Rs 200 and postal charges: Here's how to get smart card version of driving licence
Thiruvananthapuram: The Minister of Transport, Antony Raju, has announced that holders of laminated driving licenses may now convert their licenses to the new smart card format by paying a fee of Rs 200, plus necessary postal charges. The new PETG cards are designed in the same style as ATM cards and are considered to be highly secure, with tamper-proof features.
To apply for the new smart license, license holders are not required to submit their old license cards. They can apply through the Parivahan portal, and for a limited time, there is a relaxation in the fee. However, this relaxation in fee will only be available this year. After this period, a fee of Rs 1200 and any applicable postal charges will be required.
Beginning May 1, vehicle registration certificates will also be converted into PETG cards.
The smart cards will have a unique identification number, a pattern visible only under ultraviolet light, a guilloche pattern (similar to those in currencies), a borderline with micro letters, a hologram, India’s image that changes its colour with light, and a QR code.
Steps to apply for smart licence via Parivahan portal:
- Enter the website mParivahan under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- Click the option ‘Online Services’ and choose ‘Driving Licence Related Services’ from the drop down menu (Click hamburger button to see the option ‘Online Services’ in your mobile phone)
- Choose the respective state from the option ‘Select State Name’ appearing on the next page
- Select ‘Replacement of DL’ from the options available in the next page
- Enter driving licence number, date of birth, and captcha, and click Get DL details.
- Confirm the details appearing in the next page are correct and select the RTO office. Now click proceed.
- Upload a passport size photo, signature and attested copy of the licence
- Option to pay the fee Rs 245 will be available in the next page.