Duplicate Driving License in Chennai: Online Process, Fees & RTO Guidelines

Last updated: October 18, 2026

Lost or damaged your driving license in Chennai? Under the Motor Vehicles Act, holding a valid driving license is mandatory for driving on Chennai roads. Operating a vehicle without a valid physical or digital license can lead to heavy traffic fines.

Whether your driving license was stolen, lost, torn, or requires an updated photograph, you can apply for a duplicate Driving License (DL) in Chennai online through the Parivahan Sarathi portal.

Reasons to Apply for a Duplicate DL in Chennai

You can request a duplicate driving license under the following conditions:

Lost or Misplaced License: The original DL card or booklet was lost or stolen.
Torn or Mutilated Card: The plastic card is defaced, broken, or unreadable.
Photo Update: The printed photograph on your existing DL card is faded or out of date.
Smart Card Upgrade: Replacing an old paper booklet license with an official PVC Smart Card.

How to Apply for Duplicate DL Online in Chennai

Obtain TN Police LDR: Visit the official Tamil Nadu Police e-services portal, select Lost Document Report (LDR), enter your DL details, and download the official LDR acknowledgment receipt.
Access Parivahan Sarathi: Go to the official Parivahan Sarathi portal and select Tamil Nadu as your state.
Select DL Services: Click on Services on Driving License (Renewal/Duplicate/Aedl/Others).
Enter DL Details: Enter your Driving License Number and Date of Birth to load your profile details.
Select Duplicate DL Request: Select Issue of Duplicate DL as the service and choose the reason (Lost, Damaged, or Defaced).
Upload Documents: Upload clear scanned PDF copies of your TN Police LDR, Form LLD, address proof, and photograph.
Pay Government Fees: Complete the online fee payment through the payment gateway.
Track Status & Speed Post Delivery: Once verified and approved by the concerned Chennai RTO, your printed Smart Card DL will be delivered directly to your address via Speed Post.

Over View

Duplicate Driving License Chennai

As per The Motor Vehicles Act , having a driving license is mandatory to drive a vehicle. If you have misplaced it or lost it, in such scenario you can apply for duplicate driving license in Chennai.

Official RTO Fee Structure in Chennai

Duplicate Driving License Issue Fee: ?200
Smart Card Processing Fee: ?200
Total RTO Charges: ?400

Major RTO Jurisdictions in Chennai

You should submit your application to the RTO office associated with your original license registration or current residential address in Chennai:

TN-01 (Chennai Central): Ayanavaram
TN-02 (Chennai North-West): Anna Nagar
TN-03 (Chennai North-East): Tondiarpet
TN-04 (Chennai East): Royapuram
TN-05 (Chennai South-East): Mandaveli / Mylapore
TN-06 (Chennai South-East Sub-office): Mandaveli
TN-07 (Chennai South): Thiruvanmiyur
TN-09 (Chennai West): K.K. Nagar
TN-10 (Chennai South-West): Virugambakkam / Valasaravakkam
TN-11 (Tambaram RTO): Tambaram and surrounding areas
TN-12 (Poonamallee RTO): Poonamallee and West Suburban Chennai

Validity of duplicate driving licence

The validity of duplicate licence will be same as your previous licence. If your lost or damaged driver's licence is still valid, you don't need to take driving test again to apply for duplicate DL.

Processing time for getting Duplicate DL in Chennai

Normally it takes 15 days in getting duplicate driving license in Chennai. You can track application status online using application no. and date of birth.

Change of address in driving licence

While applying for Duplicate DL in Chennai, you can have four scenarios :

Same address : If your old driving licence address is same as present address, apply for duplicate DL at the RTO from where DL was issued.
Within city : If there is address change within Chennai city only, you can apply at the same RTO in Chennai from where DL was issued
Different city : If your address has changed to another city that is in a different RTO jurisdiction, you have to apply at the new RTO.
To other State : Your address has changed from another state to Chennai, then apply at the Chennai RTO with your existing driving license details and change your address to the new address of Chennai

Backlog entry of DL detail on Parivahan portal

If you are having old paper type driving licence and driving license details is not available on the Parivahan website, you need to apply for backlog entry by visiting the parent RTO from where driving licence was issued. This is offline process and can be done at RTO only.

After this backlog entry process, you can apply for duplicate driving licence in Chennai online.

Note:

It is recommended to keep the photocopy of your Driving licence safe, particulars of Driving licence noted with you so that you may not face trouble in case of loss/theft. It would be easier to search your licence particulars from the record. If you can not provide the particulars it is advisable to go for fresh licence instead of duplicate licence.

Process

How to Get Duplicate DL in Chennai with Itzeazy

If you face time constraints, complex address changes across different RTO jurisdictions, or need assistance resolving old paper license backlog entries, Itzeazy offers doorstep assistance:

Submit Request Online: Choose your service location in Chennai and place your order on the ItzEazy portal.
Complete Secure Payment: Confirm your booking through the secure online checkout.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your required documents (TN Police LDR, address proof, DL copy) for expert verification.
RTO Filing & Verification: Our team reviews your application file and coordinates directly with the respective Chennai RTO.
Application Tracking: We handle RTO follow-ups, document submission, and status updates on your behalf.
Doorstep Delivery: Receive your official Smart Card Duplicate Driving License delivered straight to your home address.

