Smart Card Driving Licence

 

Smart Card Driving Licence

With everything around us moving forward, the days of driving license books have come to an end. The Smart Card Driving License has slowly, but surely, been replacing the paper version of the document and is one of the best ways to carry around your driving license. These Smart Cards are durable, compact, and hold all the information about the driver in a microprocessor built into the card itself.

 

If you wish to apply for a Smart Card Driving License online, here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Visit the website of the state transport department.

Step 2: Download the Smart Card Driving License application.

Step 3: Correctly fill in the form and attach the required documents.

Step 4: Visit the RTO in your city and submit the form and documents.

Step 5: Pay the fees and schedule a driving test appointment.

Step 6: Take the driving test and clear it.

Step 7: Once cleared, biometrics will be recorded including retina scanning, fingerprints, and photographs.

Step 8: Verify the information.

Step 9: If the driving test is cleared by the officer, a Smart Card Driving License or SCDL will be issued at the registered address.

 

By replacing the “Old Book Driving License”, the new “Smart Card” has made life easier for the drivers as well as the police officers. Thanks to its compact size and extreme durability, the SCDL cards last for a long time and can fit into any wallet, pocket, case, or other items. The book-style licenses would often get old and tear apart because of the number of pages it had and that it was made from low-quality paper. While the SCDL system has become extremely popular in India, not every state has implemented yet. But, the government is trying their best to make the Smart Card an essential piece of documentation for anyone who drives a vehicle.

 

What is a Smart Card Driving Licence (SCDL)?

 

A Smart Card Driving License or an SCDL is a major upgrade on the previously used paper driving license books in the country. This Smart Card is made from high-quality plastic and is embedded with a 64kb microprocessor. This microprocessor helps record all the information about the driver, including blood type, address, fingerprint, retina scanning, and name. All the information on the Smart Card can be accessed by any officer who has a machine that can read the microprocessor as well as the RTO and ARTO through the NIC or National Informatics Center accessibility.

 

Smart Card Driving Licence Advantages

Here are some of the biggest advantages of owning a Smart Card Driving License:

Smart Cards hold all the information of the driver and cannot be tampered with which eliminates any chance of fake identities.

All the information on the Smart Card can only be modified to add or change some details and cannot be erased which serves as a permanent record.

Smart Cards will stop fake registration information and invalid driving licenses from circulating.

Compared to the regular driving license book, the Smart Card is far more durable and convenient to use.

Smart Card Driving Licence Eligibility Criteria

In order to obtain a Smart Card Driving License, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

Applicants must be at least 18-years when applying for an SCDL for a motorcycle exceeding 50cc.

For vehicles under 50cc, applications can be made at the age of 16-years. In this case, a letter of consent from the applicant’s parent or guardian is also required.

For heavy vehicles, the applicant must at least 18-years and should have at least completed the 8th standard.

Documents Required for Applying for Smart Card Driving Licence

There are certain documents required to successfully apply for a Smart Card Driving License. Below are the documents that are required to be submitted when applying:

Address Proof: Any one of the following documents can be submitted for SCDL application as address proof:

 

Passport

House agreement

Aadhar Card

Ration Card

Latest utility bill (electricity, gas, etc.)

In case you live in another city, copies of a registered rental agreement and utility bills are required as well.

Age Proof: Any one of the following documents can be submitted for SCDL application as age proof:

 

Passport

PAN Card

Birth Certificate

Transfer certificate from school with the DOB printed

SSC Certificate

Other Documents:

 

Passport-size photographs

Correctly filled Form 4 (permanent license)

Correctly filled Form 1 (physical fitness declaration)

Correctly filled Form 1A (medical certificate)

Smart Card License Form

All the forms mentioned above can be found at the Regional Transport Office near you or can be downloaded online from the RTO official website.

Smart Card Driving Licence Fee

A Smart Card Driving License will only be issued when the application fee of Rs. 200 is paid. This amount is required to be paid when the application form and the attached documents are submitted either online or offline.

Smart Card Driving Licence Form

 

Before you can apply for a Smart Card Driving License, it is necessary to know what the application form contains. There are a total of 3 zones to the application form, all of which are described below:

Zone 1: This is also known as the Visual Inspection zone and contains some of the basic information about the applicant. Some of the information listed here is the applicant’s name, registered address, DOB, vehicle type, vehicle class, and signature.

Zone 2: This part of the form contains information such as the serial number of the driving license chip, date of issue of the driving license, details about the issuing authority, and validity details about the driving license. Because this information is read by a machine, this zone of the form is called the Machine-Readable zone.

