If you drive, the driving license is one of the most important documents for you. But have you ever thought that if your driving license expires, then how many days it remains valid? Many people have a question in mind whether they can legally drive after expiry or they will have to get a new license immediately. Today we are going to give you all the information about this, so that you can understand the rules well and do not get into any trouble. This information written on the basis of transport rules will prove to be very useful for you.

Driving license in India is valid for a certain time. The driving license for private vehicles is usually valid for 20 years or by the age of 50 years of the license holder, whichever is earlier. At the same time, this period is 5 years for commercial vehicles. But what happens when this legitimacy is over? Under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, if your driving license expires, it is still considered valid for some time. According to the rules, a grace period of up to 30 days is given from the date of expiry. That is, during this time you can drive with your old license, provided you start the process of renewal.

This 30 days time is given so that people can get the license renewed among their busy schedule. But this does not mean that you should be negligent by taking advantage of this rule. If you do not renew your driving license within these 30 days, then it becomes completely illegal. In such a situation, if you are caught driving, then you may have to pay a fine. Under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, driving without a valid license can be fined up to Rs 5,000. Apart from this, if an accident occurs, the insurance claim may also face problems. Therefore, it is very important to update your license in time.

Renewing driving license has become much easier than ever before. You can do this in both online and offline ways. You have to go to your nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) or apply by visiting the website of the Transport Department. For this, some important documents such as Aadhaar card, old license, passport size photo and medical certificate (if age are more than 40) will be required. Renual fees are also not high-about 200-400 rupees for private vehicles and a little more for commercial. If you renew after a grace period, you may also have to pay late fees, which can range from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000.

Many people think that there is no hurry to renew the license after expiry, but this misunderstanding can put you in trouble. The traffic police nowadays checks strictly, and if your license is found illegal, then not only fine, but also legal action may be faced. These rules are more strict for commercial drivers, especially, because they are more responsible. Therefore, the advice is to check the status of your license before the expiry date and get it renewed on time when needed.