Realising you have a lost RC book or a missing driving licence can ruin your whole day. Both documents are essential for driving legally, selling a vehicle, or passing a routine police check. The good news is that you no longer need to spend hours at the RTO. The Parivahan portal lets you apply for a duplicate copy online in a few simple steps from home.
In this guide, we explain exactly what to do after a lost RC book or licence, the documents you need, and the complete online process on the Vahan and Sarathi portals. We also cover fees, processing time and a few practical tips. Whether you live in Kerala or any other state, the process is almost exactly the same across India.
Table of Contents
What to Do First After a Lost RC Book or Licence
Before applying online, file a report at your nearest police station or through your state police website. Kerala residents can use the Thuna portal or the Pol-App to register a lost document report. Keep a copy of this report or FIR, because the RTO asks for it with every duplicate application. It also protects you if someone misuses your lost RC book or licence later.
Meanwhile, you can still drive legally. Download the digital copy of your RC and driving licence through DigiLocker or the mParivahan app. The Ministry of Road Transport has accepted these digital versions as valid documents, so traffic police can verify them on the spot. This gives you complete peace of mind while your duplicate document is being processed, printed and delivered.
Documents Required for a Lost RC Book and Licence
- Police report or FIR copy
- Form 26 for a duplicate RC (auto-filled on the Vahan portal)
- Valid vehicle insurance and PUC certificate
- Aadhaar or other ID proof
- DL number and date of birth
- Scanned photo and signature
- NOC from the financier if the vehicle is under a loan
How to Apply for a Duplicate of Your Lost RC Book Online
The Vahan portal handles every request related to a lost RC book. Always keep your registration number, chassis number and Aadhaar-linked mobile number ready before you start. The whole online application usually takes only around fifteen minutes if your documents are scanned and saved as PDF or JPG files. Follow these steps carefully to avoid rejection at the RTO.
- Open the Vahan portal: Visit the official Vahan citizen services website.
- Enter vehicle details: Choose “Vehicle Related Services” and enter your registration number.
- Select the service: Pick “Issue of Duplicate RC” from the list of services.
- Verify with OTP: Enter the last five digits of the chassis number and the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
- Fill the form: Select “Lost” as the reason and add police report details.
- Upload documents: Attach the FIR copy, insurance, PUC and ID proof.
- Pay the fee: Pay online and save the receipt.
- Submit at RTO: Visit the RTO only if asked for verification.
How to Get a Duplicate Driving Licence Online
Your duplicate driving licence application is handled by the Sarathi portal. You only need your licence number, date of birth and a copy of the police report. If you remember nothing about your licence number, check old documents, DigiLocker or the mParivahan app. Many states, including Kerala, deliver the new smart card licence directly to your registered address by speed post.
- Visit Sarathi: Go to the Sarathi Parivahan website and choose your state.
- Open DL services: Click “Driving Licence” and then “Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others)”.
- Enter licence details: Type your DL number and date of birth, then click “Get DL Details”.
- Confirm your profile: Check the details and click “Proceed”.
- Choose the service: Tick “Issue of Duplicate DL” and select “Lost” as the reason.
- Upload documents: Add the police report, photo, signature and address proof.
- Pay and print: Complete the payment and print the acknowledgement slip.
- Track status: Check status with your application number.
Fees, Processing Time and Delivery
The fee to replace a lost RC book or licence is nominal and varies slightly by state and vehicle type. Smart card and postal charges are added during online payment, and the exact amount appears before you pay. Most applications are processed within seven to thirty working days. Once approved, the RTO sends the duplicate document by speed post, or you can collect it in person from the office.
Useful Tips to Avoid Delays
Always make sure your mobile number is linked with your vehicle and licence records, because every step depends on OTP verification. Upload clear scans under the size limit. If your vehicle has an active loan, get the financier NOC first. Lost your PAN card too? Read our guide on duplicate PAN card online apply, or use the UMANG app for other services.
Conclusion
A lost RC book or driving licence is no longer a stressful problem. With a police report, a few scanned documents and a registered mobile number, you can apply for a duplicate on the Vahan or Sarathi portal in minutes. Use the digital copies until the new card arrives, and store your documents safely in DigiLocker to stay stress-free on every trip.
