Govt Tightens Driving Licence Rules from Jan 1; Check Details
Government has developed a new classification model on the SARATHI portal to streamline records of old, expired and duplicate driving licences
UdaipurTimes, Nov 2, 2026 - The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has developed a new classification model on the SARATHI portal, utilising an active, real-time database management system, to streamline records of old, expired and duplicate driving licences. The State is preparing to implement it from January 1 and has directed officials to complete the necessary modifications and testing on the portal.
The government emphasises on renewing a driving licence on time after its validity expires. If you fail to pay attention to it for several years, the licence record may be shifted to a permanent archive. Reactivating it thereafter may not be as straightforward as a routine renewal. The process may involve verification by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), a driving test, payment of prescribed fees and even approval from the State Transport Commissioner.
According to officials, Rajasthan has more than four lakh such expired and duplicate driving licence records.
If a driving licence is renewed more than one year after its validity has expired, taking a driving test will be mandatory. Standard online renewal process will not be applicable. However, applicants will not be required to obtain a new learner's licence, although they will have to pay the prescribed fee again.
With Media Inputs
