of rule 139 (G.S.R. 1081(E), 2 Nov 2018) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  5. DigiLocker – help guide: Issued Documents, name match, support tickets (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  6. Government circular on DigiLocker's legal basis (G.S.R. 711(E), 2017) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  7. Transport Department, Odisha – order with mParivahan virtual RC steps (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  8. Transport Department, Assam – digitisation of manual licences (2023) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
  9. PIB – SOP for acceptance of transport related information in electronic form (20 Sep 2019): only DigiLocker and mParivahan copies are at par with originals (accessed 25 Oct 2026)

Page history: 25 Oct 2026: first published. 25 Oct 2026: sources limited to government websites.

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