Check Driving Licence Status in Mumbai: Online Process Explained

Mumbai is the most densely populated city in the country, and while public transport is considered its lifeline the number of vehicles on the road continues to increase steadily. This, in turn, leads to an increasing number of driving licence holders in Mumbai. As of 2023, Mumbai has a total of over 90 lakh driving licence holders. As per a traffic statistics report, the number of driving licences issued in 2022-23 witnessed a rise of 10% over the previous year, as per the four RTOs in the city. Tracking the status of a driving licence application has become much easier, thanks to the government's online system. Now, applicants can check their driving licence status online without visiting the RTO in person. Here are a few ways one can check their DL application status in Mumbai and stay updated about the stage of their application in the review process. 

When to Check Your DL Application Status in Mumbai?

All first-time applicants must first apply for a learner’s licence. A learner’s licence is issued for a period of 6 months. The applicant can apply for a permanent DL only after 30 days of receiving the learner’s licence, and up to 180 days from its date of issue. While applying for a permanent DL, the applicant must appear for a practical driving test and submit all necessary documents. It is only after this stage that a person would need to check their driving licence application status. 

How to Check Driving Licence Status Online in Mumbai? 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has created a centralised system for various driving and traffic-related processes on the Parivahan website. Checking the driving licence status online is one of the many services that the Parivahan website provides. Here are the steps an applicant needs to follow:

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan website at https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/

Step 2: The home page contains a section titled ‘License Related Services’. 

Step 3: Under this section, find the option titled ‘Drivers/Learner’s License’. Here, click on ‘More’. 

Step 4: This will redirect to the Sarathi.Parivahan website. Select the state from the drop down, in this case, Maharashtra.

Step 5: The driving licence services page will open. Here, skip the ‘Contactless License Services’ pop-up.

Step 6: On the top right of the page, look for the 'Application Status' button and click on it.

Step 7: On the next page, add the required details (application number and applicant’s date of birth) and pick the e-Mitra or e-District options, if the application has been applied through those portals. 

Step 8: Check the status and keep a track of any developments. 

How to Check Your Driving Licence (DL) Status in Mumbai Online via the State Transport official website?

While Parivahan is a platform created by the central government (MoRTH), every state has its own transport department website, where many driving-related processes can be completed. 

Step 1: Visit the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department website at https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in/.

Step 2: On the top panel, select ‘Citizen Services’.

Step 3: From the drop-menu that appears, select ‘License’, this will open a second drop-down menu.

Step 4: From the listed options, pick ‘Permanent’ License’. 

Step 5: The Permanent Licence page will open. Here, click on ‘Apply Online’.

Step 6: Next, the applicant will be redirected to the main Parivahan website. From here on, the steps for a Mumbai resident to check their driving licence application status is the same as checking the status on the Parivahan website, which are as follows:

Step 7: Under the ‘License Related Services’, go to the ‘Drivers/ Learners License’ box and click on the ‘More’ button. 

Step 8: On the sarathi.parivahan homepage, select ‘Maharashtra’ from the state selection drop down menu. 

Step 9: On the next page, skip the ‘Contactless License Services’ pop-up and click on the 'Application Status' button on the menu bar. 

Step 10: Fill the required details on the next page, (Application number and applicant’s DOB). 

Step 11: Press ‘Submit’, and the DL application status would appear on the screen. 

How to Check Your Driving Licence (DL) Status in Mumbai Online via Sarathi website?

Just like the Parivahan website, an applicant can also check the status of their driving licence application by directly logging on the Sarathi website. 

Step 1: Visit the Sarathi website at https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/.

Step 2: From the drop-down menu, select Maharashtra. 

Step 3: Skip the pop-up titled ‘Contactless License Services’ and click on ‘Application Status’ on the top right of the screen. 

Step 4: On the next page, add the application number and the applicant’s birth date. In case an applicant has applied through e-Mitra or e-District portals, select the appropriate option on this page.

Step 5: Press ‘Submit’, and the status will appear on the screen.

What to Keep in Mind while Checking Driving Licence (DL) Status in Mumbai Online?

