Now, renew driving licence 3 months before expiry

Now you can renew your driving licence three months before it expires. While the move is likely to be well-received in a city that is perennially short of time, it is expected to be more beneficial for international travelers, who own an international driving permit (IDP).

Now you can renew your driving licence three months before it expires. While the move is likely to be well-received in a city that is perennially short of time, it is expected to be more beneficial for international travelers, who own an international driving permit (IDP).

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"Instead of the present one month duration, for people’s convenience, we have decided to advance the renewal period up to three months before expiry date of the license,” said Shirish Thakur, additional transport commissioner. “The decision has been circulated to all Regional transport offices (RTO) offices across the state,"

The Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), which has been pursuing the matter for a long time, has welcomed the move. Nitin Dossa, executive chairman, WIAA, said "The transport department has taken a very positive decision. It will surely benefit thousands of driving license holders, including IDP holders too.”

Dossa, however, the renewal period should be advanced to six months instead of three months. His suggestion was backed by RTO officials as well. A senior RTO official said the decision will help students who may be unable to renew licences during examinations, and women whose licences are set to expire during their pregnancy.

He added that this decision is expected to prove helpful for students and women expected to during their examination period and pregnancy respectively.

Thanks to the new rule, holders of the international driving permit will get more time for renewal of driving licences while abroad. In several countries, a domestic driving licence is a must along with the international driving permit to drive a vehicle. Therefore, if a person’s licence expires during his stay abroad, he may not be allowed to drive.

“IDP holders will now get more time for renewal of driving licence,” said another RTO official.

RTO sources said that previously, driving licence could be renewed only one month before or after the expiry. Worse, if renewed more than one month after the licence expires, the driver was liable for a penalty.