Zone 3: This is one of the most important parts of the form as it contains information pertaining to whether the driver was ever penalized, his qualifications, and if he has any endorsements. If the driver was fined, the details of the violation will be listed in this section along with the dates on which the fine was issued and settled. This zone is also called the Central Motor Vehicles Rules zone.

How to Apply for Smart Card Driving Licence Online?

 

With the implementation of technology in various RTO’s across the country, applying for a Smart Card Driving License online has become even easier. Below are the basic steps you can take to apply for an SCDL online:

Step 1: Visit the Transport Department website and search for Smart Card Driving License application.

Step 2: Download and correctly fill the application form.

Step 3: Check the list of documents required when applying for an SCDL and attach them to the application form.

Step 4: Check for the Smart Card Driving License application fees found on the RTO website and make the required payment.

Step 5: You can either book an appointment online or visit the RTO near you to apply/get your SCDL.

Step 6: At the RTO, you will have to verify the documents and pay the applicable fee.

Step 7: Your biometrics, including fingerprint, retina scans, photograph, and other details will be recorded into the RTO database.

Step 8: Take and clear the driving test at the RTO to get your Smart Card Driving License delivered to the registered address.

How to Apply for Smart Card Driving Licence Offline?

 

Anyone who wishes to get their Smart Card Driving License through the offline method can do so directly at the local RTO. Here are the steps you can follow to get your SCDL offline:

Step 1: First, check whether the state you live in has implemented the Smart Card Driving License.

Step 2: If the facility is being used in your state, you will have to visit the RTO, request for an application form, correctly fill it in, pay the required application fee, and provide your biometric information.

Step 3: In case you have a Learner’s License and are applying for a Permanent Driving License, you will have to also get the Smart Card Driving License application form completely fill it.

Step 4: Attach all the documents required such as address and age proof along with photographs. Submit the form and documents and then choose a slot that suits you best to take your driving test.

Step 5: Visit the RTO on the date you chose and give the driving test. If the test is cleared, your biometric will be recorded into the Smart Card Driving License.

Step 6: Once the information is recorded, the Smart Card Driving License will be sent to the registered address through speed post.

Smart Card Four Wheeler Driving Licence

The Smart Card Driving License for 4-wheelers is a major upgrade from the previously-used driving license book. The book has a number of pages where information was recorded and over time, those pages would get loose and get misplaced quite easily. This is where the SCDL comes in and makes everything so convenient. With the 64kb microprocessor chip embedded into the card, all the driver’s information can be stored and accessed by authorities without a hassle. Since the Smart Card is made from plastic, it is extremely durable and the compact size makes it easy to carry anywhere.

Advantages of having a Smart Card Driving Licence for Four Wheeler

Here are the advantages of using a Smart Card Driving License for 4-wheelers:

Your information, including address, blood type, and even any violations are stored on the 64kb microprocessor.

It cannot be tampered with as it requires a special machine to read the microprocessor chip. This means all your information is safe and cannot be altered in any way – even if stolen or misplaced.

Each Smart Card Driving License is specifically recorded to separate individuals using their biometric information such as blood type, fingerprints, and retina scans. This makes it completely safe to use anywhere without worrying about anyone stealing or wrongfully using your identity.

Because all the information is available in the 64kb microprocessor chip, fraudulent activities such as creating fake driving licenses and fake registration certificates are a thing of the past.

Once the information on the Smart Card is stored, it can be edited but cannot be erased which is perfect authorities to audit the holder.

Thanks to the durable plastic construction, the Smart Card can be used in all types of weather – hot, cold, rain, etc. without any damage to the card or the information stored within it.

How to Apply for Smart Card Driving Licence for Four Wheeler Online?

Applying for a Smart Card Driving License online is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home or office using a computer or a smartphone. Here are the steps to apply for an SCDL online:

Step 1: Visit the website of the Transport Department of your state and download the SCDL application form.

Step 2: Correctly fill in the form and attach the requested documents.

Step 3: Print the filled in application and visit your local RTO.

Step 4: Submit the application, pay the application fee, and pick out a date and time at which you can give your driving test.

Step 5: Visit the RTO on the day of the test and complete it successfully.

Step 6: If cleared, your biometrics, including fingerprints, retina scanning, and photographs will be recorded into the RTO database.

Step 7: Verify all the information recorded.

Step 8: The Smart Card Driving License will be issued to your registered address.

How to Apply for Smart Card Driving Licence for Four Wheeler Offline?

