Motor vehicle department offices in Kerala appears to have imposed restrictions on the use of digital copies of documents, despite urging citizens to switch to digital licenses. Applications for license renewals and several other services still require physical copies of old card-type licenses. Digital copies from platforms such as DigiLocker and mParivahan are not accepted. The Motor Vehicles Department, which promoted the use of the apps after stopping license printing, has yet to adopt the policy in its own offices.

Since November, the state has stopped printing physical licenses, but the department insists that only digital copies issued after the stop in physical printing are acceptable. This position has been criticised as legally unsound. When the DigiLocker system was introduced in 2018, the Kerala government issued a circular recognising the validity of e-documents. The transport commissioner and police chief also directed officials to accept digital copies. In a directive issued on November 14, the transport commissioner reiterated that digital records have retrospective validity from 2018. Similarly, under Rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, digital copies are acceptable.

Although online availability of records has reduced the need for duplicate licenses, the department has retained revenue-generating service of physical copies. Obtaining a physical license copy costs Rs 1,205, including service charges, whereas digital copies are free on DigiLocker. However, license renewals still mandate physical copies of old licenses. Those without the original are compelled to apply for a duplicate.