Kerala driving licence renewal rules change from August 15: 2 major updates motorists need to know

The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has announced two major changes to driving licence rules, bringing back earlier benefits for motorists. The amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act will take effect from August 15.

The changes concern the grace period after a driving licence expires and the validity period given to those who renew their licences early. The MVD explained the amendments in a video briefing shared on its official social media handle on Thursday. 

30-day grace period returns

The most significant change is the return of the 30-day grace period after a driving licence expires.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, motorists had a one-month window to renew an expired licence. The licence continued to remain valid during this period.

However, a 2019 amendment removed this provision. After the change, a driving licence became invalid as soon as its validity period ended.

From August 15, the 30-day window will be restored. This means motorists will have 30 days after the expiry of their licence to complete the renewal process while retaining the validity of the document during the grace period.

The move is expected to help motorists who may miss their licence expiry date because of work, personal commitments or other reasons.

Early renewal will not reduce validity

The second amendment deals with motorists who renew their driving licences before the existing licence expires.

Under the earlier system, motorists could apply for renewal up to one year before the expiry of their licence. However, the renewed licence period could begin from the date the renewal application was approved.

This meant that part of the existing licence validity could overlap with the new validity period. As a result, motorists who renewed their licences early could lose some months from the original validity period.

The new amendment changes this rule.

New validity starts after current licence expires

Under the revised system, the validity of a renewed driving licence will begin only after the existing licence expires.

Therefore, even if a motorist applies for renewal up to one year before the expiry date, the new validity period will not start immediately after the application is approved.

Instead, it will begin from the actual expiry date of the existing licence.

The change is intended to ensure that motorists receive the full validity period of their renewed driving licence, regardless of how early they submit their renewal application or when the MVD approves it.

Both amendments will come into force from August 15.