DL address change: how to update your driving licence address
A dl address change replaces the old address on your driving licence record with your new one. Open Sarathi, pick the state you now live in, choose services on driving licence, enter your DL number and date of birth, tick change of address, type the new address, upload proof, pay the fee shown and print the receipt. With Aadhaar OTP, most states need no office visit.
Key takeaways
- A dl address change keeps your licence number, vehicle classes and validity; only the address field and card change.
- Apply on Sarathi under the state of your new home; your licence stays valid everywhere in India meanwhile.
- Update Aadhaar first if you want the contactless OTP route; the proof and the form must match.
- Keep one clear proof of the new address in your own name, such as a passport, rent agreement or utility bill.
- The fee is set by your state and appears on the payment screen; we could not verify one national amount.
- Your RC address is a separate record on Vahan and needs its own request.
On this page · 23 sections
What is a DL address change and who needs it?
A dl address change is the licence service that replaces the address printed on your driving licence and stored in the Sarathi record. You need it after a permanent move, a change of house number or a correction to a wrong address. Your licence number, vehicle classes and expiry date stay untouched.
Who should apply
Anyone who has shifted home for good should apply, whether across town or across the country. The RTO, courts and police use the address on your licence to reach you.
What changes on the card
Only the address field and the card itself change. The RTO prints a fresh card from the same record, so the licence number, issue date, classes such as LMV or MCWG and validity stay exactly as they were. It is not a new licence.
Can we change address in driving license?
Yes, you can change the address in a driving license at any time. MoRTH included change of address in the driving licence in its March 2021 list of contactless services with voluntary Aadhaar authentication, so most states let you finish it online. Others still ask for a short RTO visit to check originals.
There is no new test
An address update is a record change, not a fresh licence. You do not sit a learner test or a driving test again. The RTO only checks that you are the licence holder and that the new address is genuine.
When a change is refused
Applications are usually returned when the proof is in another person’s name, the scan is unreadable or the form does not match the proof.
How to change address in driving license online?
To change address in driving license online, use the Sarathi portal: select the state of your new home, open services on driving licence, enter your DL number and date of birth, tick change of address, enter the new address, upload proof, pay and print the receipt. With your scans ready, the form takes about fifteen minutes.
What to keep ready
Keep your DL number, date of birth, a clear scan of the new address proof, a recent photo and a signature scan. Keep the mobile number linked to your licence or Aadhaar nearby, because the portal sends an OTP before it lets you submit.
Licence address change online on Sarathi, step by step
For a licence address change online, the Sarathi screens are much the same in every state. Follow these steps in order and do not press back or refresh during payment. Menu labels shift slightly between portal updates, so read each option before clicking.
- Pick the state. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select the state where you now live.
- Open driving licence services. Choose services on driving licence and enter your DL number and date of birth.
- Tick change of address. Confirm the details shown and select the change of address service.
- Enter the new address. Type it exactly as it appears on your proof, with the PIN code.
- Upload and pay. Upload the proof, and the photo and signature if asked, then pay the fee shown.
- Print the receipt. Save the acknowledgement and payment receipt and note the application number.
Choosing the RTO
After you pick the state, Sarathi asks for the RTO that covers your new address. Choose by your PIN code area, not by the office nearest your workplace. A wrong office can send the application back and cost you days.
Combining services
The same screen lists renewal, duplicate and other services. If your card is also due for renewal or is damaged, tick those too, so one card is printed. Each service carries its own fee, shown before you pay.
How to update address in driving license with Aadhaar?
To update address in driving license without visiting the RTO, pick the Aadhaar-based option on Sarathi. The portal sends an OTP to your Aadhaar-linked mobile, fetches your verified details and accepts the application online. It works only when Aadhaar already carries your new address, so update Aadhaar first.
Update Aadhaar first
Change the address in Aadhaar through the UIDAI self-service portal or an Aadhaar centre, and wait until the update is approved. Then apply on Sarathi. If Aadhaar still shows the old home, the e-KYC step pulls the old address and the request stalls.
