DigiLocker & Driving Licence - Complete Legal & Usage Guide
DigiLocker is India's official digital document storage platform, developed by the Government of India. It allows citizens to store, access, and share digitally issued driving licences, RCs, and other identity documents.
However, DigiLocker is NOT an enforcement system — its role is very different from Parivahan or mParivahan.
This page explains:
- What DigiLocker actually does
- Whether DigiLocker DL is legally valid
- When police can accept or reject it
- How DigiLocker differs from mParivahan
- Common misconceptions that lead to fines
What Is DigiLocker?
DigiLocker is a secure cloud-based document wallet that:
- Stores issued government documents
- Pulls verified data from issuing authorities
- Allows QR-based document sharing
For driving licences:
- DL is fetched from Parivahan database
- Stored as a read-only digital record
- Linked to Aadhaar or mobile number
➡ Related system: How Parivahan Works.
Is Driving Licence on DigiLocker Legally Valid?
✅ YES - With Conditions
As per MoRTH notification:
- DigiLocker driving licence is legally valid
- It can replace a physical licence for citizens
- Police should accept it if data is valid
⚠️ Important limitation:
DigiLocker is not a real-time enforcement tool
➡ Enforcement system: mParivahan App Explained.
DigiLocker vs mParivahan (Critical Difference)
| Feature | DigiLocker | mParivahan |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Document storage | Enforcement & verification |
| Real-time status | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used by police | ❌ Not primary | ✅ Primary |
| Shows suspension | ❌ Sometimes delayed | ✅ Instant |
| Legal authority | Citizen proof | Police verification |
👉 If there is a mismatch, police trust mParivahan — not DigiLocker.
When DigiLocker Driving Licence Is Accepted
- ✔Traffic stop with valid licence
- ✔No suspension or court case
- ✔Licence properly synced
- ✔No enforcement flag
When DigiLocker DL May Be Rejected
- ❌Licence suspended
- ❌DL expired
- ❌Fake / old non-digitised DL
- ❌Data mismatch
- ❌Enforcement requires live verification
➡ Related penalties: Traffic Offences in India.
Common Myths About DigiLocker DL
- ❌"Police must accept DigiLocker always"
- ❌"DigiLocker updates licence status instantly"
- ❌"DigiLocker replaces mParivahan"
✅ Reality: DigiLocker is a storage tool, not a policing system.
Best Practice for Drivers (Very Important)
Always carry at least one of the following:
- Physical driving licence
- Digital DL on mParivahan
- DigiLocker DL (backup)
➡ Download option: Driving Licence Download.
How DigiLocker Gets Driving Licence Data
- Licence issued via Sarathi / RTO
- Stored in Parivahan database
- DigiLocker fetches copy
- Stored as static document
➡ Application system: Sarathi Portal Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is DigiLocker mandatory?
No. It is optional for citizens.
2.Can police fine me if DigiLocker DL is valid?
Only if licence is suspended, expired, or invalid in mParivahan.
3.Does DigiLocker show licence suspension?
Not reliably. Always check mParivahan.
4.Which app should I trust more?
For legality: mParivahan. For storage: DigiLocker.
Legal Disclaimer
This page is for informational purposes only. Acceptance of digital licences may vary based on enforcement conditions. Always follow official MoRTH and state transport notifications.