Indian Driving License Digitization, NOC & Renewal Process for new Smart Card License

While everybody thinks that you definitely need an Agent to convert your old booklet Driving License into a Smart Card and also to renew it, I took up a challenge this summer to check how the entire system works and was very pleased to get things smoothly done and also save some money. Rather than getting misguided by the Agents, you can follow the process below (as per your case) to get your old Booklet Driving License digitized, have NOC issued in old RTO and then apply for renewal and issuance of new Driving License.

Digitisation of Booklet DL (RTO Mumbai West - Andheri) [if your DL is not present on Central Repository] -

1. Fill Offline Application Form 9 (Rs.5) along with copy of Driving License and original Driving License.
2. Counter 19 closed. Counter 13 accepts form, verifies, signs and then sends to 1st Floor Assistant RTO - Hemant Patil - for 2nd sign.
3. After sign of Assistant RTO Counter 13 verifies and sends to Counter 15 for submission.
4. Counter 15 uploads data to Central Repository in 5-10 mins.
5. Once the data is uploaded on Central Repository you can view your License details on the parivahan Portal and also add your DL on the DigiLocker App.

NOC (to Transfer Services from RTO West to RTO North) -

1. Complete Online Application Form with Service as NOC.
2. Upload scanned copy (500 KB) of Driving License through the online wizard.
3. Make online fee payment of Rs.20 for NOC.
4. Print Application Form, Fee Receipt, Sign it and submit it along with copy of Driving License and original Driving License at Counter 13.
5. Counter 13 verifies, signs and sends you to Counter 10 for final approval.
6. Counter 10 approves the Application and sends to Counter 15.
7. Counter 15 accepts the Application and provides NOC along with Stamp and sign in 5-10 mins.

Change of Address and Renewal (RTO North) -

1. Complete Online Application Form with Service as Change of Address and DL Renewal.
2. Download Form 1A Medical Certificate from website, Print it and get it certified by a Govt. Authorized Doctor with Passport size Photo stuck on Page 2. Doctor Fees may vary from Rs.100 - Rs.200.
3. Upload scanned copy (500 KB) of Driving License, Address Proof (Aadhaar Card / Passport, etc.) and scanned copy of Form 1A through the online wizard.
4. Make online fee payment of Rs.666 for Change of Address and DL Renewal.
5. Print Application Form, Fee Receipt, Complete Form 9, Sign it and submit it along with copy of Driving License and Address Proof along with original Form 1A and NOC.
6. Visit Counter 3 at Borivali RTO and complete the Biometric formalities - Capture Photo and Signature. Not sure why it is called Biometric as Capture of Photo and Signature is typically not called Biometrics, rather Retina/IRIS scan, Fingerprint scan comes under Biometrics. Morever the RTO team should rely integration with Aaadhaar DB, as all the details are already captured there. It was very disappointing that the Photos were capture in an incorrect manner with the window behind the subject with a crazy Blue colored paper stuck, rather than capturing the photo with a White background.
7. Once the Photo and Signature is captured, head to Counter 4 to submit the documents along with the original Booklet Driving License. In your car always carry a copy of the Photo copy of the Driving License along with the Application submission online Acknowledgement, so that you can produce it to the Traffic Police if asked for.

Total cost of end to end process = 20 + 100 + 666 = Rs.786.

Cost as per RTO Agents = Rs.3000.

Time taken by doing it on your own or through the Agent is same, as physical presence is required during the process. In total I spent 1/2 day for Digitization and issuance of NOC at old RTO and 1/2 day to apply for Renewal at new RTO.

What are you waiting for? If you have a same case as mine, give it a try!