Without Aadhaar
Aadhaar is voluntary. If you prefer not to use it, apply on Sarathi without authentication and book an RTO slot. Take the original proof of address and your licence, so the clerk can verify them at the counter.
Documents required for address change in driving license: what to upload?
The documents required for address change in driving license are your current licence or its number, proof of the new address in your own name, a recent photo and signature where the state asks, and Form 1 self-declaration in some RTOs. CMVR rule 4 lists the address proofs a licensing authority accepts.
| Document | Why it is needed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Current licence | Identifies the record | Card, DL number or DigiLocker copy |
| Proof of new address | Shows where you now live | Passport, electoral roll entry, LIC policy, government pay slip |
| State-listed proof | Rule 4 lets states add more | Aadhaar, rent agreement, utility bill, as your state lists |
| Photo and signature | For the new card | Recent scan within size limits |
| Form 1 | Fitness self-declaration | Asked by some RTOs only |
| Affidavit | Only if no proof exists | Sworn before a notary or magistrate |
What rule 4 says
CMVR rule 4 accepts the electoral roll, a life insurance policy, a passport, a pay slip from a government office or local body, and other documents the state government notifies. If you truly have none, the authority may accept an affidavit before a notary or magistrate.
Proof in a family member’s name
Many young people live in a parent’s house. If the bill is in your father’s name, add a relationship proof or use a document in your own name, such as Aadhaar. For a fuller list of licence papers, see our documents required for driving licence guide.
Update DL address at the RTO: when is a visit needed?
You need to update DL address at the RTO counter when you skip Aadhaar, when your licence is an old record not yet on Sarathi, or when the RTO flags your upload for checking. You still fill the form online first, then attend with originals at the slot you book.
What happens at the counter
The clerk compares your originals with the uploads, may take a fresh photo and signature, and approves the change. Carry two copies of the acknowledgement. Some offices also want a self-addressed envelope for posting the card.
What does an address change in DL cost?
An address change in DL costs the fee your state sets plus any service and postal charge, and Sarathi shows the total before you pay. We could not verify a single national amount for this service, so trust the payment screen rather than a quote from an agent or an old blog.
| Service | Central amount |
|---|---|
| Change of address | Shown on Sarathi payment screen |
| Renewal on time | Rs 200 |
| Smart card issue | Rs 200 extra |
Why amounts differ
States add their own user charges, smart card charges and speed post costs. If you tick renewal or a duplicate in the same form, those fees are added. Pay only once per application number.
Payment problems
If money leaves your account but no receipt appears, wait and use the payment status option with your application number. Most failed payments settle or reverse within a few working days.
How long does an address update in driving license take?
An address update in driving license is usually approved within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the state and whether a counter check is needed. The card then goes to print and post. No fixed national time limit is published, so track the application rather than counting days.
Faster cases
Aadhaar-verified applications with a clean proof are approved quickest, because no one has to check originals. Delays come from a mismatch, a busy RTO or a request for documents.
Slower cases
Old paper licences, interstate records and applications that need a counter visit take longer. If nothing moves for several weeks, call or visit the RTO with your application number.
Change address on licence within the same state
To change address on licence when you stay in the same state, pick that state on Sarathi and choose the RTO that covers your new PIN code. If the new home falls under the same RTO, the change is a simple record update. If it falls under another RTO, that office takes over your file.
Same city, new office
Large cities have several RTOs, so a move across town can shift your licence to a new office. Select the office for your new address.
The RTO code does not change
Your licence number begins with the code of the RTO that first issued it, and that number stays the same after the move. Only the office that holds your record changes.
How to transfer driving licence from one state to another?
To transfer driving licence from one state to another, you do not apply for a new licence. You file a change of address on Sarathi under the new state and its RTO. Section 9(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act lets you apply to the authority where you ordinarily reside, and a licence from any RTO is valid all over India.
No NOC for the licence
Vehicles moving between states need clearance from the old RTO, but a licence record is national. In practice, most states do not ask for a no-objection certificate for a licence address change. If your new RTO asks, it will say so on the checklist.
Keep your old number
The licence number keeps its original state prefix, such as DL or MH, even after you move. That is normal. Police in your new state can verify the record through Sarathi or mParivahan.
