Thiruvananthapuram: While the central government provides digital driving licences free of charge, the Kerala government has imposed a Rs 200 service fee for issuing the card. 

The decision to impose such a hefty fee could hinder the Kerala MVD's latest initiative, the Download Your Driving Licence (DYDL) system, which allows license holders to access their driving licenses digitally.

The state’s Motor Vehicles Department recently raised the fee from Rs 60 to Rs 200 as part of its shift from print to digital licences, reportedly to offset revenue losses from physical card issuance.

Previously, the department charged Rs 200 for physical licence cards, despite production costs being only around Rs 60. However, the delays in distributing these cards were frequent. This was attributed to payment issues with the contracted printing agency. ITI, a central public sector entity, ceased printing services over unpaid dues exceeding Rs 14 crore, leading the Kerala government to consider in-house card printing. When this effort stalled, officials decided to adopt fully digital licences. 

Additional costs for printed copies of digital licences

Those receiving digital licences from the Kerala government may incur further costs if they wish to print physical copies for personal use. Unlike the central government’s digital licences, which are accessible through mobile apps, Kerala’s version lacks app integration. While the central digital licence is valid nationwide, the Kerala-issued digital copy may not be recognized outside the state.