How to Renew Driving Licence in Chennai

1. More than five years post‑expiry, you must apply for a fresh licence. 

Documents Required for Driving Licence Renewal 

You will need: 

1. Form‑2 or Form‑9 (renewal application via Parivahan/Sarathi portal) 

1. Original driving licence 

1. Proof of age and address such as Aadhaar, Passport or Voter ID 

1. Recent passport‑size photographs 

1. Form 1A medical certificate signed by an MBBS doctor if you are over 40 or hold a transport licence 

Note: Ensure scanned files meet size and format specifications for online upload. 

How to renew online via Parivahan (Sarathi portal) 

1. Visit the official Parivahan Sewa website  

1. Navigate to Online Services 

1. Click on the "Driving Licence Related Services" tab 

1. Now click on 'Tamil Nadu'. 

1. Select Apply for DL Renewal, enter your DL number and date of birth, then fill the form. 

1. Upload the scanned documents (licence, photos, proof, Form 1A if required). 

1. Pay the online fees (Rs.200 base fee; plus, penalties if applicable). 

1. You may optionally book an appointment for biometric or vision test, but often you won’t need to visit the RTO in-person if all documents are complete. 

1. Download and print the acknowledgement slip for your records. 

Offline renewal via Chennai RTO 

If you prefer to apply in person: 

1. Visit your local Chennai RTO office. 

1. Collect and fill Form 9 (or bring downloaded copy). 

1. Submit it along with photos, original licence, age/address proofs, and Form 1A if applicable. 

1. Pay the prescribed fees at the counter. 

1. You will be given an acknowledgement receipt. 

1. In-person processing may require waiting, but smart‑card licences are typically issued within a few days or are posted to you. 

Fees and penalty structure 

The following fees apply in Tamil Nadu (Chennai): 

Note: Refundable smart‑card fee is optional but recommended for durability. 

Medical certificate requirement (Form 1A) 

Applicants aged above 40 or applying for transport vehicle licences must submit a Form 1A medical certificate signed by an MBBS‑certified doctor approved by the RTO. The health check typically evaluates vision, hearing, coordination and general fitness. The certificate can either be obtained physically at RTO‑approved clinics or even online services that offer RTO‑compliant certificate issue. 

How to track renewal status 

After applying, you can check your status online: 

• Visit the Parivahan Sewa website 
• Click on "Driving Licence Related Services" 
• Navigate to the Tamil Nadu tab 
• Click on Application Status. 
• Enter your application number, date of birth and captcha. 
• The portal displays stages such as Submitted, Scrutiny, Approved, and Sent for printing. 

Note: If your licence is smart‑card type and facilitating online processing, staying in scrutiny for 1 to 3 weeks is common, followed by courier delivery via Speed Post within 3 to 7 days. 

Tips for a smooth renewal 

1. Apply early, ideally 30 days before licence expiry to avoid penalties. 

1. Ensure name details exactly match between Aadhaar and DL to simplify OTP and document checks.  

1. Submit Form 1A promptly if applicable to avoid delays. 

1. Be patient with processing; some applications remain in scrutiny for weeks but resolve without agent involvement.  

1. Maintain copies of all receipts and acknowledgement slips; download your e‑DL on mParivahan or DigiLocker app for interim proof.