Change driver license state: do you need a new licence?
You do not need a second licence when you change driver license state. Section 6(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act bars one person from holding more than one driving licence. Applying afresh in your new state would create a duplicate record, so update the address on the licence you already hold.
Why not just re-apply
A fresh licence is not quicker: you would sit both tests again, and holding two licences is unlawful.
Address change in driving license Delhi
For an address change in driving license Delhi, choose Delhi on Sarathi and the zonal office that covers your new address. Delhi launched faceless transport services in August 2021, under which office visits are kept for driving tests and vehicle fitness checks, so an Aadhaar-verified address change is normally done online.
Moving into Delhi
People who shift to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana or elsewhere follow the same route: pick Delhi as the state, enter the licence number and date of birth, and Delhi’s office records the new address on your existing licence.
Proof for tenants
Tenants in Delhi often use a registered rent agreement with a recent electricity or water bill. Check the documents list that the Delhi transport department shows on Sarathi before you upload.
Change address in driving license Tamilnadu
To change address in driving license Tamilnadu, start the application on Sarathi and select Tamil Nadu as the state, then pick the RTO for your new area. We could not confirm from an official source whether every Tamil Nadu RTO accepts the Aadhaar-only route, so check the options your RTO shows.
Tamil Nadu driving license change of address after moving in
For a Tamil Nadu driving license change of address after moving from another state, the Tamil Nadu RTO for your new area takes over the record. Use proof in your own name and keep the Tamil Nadu address in English exactly as printed on it.
Where to check local rules
The Tamil Nadu transport department publishes office lists and notices. Confirm document rules there or at the RTO before you visit, because practice can differ between Chennai and district offices.
Karnataka driving license change of address
For a Karnataka driving license change of address, Karnataka’s licence services, including those of Bengaluru’s RTOs, run on Sarathi: pick Karnataka as the state and the RTO for your new area. If a counter visit is required, book the slot the portal offers and carry your originals.
Bengaluru movers
Bengaluru has many RTOs, each covering certain areas. When you shift within the city, pick the office for your new PIN code. A 2021 Bengaluru checklist asked applicants to bring a self-addressed stamped envelope for posting the card, so ask your RTO whether that still applies.
Moving from Karnataka
If you leave Karnataka, do not file the address change in Karnataka. Apply under the state you move to.
How do you track your address change in DL?
To track your address change in DL, open Sarathi, choose your state and use the application status option with the application number and date of birth from your receipt. The status shows whether your request is pending, approved or waiting for a document, and when the card is dispatched.
What the stages mean
Pending scrutiny means no clerk has checked it yet. Approved means the record already shows the new address, even before the card arrives.
Checking the record
Once approved, you can confirm the new address with the online licence check on Sarathi or by fetching a fresh copy in DigiLocker.
Change address on license online: common errors and fixes
When you change address on license online, most failures come from small mismatches. The proof says one thing, the form another, or the OTP goes to a number you no longer use. Fix the cause before you re-apply instead of paying again.
Record not found
Check that you picked the state that holds the record, typed the DL number in the correct format and entered the date of birth exactly as on the licence. Older licences may need the RTO to move them into Sarathi first.
OTP to an old number
If the mobile on your licence or Aadhaar is old, the OTP never reaches you. Update the mobile number first, or use the RTO counter route instead of the contactless one.
Update driving licence address online or at the RTO?
You can update driving licence address online or at the counter. The online route suits most people whose Aadhaar already shows the new home. The RTO route suits anyone without Aadhaar, with an old paper licence or with a proof the portal cannot verify.
| Point | Online with Aadhaar | At the RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Office visit | Usually none | One slot visit |
| Aadhaar needed | Yes, with new address | No |
| Documents checked | Uploaded scans | Originals at counter |
| Suits | Most recent licences | Old records, no Aadhaar |
Choosing quickly
If Aadhaar shows your new address and the linked mobile works, go online. If either is missing, book the RTO slot. Both routes start on Sarathi, so you never queue just to collect a form.
Change driving license details: what else can you update?
