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: 

  1. Enter the website mParivahan under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  2. 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)
  3. Choose the respective state from the option ‘Select State Name’ appearing on the next page
  4. Select ‘Replacement of DL’ from the options available in the next page
  5. Enter driving licence number, date of birth, and captcha, and click Get DL details.
  6. Confirm the details appearing in the next page are correct and select the RTO office. Now click proceed. 
  7. Upload a passport size photo, signature and attested copy of the licence 
  8. Option to pay the fee Rs 245 will be available in the next page.