4 easy methods to download your DL as a PDF — via Sarathi portal, DigiLocker, mParivahan app, or mobile number. Legally valid, free, and instant.
Yes — absolutely. The Government of India has officially recognised digital driving licences as legally valid documents under the Motor Vehicles Act. A DL downloaded from the Sarathi Parivahan portal, stored in DigiLocker, or displayed via the mParivahan app carries the same legal weight as the physical plastic card.
This means you can show your downloaded DL PDF or the mParivahan digital copy when stopped at a traffic check, for bank KYC, at petrol pumps, or anywhere else a driving licence is required as proof of identity.
The key advantage of downloading your DL is convenience — if your physical card is lost, damaged, or not yet received by post after a recent application, the digital copy is immediately usable.
Depending on the method you choose, you will need one or more of the following details. Keep these ready before you begin:
This is the most direct method. The Sarathi portal lets you download your DL as a PDF from any browser on your phone or computer — no app download required.
Visit the official Sarathi portal. Open your browser and go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Always verify the URL ends in .gov.in before entering any details.
Select your state. Choose the state where your driving licence was issued from the dropdown list. Your DL record is stored under the state where it was originally issued.
Click on "Print Driving Licence". On the Sarathi dashboard, look for the Driving Licence menu and select "Print Driving Licence" from the dropdown options.
Enter your DL or Application Number and Date of Birth. Type your Driving Licence number or Application Number, along with your date of birth. Enter the captcha and click Submit.
Verify with OTP (if prompted). Some states require OTP verification. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it and click Verify.
Your DL will appear on screen. Click on the "Print DL" or "Download" button at the bottom to save the DL as a PDF file to your device.
Save or print the PDF. Save the downloaded PDF in a secure folder on your phone or computer. You can also print a physical copy as a backup.
DigiLocker is the Government of India's official secure cloud-based document storage platform. Your DL stored in DigiLocker is considered equivalent to the original document for all legal and official purposes.
Visit DigiLocker. Go to digilocker.gov.in or download the DigiLocker app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Sign up or log in. Register with your mobile number and Aadhaar. Set a 6-digit security PIN. Existing users can log in directly.
Search for "Driving Licence" in the search bar or browse to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under issued documents.
Select "Driving Licence" from MoRTH. Enter your DL number and date of birth in the fields provided.
Fetch the document. Click "Get Document". DigiLocker will retrieve your DL directly from the MoRTH database and save it to your account.
View or download the DL. Your DL will appear under "Issued Documents". You can view it, share it, or download the PDF at any time — even offline.
The mParivahan app is the official mobile application developed by NIC for MoRTH. It is the most convenient way to always have your DL available on your smartphone.
Download the mParivahan app. Search for "mParivahan NIC eGov" on the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone). Install the free official app.
Register with your mobile number. Open the app and enter your mobile number. Enter the OTP to verify and complete registration.
Tap on "Driving Licence Services". From the home screen, choose "Get DL Details" or "Download DL".
Enter your DL number and Date of Birth. Tap Submit. The app will fetch your DL details from the MoRTH database.
Your digital DL is now saved in the app. Your DL will appear with your photo, licence classes, validity, and a scannable QR code. Show it to traffic police at any time.
If you have registered your mobile number with the Sarathi Parivahan portal, you can download your DL using just your phone number — without needing your DL number.
Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state from the dropdown list.
Look for the "Download DL with Mobile Number" option under Driving Licence or Other Services on the Sarathi dashboard.
Enter your registered mobile number and Date of Birth, along with the captcha code shown on screen.
Verify with OTP. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it within the time limit to authenticate your request.
Download the DL PDF. After OTP verification, your driving licence will be displayed. Click "Download" or "Print DL" to save the PDF to your device.
If you have passed your Learner's Licence test and want to download the LL certificate, the process is slightly different from downloading a permanent DL.
Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select the state where you applied for your Learner's Licence.
Click on "Learner Licence" in the top navigation menu on the Sarathi dashboard.
Select "Print Learner's Licence (Form 3)" from the dropdown options.
Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth. Enter the captcha code and click Submit.
Download the Learner's Licence PDF. Your LL (Form 3) will appear on screen. Click "Print" or "Download" to save it. This digital LL is valid for 6 months.
Not sure which method to use? Here is a quick comparison to help you choose:
| Method | App Required | Aadhaar Needed | DL Number Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarathi Portal | ✖ No | ✖ No | ✔ Yes | Quick PDF download on any browser |
| DigiLocker | ✔ Optional | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | Permanent storage, auto-updated after renewals |
| mParivahan App | ✔ Yes | ✖ No | ✔ Yes | Always-available digital DL on your phone |
| Mobile Number | ✖ No | ✖ No | ✖ No | When you don't have your DL number |
This usually happens when:
Your registered mobile number on the Sarathi portal may be outdated. Update it by going to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in → Select state → Others → "Update Mobile Number". This can be done without visiting the RTO.
Disable your browser pop-up blocker, try a different browser (Chrome or Firefox work best), clear your browser cache, or try on a different device.
Your DL record may not have been migrated from your RTO to the central Sarathi database. Visit your RTO with your physical DL and request a database update. Once updated (usually within 2–3 days), your DigiLocker fetch will work.
Yes. A DL downloaded from the Sarathi portal or stored in DigiLocker / mParivahan is legally valid across India. Traffic police, banks, and other authorities are required to accept it.
Yes, as long as your application status shows "Approved" or "DL Printed," you can download the digital copy immediately without waiting for the physical card.
There is no restriction. It is free and unlimited — you can re-download it any time.
Ask your RTO to update your records on the Sarathi portal. Once updated, DigiLocker will automatically reflect the new details the next time you fetch the document.
Yes. The DL downloaded from the Sarathi portal contains a QR code that traffic police can scan using their official devices to instantly verify the authenticity of your licence.
Older licences may not be available for digital download until your RTO migrates the record to the Sarathi database. Visit your RTO with your original DL and request a migration.
No. The mParivahan digital DL is valid only within India. For international driving, apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) through the Sarathi portal.