Lost Driving Licence: Apply Duplicate Online India (2026)

What Counts as a Lost Licence

Three situations call for a duplicate licence under Form LLD:

• Lost: you misplaced it; could not find it after a thorough search
• Stolen: your wallet, bag, or vehicle was stolen with the licence inside
• Mutilated: water damage, washing machine, fire, or any other condition that makes the smart card unreadable
• Worn out: old plastic licences (pre-smart-card) that have faded photos or unreadable details

Filing an FIR First

If your licence was lost or stolen, head to the nearest police station first. The FIR (First Information Report) is your legal record that the licence is missing; it also prevents misuse if someone else picks up the card.

• Visit nearest police station: within a few days of realising the loss
• Carry ID proof: Aadhaar, PAN, or passport to establish your identity
• State exact details: DL number (if you remember it), date of loss, last known location
• Get FIR copy: police hand over a signed copy or a digital receipt; preserve this
• Online FIR in some states: Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka allow zero-FIR online via state police portals
• Lost report alternative: for non-cognisable loss, some states accept a Lost Article Report (LAR) instead of a full FIR

Documents Required

• FIR copy: for lost or stolen licences
• Mutilated licence: submit the damaged card; only for damage cases
• Form LLD: Licence Linked Document, downloaded from Sarathi
• Aadhaar card: for e-KYC verification
• Address proof: Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, or utility bill under 3 months
• Three passport-size photographs: recent, white background
• Affidavit: required in some states declaring the licence is lost and not surrendered
• Old licence details: DL number, RTO of issue, date of issue (check old e-challan or insurance documents if you have lost the card)

How to Apply for a Duplicate

1. File FIR: Visit the nearest police station, file the FIR, and keep the receipt.
2. Open Sarathi Parivahan: Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. Pick your state. Click Driver Licence Related Services.
3. Find your old DL number: Use the Find Application Number feature with your name and DOB if you have lost the card and forgotten the number.
4. Choose Issue of Duplicate DL: From the service list, pick Issue of Duplicate Driving Licence.
5. Fill Form LLD: Mark reason as Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated. Upload FIR copy or the damaged card.
6. Complete e-KYC: Verify identity with Aadhaar OTP. Upload supporting documents.
7. Pay fees: Pay approximately Rs 200 to Rs 400 via UPI, net banking, or card.
8. RTO visit if asked: Some states ask for a brief visit for biometric refresh.
9. Track and collect: Track on Sarathi using application number. The duplicate smart card is dispatched in 15 to 30 days.

Duplicate Licence Fees

Total spend across states lands between Rs 400 and Rs 600 in most cases. Late application (past licence expiry date) adds a late fee of approximately Rs 300.

Digital Licence as Stop-Gap

While the duplicate smart card is being prepared, you do not have to stay off the road. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has officially recognised digital licences on DigiLocker and the mParivahan app as fully valid for traffic checks.

• Download DigiLocker: install the app from Google Play or App Store
• Verify with Aadhaar: log in with mobile linked to Aadhaar
• Search for Driving Licence: under Issued Documents, pull your DL from the Ministry of Road Transport database
• Save digital copy: the digital DL has the same legal validity as the physical card under Rule 139 of CMVR
• mParivahan app alternative: install mParivahan, enter DL number, and pull a verified digital copy
• Traffic stop protocol: show the QR code on the digital licence; officers verify on their handheld device

Damaged or Mutilated Licence

For damaged licences (faded, broken chip, water-damaged), the process is similar to a lost-licence application, except you submit the damaged card with Form LLD. No FIR is needed in this case.

• Carry the damaged card: physically submit it at the RTO during your slot visit
• Form LLD with Mutilated checkbox: mark the reason as Damaged or Mutilated
• No FIR needed: police report is not required for damage cases
• Same fee structure: approximately Rs 200 to Rs 400 in most states
• Same timeline: 15 to 30 days for new smart card dispatch

Mistakes That Hold Up Duplicates

• No FIR: applying without an FIR for lost or stolen licences gets the file rejected
• Wrong DL number: guessing the licence number wrong creates a mismatch; use Sarathi Find Application Number or DigiLocker to recover it
• Old address on application: if you have moved, file address change first; otherwise the duplicate card goes to the old address
• Blurry FIR scan: upload a clear, full-page scan; cropped or shadow-affected scans are rejected
• Skipping affidavit: some states require a sworn affidavit; check your state-specific list before applying

Lost Licence and Insurance Claims

Frequently Asked Questions