Man Moves Kerala High Court Against RTO For Failure To Issue Hard Copy Of Renewed Driving Licence Despite Collecting Print & Dispatch Fee

The petitioner claims he has a valid driving licence which would expire in March 2024. He had thus submitted an application for renewal of his driving licence along with prescribed documents and renewal fees. As per the instructions received, he was informed that a soft copy of the renewed driving licence could be downloaded on DigiLocker and mParivahan mobile apps.

The specific grievance of the petitioner is that the respondents have collected fees for printing and dispatching of the driving licence after its renewal. He avers that respondents cannot divert the fees collected for a driving licence by not providing its hard copy and by giving instructions for downloading it online on DigiLocker.

“The reason for not providing the driving licence, the petitioner understand, is the arrears to be given to the firm who is printing the driving licence and also arrears to be given to the postal department for dispatching the driving licence and resgitration certificate”, the plea claims.

It adds that the petitioner is not in the habit of carrying his mobile phone and hence he would not be able to show the driver's licence on his phone if he was asked to show it by the authorities. "Even if the mobile is taken it cannot be assured that mobile range and sufficient battery charge will be there on all the places where the petitioner is asked to show the driving license," the plea contends.

A single-judge bench of Justice N Nagaresh will hear the matter on February 13.

The plea has been moved by N Prakash who is appearing party-in person.

Case title: N Prakash v State of Kerala

Case number: WPC No. 4559/2024