Kochi: A driving license holder should undergo a new driving test if the application for license renewal is submitted after one year following expiry date, rules High Court. By rejecting the petition filed by Sebastian Jacob of Ernakulam challenging the circular issued by Motor Vehicles Department earlier, Justice N Nagaresh said that, there is nothing wrong with the circular of MVD. 

The petitioner’s license had expired on October 30, 2020. The license renewal could not be done on time due to covid and he applied for the same on July 15, 2022. According to the circular issued by MVD in 2019, “an eligible person can apply for renewal of his driving license any time between one year from the date of expiry to one year after expiry.” The petitioner on the other hand, argued that, according to the Motor Vehicle Act, if the application for renewal is submitted within 5 years after expiry date, the person applied should be given the license without having to undergo a driving test .

The court dismissed the argument by referring to the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2019 which explicitly states that a person will have to undergo a new driving test if their license crosses one year after the expiry date.