Document Required

Documents Required For Duplicate Driving License in Chennai

Keep self-attested copies and original files of the following documents ready before submitting your application:

Tamil Nadu Police Lost Document Report (LDR): Mandatory online police report for lost or stolen driving licenses filed via the TN Police portal.
Form LLD: Official intimation form for issuing a duplicate driving license.
Original DL Copy: Required if your existing license is torn, defaced, or being converted to a smart card.
Proof of Address: Valid address proof in Chennai (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Ration Card, Voter ID, or Utility Bills).
Passport-Sized Photographs: Recent color photographs.
Self-Declaration of Physical Fitness: Form 1 self-declaration.
Traffic Challan Clearance: Verification confirming no pending e-challan fines on your license number.

Note for Old Paper Licenses (Backlog Entry): If your driving license was issued years ago on paper and its record does not appear on the Parivahan portal, you must complete a Backlog Entry at your issuing Chennai RTO before applying for a duplicate DL online.

Forms

Duplicate Driving License in Chennai - Forms

Form LLD

FAQ's

Duplicate Driving License in Chennai - FAQ

1. Can application for duplicate Driving license can be submitted in RTO other than the RTO from where it was issued ?

No, It can be applied only in the RTO office from where it was issued .

2. I do not have copy of lost Driving License or dont remember Driving License number . What should I do ?

In such scenario it is advisable to go for fresh license as getting record of old Driving license would not be possible.

3. What happens If my current address is different from the address mentioned in the lost Driving license?

Address will be changed in the new driving license issued. You should apply for duplicate driving licence with address change.

4. Is it possible to obtain a soft copy of my duplicate driver's licence?

Yes, the DigiLocker allows you to download soft copy of your driver's licence. You need to have account in digilocker. Sign in using the mobile number or Aadhar number and download softcopy of driving licence.

5. What will be the validity of duplicate Driving Licence ?

Duplicate driving licence will have the same validity as your original Driving Licence. All the information on duplicate Driving Licence will be the same as the original.

6. Do I have to pass a driving test once again while applying for a duplicate Driving Licence ?

You don’t have to go through driving test again while applying for a duplicate licence if its still valid. You need to undergo through driving test again, if your driving licence has expired more than one year before.

7. What should I do if I lost my driving Licence in Chennai?

If you have lost driving licence in Chennai, first you should report loss of driving licence to the local police station. After that you should apply for duplicate driving licence in the RTO from where DL was issued. Process will take approx. 1 month time and you will get duplicate DL.

8. How many days are required for duplicate DL in Chennai?

The process of duplicate DL takes approx. 30 days in Chennai if its smart card driving licence.

If its paper DL, first there will be process for backlog entry of DL data on Parivahan portal. This process takes approx. 1 month time. So the total process for backlog entry and duplicate DL will take approx. 60 days time.

9. How much does duplicate driving licence cost in Chennai?

RTO fees for duplicate driving licence in Chennai is Rs. 200. There is additional fees of Rs. 200 for smart card diving licence.

10. What affidavit is required for a duplicate driving licence in Chennai?

Affidavit on stamp by the applicant before an executive magistrate or a first class judicial magistrate or a notary public for having lost the driving licence

11. Where should I apply for a duplicate driving license in Chennai?

You have to apply for a duplicate driving license at the RTO office in Chennai that has issued your original driving license.

12. I have lost my driving licence. My driving licence was issued from Chennai RTO. It was a paper licence. Data of my driving licence is not available on Parivahan portal. How can I apply for duplicate DL in Chennai ?

The driving licence data of old paper licence is not available on parivahan portal. First you will have to apply to Chennai RTO for online entry of your DL data on parivahan portal. This process of online entry of old data on parivahan portal is called backlog entry. Once data is available online, you can apply for duplicate driving licence in Chennai online.

13. I have lost my driving licence which is expiring next month. Can I apply for duplicate driving licence along with renewal of driving licence. If yes, what will be the validity of driving licence after renewal ?

Yes, you can apply for driving licence renewal and duplicate driving licence together. The validity of the driving licence will be extended as per the rule of motor vehicle act depending upon the age of you.

14. Under what circumstances will a duplicate driving licence be issued?

Generally, a duplicate driving licence will be issued under the following circumstances.

If the photograph affixed to the driving licence requires a replacement
If the driving Licence is destroyed or stolen
If the driving Licence is torn completely or is defaced

15. Can I still drive a vehicle while my application for a duplicate driving licence is still pending?

Yes, you can drive while your duplicate driving licence application is still pending. However, you need to carry the application receipt with you while you're driving.

16. Is a Police FIR mandatory for a lost Driving License?

Yes, Police FIR is mandatory document to apply for duplicate driving licence. Along with other documents you need to submit FIR copy to the RTO for duplicate DL process.

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