Some important things to keep in mind when checking the status online are:

• Online checks for driving licence applications are only applicable for permanent licence. This is because learners’ licences are issued on the day that a new driver completes their knowledge test. 
• The Regional Transport Office (RTO), normally takes about two to three weeks to issue the permanent licence after the driving test. 
• It is much easier to check the status of the driving licence application online, rather than physically visiting the RTO. It is recommended to personally visit the RTO, should there be a delay in the process.
• The status may not always be updated in real-time due to a lag in website uploads or technical issues. Therefore, an applicant may have to visit the website more than once to see any progress in the status.
• The online driving licence application checking process is free of charge. 
• If an applicant has misplaced their application number, they can access it by going to the Sarathi.Parivahan website. Right next to the ‘Application Status’ option (top right of the website home page), one can spot the ‘Others’ tab. Click on this, and from the drop-down menu, pick ‘Find Application Number’. The applicant will be required to submit details such as their date of birth and the phone number mentioned in the application, among other details.
• The driving licence application check must be done by the applicant themselves, and the application number should not be given to any third party ‘agencies’ to check the status. 
• An applicant must submit their driving licence application on their own.. The online process makes it easy and convenient for anyone to apply and seamlessly receive their DL.

Facts about Driving Licence (DL) Status in Mumbai

The driving licence status online check can be done through three routes 1) Parivahan website, 2) Motor Vehicles Department website, or 3) Sarathi.Parivahan. However, in the case that an online check is not possible or not preferred by an applicant, they can call or visit the local RTO. The contact details of four RTOs in Mumbai are listed below.

• If the application is rejected or the process has been paused due to documentation issues. The applicant is required to visit the respective RTO. The application may be rejected based on a failed driving test, or in case of documents verification failure. Any small discrepancy in documents, like a wrong spelling or DOB mismatch, can result in verification failure.
• Once an applicant is issued their digital driving licence, they can upload their DL on the government’s DigiLocker app. The physical copy of the driving licence is usually delivered to the registered address within two weeks after the DL has been issued. 

FAQs

How long does it take to get a Driving Licence in Mumbai?

• The time taken by the Regional Transport Offices to process the verification checks for a driving licence application is about two to three weeks after the driving test is completed. Once the licence has been approved and issued to the applicant, it takes up to two weeks for the physical copy to be delivered to the registered address. The physical driving licence is mailed via speed post, and the same can be tracked through a shipment tracking number, which is provided on the status page of the application. 

How long does it take for a Driving Licence to be processed in Mumbai?

• RTOs across the country have the same timelines for issuing a new driving licence, i.e., two to three weeks for document verification. If we include the time taken by the Indian postal service to deliver the speed post in one week, the whole process takes about a month.

Can I check the status of my Driving Licence using a mobile phone in Mumbai?

• Yes, an applicant can check the status of their driving licence application through their mobile phone by visiting the Parivahan website, the Sarathi.Parivahan website, or the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department website. 

Is there a fee to check the driving licence status online in Mumbai?

• There is no fee to check the driving licence status online in Mumbai, and there are no limitations on the number of checks either.

How can I contact the Mumbai Transport Department for help?

• Any applicant can contact the Regional Transport Office closest to them to find out more details of their application. One may choose to call, email or even visit the RTO for further assistance. Contact details of the Mumbai RTOs are as follows:

1. Tardeo (Phone: 022/23532337 022/23534600 022/23534601) (Email ID: mh01@mahatranscom.in)
2. Versova Road (Phone: 022/26366957 022/26362252 022/26319821 022/26323315) (Email ID: mh02@mahatranscom.in)
3. Mumbai (East) (Phone: 022/24036479 022/24036221) (Email ID: mh03@mahatranscom.in)
4. Worli (Phone: 022/24935857) (Email ID: mh03@mahatranscom.in)

Is it mandatory to check my Driving Licence status online, or can I visit the RTO directly in Mumbai?

• While it is not mandatory that a person must only check their driving licence application’s status online, it is more convenient, compared to calling or personally visiting the RTO.

What is the process to check if my Driving Licence has been sent by post?

• Visit the Parivahan website, pick the ‘Drivers/ Learners License’ option. On the next page, select the state from the drop-down menu. Once redirected to the Sarathi.Parivahan website, click on ‘Application Status’ on the top right and fill in the required details (application number and date of birth). On the status page if the status mentioned ‘dispatched by post’ it has been sent to the registered address by speed post. The tracking number of the shipment is also provided against the status, which can be used by the applicant to track the delivery status. 

What to do if my Driving Licence is under process for too long?

• The average time for a new driving licence to be issued (after the driving test and document submission) is two to three weeks, with an additional week for the delivery via speed post. If the online status states that the application is still under process even after a month, then the applicant can send an email or call or visit the respective RTO.

What to do if my licence application is rejected?

• The driving licence application can be rejected due to an error in the documentation verification process. If your application is rejected, visit the respective RTO with the original documents (age proof, address proof, Government ID, photographs and medical certificate if any) for further assistance. If the application is rejected due to failing the driving test, you can retake the test after 30 days.

Is it safe to check the Driving Licence application status online?

• The process of checking one’s driving licence application status is safe, as the details are submitted to the websites created and owned by the central or state governments.