Maharashtra: Regional Transport Office to issue duplicate, renewed driving licence on the same day

PUNE: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is developing a system for applicants to get duplicate licences or renew them the same day.
“The department of transport has given us an in-principle nod. By early next year, we will be able to roll out the system,” an RTO official requesting anonymity told TOI. Pune regional transport officer Ajit Shinde said, “We will announce it once it is ready.”

Sources told TOI that a biometric system was being developed.“ Currently, anyone needing a duplicate licence or a renewal has to go to the ‘Parivahan’ portal (parivahan.gov.in), go to the licence services and do the needful as directed. One needs to scan and upload the documents like PAN card, address proof and pay the fee online. Once this is done, the processing takes around seven days followed by 3 to 4 days more till the licence reaches the applicant by post,” another official told TOI.
If the applicant has completed the online process and goes to the RTO office with the documents, he or she will get the duplicate/renewed licence within one or two hours. A biometric system to identify the applicant is necessary. Once the system is in place, the waiting time of around 15 days will be eliminated, an official added.
The Pune RTO issues more than 15,000 driving licences and around 35,000 registration certificates per month. “The number of cases for renewal of licences and for duplicate licences are fairly less as the licence for a private vehicle, a two-wheeler for instance, is valid for 20 years. The new system will not result in any burden,” the official said.
Prashant Kadam who got his licence renewed recently said it is a good move. “The waiting time sometimes extends to a month due to postal and other problems at the RTO. If they can deliver the licence the same day, it saves much time,” he added.