Besides the address, you can change driving license details such as the name, date of birth correction, photo, signature and mobile number, each as a separate Sarathi service. Name changes need their own proof, such as a gazette notice or marriage certificate, and are covered in our guide to change name on driving licence.
One application, one card
If you need two changes, try to tick both in one application. You pay for each service but get one new card, and the RTO checks all your proof in one go.
Renewal together
If your licence expires soon, add renewal to the same application. Our DL renewal guide covers the forms and fitness papers for that service.
Should your RC show the same address as your licence?
Yes. Your registration certificate is a separate record held on Vahan, not Sarathi. Updating the licence does not touch it. Section 49 of the Motor Vehicles Act asks owners to report a new address on the RC within 30 days, so file that request too. Our RC address change guide covers it.
Two portals, two requests
Sarathi holds licences and Vahan holds vehicle records. Each needs its own application, proof and fee. Do both in the same week so your post and notices reach one address.
What happens after the change address on license request is approved?
After a change address on license request is approved, the Sarathi record shows your new address, and the RTO prints a fresh card with the same number and validity. Most states post it to the new address; some ask you to collect it from the office.
Download a fresh copy
Fetch the licence again in DigiLocker or mParivahan once the status says approved. An old saved copy still shows the old address until you refresh it.
What to do with the old card
Use only the new card. Hand the old one in if the RTO asks, or keep it safely away from your wallet so it is not shown by mistake.
Can you drive while the DL address change online request is pending?
Yes. A dl address change online request does not suspend your licence. It stays valid while the application is pending. Carry the card or a DigiLocker copy, and keep the acknowledgement slip in case a police officer asks why the address differs.
If the card is lost meanwhile
If your card goes missing while the request is open, tell the RTO and add a duplicate to your application. Our guide on lost my driving licence explains that service.
Digital copy
DigiLocker and mParivahan copies are accepted at roadside checks. They show the address on the record on the day you fetch them.
DL address change for an old paper licence
An old booklet or paper licence can get a DL address change too, but its record may first have to be moved into Sarathi. Visit the issuing RTO or the office for your new area with the paper licence, ask for it to be entered in the system, and then apply for the address change.
Smart card at the same time
Once the record is on Sarathi, the new card is printed as a Form 7 smart card. This often means you finally replace a fading paper licence in the same trip. For card formats and licence classes, see the driving licence guide.
Official links
Sarathi: licence servicessarathi.parivahan.gov.in ↗Parivahan Sewaparivahan.gov.in ↗Aadhaar address update (UIDAI)myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in ↗DigiLockerdigilocker.gov.in ↗DL address change questions
Can I change the address on my driving licence online?
Yes. Sarathi lists change of address among licence services, and Aadhaar OTP can make it contactless in most states. Some RTOs still ask you to visit with originals.
Does my licence number change after an address update?
No. The licence number, issue date, vehicle classes and validity stay the same. Only the address and the printed card change.
Which state do I choose on Sarathi after moving?
Choose the state where you now live. The new RTO pulls your licence from the national record and enters the new address.
Is a rent agreement accepted as address proof?
Many RTOs accept a registered rent agreement, often with a utility bill. Check the list your state shows on Sarathi before you upload.
Can I update the address and renew the licence together?
Yes, in most states you can tick both services in one application if your licence is due for renewal. You pay for each service.
Do I need a new licence when I move to another state?
No. A licence issued by any RTO is valid across India. You only update the address on the existing licence.
Will the new card be posted to my new address?
Most states post the reprinted card to the address on the application. Some ask you to collect it. Your receipt shows the delivery method.
Can I drive while my address change is pending?
Yes. The licence stays valid. Carry the card or a DigiLocker copy and keep the acknowledgement slip with you.
What if I do not have Aadhaar with the new address?
Apply on Sarathi without Aadhaar authentication and visit the RTO with another accepted proof, or update Aadhaar first and use the online route.
Parivahan Sewa (parivahansewa-in.com) is an independent information website and is not affiliated with MoRTH, Parivahan or any state transport department. Confirm fees and rules on the official portal before you pay or apply.