Driving Licence Renewal 2026: 1-Year Grace Period, Form 9 & Retest Penalties Explained

Published by Adv. Rajesh Verma on 21 September 2026

1. The Statutory Renewal Timeline & 1-Year Grace Window

Under Section 15 of the Motor Vehicles Act (amended 2019), the statutory renewal rules are:

  • Pre-Expiry Window: You can apply up to 1 year before the expiry date.
  • Post-Expiry Grace Period: You can renew without re-test up to 1 year after expiry date.
  • Beyond 1 Year Expiry: Driving test on track becomes mandatory under Section 15(4).
  • Beyond 5 Years Expiry: Entire licence is permanently canceled; applicant must start fresh from Learner Licence.

  • 2. How to Renew DL Online via Form 9 on Sarathi

    1. Go to Sarathi Parivahan $\to$ Select "Apply for DL Renewal".

    2. Enter DL Number and Date of Birth.

    3. If applicant age

    gt;40$ years: Upload Form 1A Medical Certificate with doctor stamp.

    4. Pay renewal fee online and choose Aadhaar e-KYC faceless delivery.

    5. New Smart Card is dispatched directly via Speed Post in 10–14 days.


    3. Late Fee Structure & Retest Requirements

    Expiry TimelineApplicable RulesGovt Fee + Penalty (₹)
    Renewed Before Expiry or Within 1 YearStandard Form 9₹200 DL Fee + ₹200 Smart Card = ₹400
    Renewed 1 to 5 Years After ExpiryRetest + Late Penalty₹400 + ₹300 Test + ₹1,000/yr Penalty
    Driving with Expired DL on RoadSection 181 MV Act₹5,000 Court Fine

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many days before expiry can I apply for DL renewal?

    Under Section 15 of the MV Act 2019 amendment, you can apply for renewal up to 1 year (365 days) before expiry date.

    What happens if my Driving Licence is expired for more than 1 year?

    If your DL has been expired for

    gt;1$ year, you must appear for a fresh driving competency test at the RTO under Rule 18 CMVR.


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