If you choose to apply for a Smart Card Driving License offline, you can follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Find out whether your state has the Smart Card Driving License system implemented.

Step 2: If you already have a driving license and want to convert it into an SCDL, you need to simply visit the local RTO, fill in the application form, attach and submit the required documents, pay the application fee, and record your biometrics.

Step 3: If you have a learner’s license, you will have to visit the RTO and get an application form.

Step 4: Correctly fill in the form, pay the application fees, and select a date and time slot to give the driving test.

Step 5: Visit the RTO on the selected day and give the driving test.

Step 6: Once cleared, your biometrics will be recorded into the RTO database.

Step 7: Your Smart Card Driving License will be sent to the registered address.

Old Book Driving License to New Smart Card

All across India, Smart Card Driving Licenses are taking the place of old book driving licenses as a more convenient and easier solution. While old driving licenses were made form paper and were susceptible to wear and tear, the new Smart Cards are made of plastic and are far more durable. All the Smart Cards come with a microprocessor chip which is used to record all the information about the driver, including their biometrics and driving certification. This information can be accessed by the RTO and ARTO authorities with the help of the National Informatics Centre or NIC. This electronically stored information is not only easier to access by authorities, but it is completely safe from fraudulent activities such as creating fake driving licenses or registration certificates.

Process of transferring Old Book Driving Licence to New Smart Card

In order to transfer your old book driving license into a Smart Card Driving License, there are some basic steps that must be taken.

Step 1: Visit the RTO in your region.

Step 2: Get your fingerprints scanned, photograph taken, and provide your digital signature.

Step 3: Once activated, the Smart Card Driving License will be fed with all your information through the microprocessor chip.

Step 4: After completely entering all the information, the Smart Card Driving License will be linked with the RTO database and any violation committed by the driver will be immediately inputted into the system.

Documents Required while Transferring Driving Licence to Smart Card Driving Licence

Before you can submit your Smart Card Driving License application form, you will have to attach a number of documents to it. Here is a list of those documents:

Proof of age – birth certificate, school transfer certificate, passport, etc.

Proof of address – passport, ration card, voters ID, Aadhar card, electricity bill, etc.

Copy of the original book-style driving license.

Once all the documents are verified at the RTO, you will receive your Smart Card Driving License on the very same day.

FAQ

Q: I have a driving license that I got 5 years back. Is it mandatory for me to get my driving license converted to Smart Card Driving License type?

A: No. Converting a driving license into a Smart Card Driving License is not mandatory but RTO’s advise it because Smart Cards are more durable and easy to carry.

Q: I wish to convert my existing driving license to Smart Card Driving License. What should I do?

A: In order to convert your existing driving license into a Smart Card, you will have to visit the RTO office or the RTO website and submit the application form along with the required documents. Once you make the fee payment and record your biometrics, you will be issued a Smart Card Driving License.

Q: I hold a valid Driving License and I am applying for a Smart Card Driving License. Will I be asked to take the driving test again in this case?

A: No. If you currently hold a valid driving license, you will not have to give the driving test again if you wish to convert it into a Smart Card Driving License.

Q: How do I know if the RTO in my city offers the Smart Card Driving License?

A: To know whether the RTO in your city has the Smart Card Driving License facility, you can either:
i). Enquire about it at the local RTO office, or;
ii). Check on the State Transport Department’s official website in your city.

Q: What is the validity period of Smart Card Driving License?

A: A Smart Card Driving License has a validity of 20 years from the issue date or till the license holder turns 50-years, whichever comes earlier. When the validity of the Smart Card Driving License expires, it can be renewed by the holder either online or offline.

Q: What are the fees for Smart Card Driving License?

A: The Smart Card Driving License fees are Rs. 200 and it must be made when the application is being submitted along with the documents.

Q: Does every state RTO offer Smart Card Driving License?

A: Currently, not every state in India offers the Smart Card Driving License facility. To find out whether your state has the facility, you can either visit the RTO in your region or visit the official State Transport Department website.

Q: Is it mandatory to get a Smart Card Driving License?

A: It is not mandatory to get a Smart Card Driving License but it is advisable to get one as they are more durable and convenient to use.

Q: What documents can I submit as the address proof?

A: You can submit any of the below-mentioned documents as address proof when applying for a Smart Card Driving License:
1. Passport
2. House agreement
3. Aadhar Card
4. Ration Card
5. Latest utility bill (electricity, gas, etc.)
In case you live in another city, copies of a registered rental agreement and utility bills are required as well.