Driving License: Big news for everyone. Residents of Delhi no longer need to stress or travel long distances to get a driving license. A recent update has come to light regarding the process for obtaining a driving license in Delhi, which is particularly beneficial for those looking to acquire a new license. The Delhi Transport Department is set to reopen Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) that were previously closed, implementing a new system.
Reports indicate that a total of 13 RTOs may be reopened, one at a time, across each district in Delhi. At present, only four RTOs in Delhi—Mall Road, Sarai Kale Khan, Mayur Vihar, and Dwarka—provide offline services to the public. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many services transitioned online, resulting in the closure of numerous RTOs. As a result, individuals often encountered challenges when trying to obtain a driving license.
RTO offices may reopen
The Delhi Transport Department has stated that the reopening of these RTOs will offer relief to those who need in-person assistance rather than online services, particularly for tasks that cannot be completed digitally. This initiative aims to create a balance between online options and in-person services. Over the past few years, the department has introduced more than 33 services that do not require face-to-face interaction, yet some tasks still necessitate office visits. With the new system, if RTOs are reopened according to revenue districts, residents will no longer have to travel great distances for these services.
A report suggests that Delhi will now feature a total of 13 RTOs (Regional Offices) based on the new district framework. Previously, the Transport Department had gradually rolled out faceless services, moving nearly 90% of transportation-related tasks online. These services included learner’s licenses, renewals of driver’s licenses, duplicate licenses, vehicle title transfers, and various permit services. The goal was to alleviate congestion at RTOs, eliminate middlemen, and enhance transparency in operations. However, certain services still require physical verification, inspection, or document submission. This is the reason for the establishment of new RTO centers, which will help ease the burden on the existing four RTOs.
Where will the new RTOs open in the city?
Mall Road – Old Delhi
Jam Nagar House – New Delhi
Lado Sarai – South Delhi
Hari Nagar – West Delhi
Loni – North-East Delhi
Sarai Kale Khan – South-East Delhi
Mayur Vihar – East Delhi
Wazirpur – North Central Delhi
Dwarka – South-West Delhi
Raja Garden – Central Delhi
Rohini-1 – Outer North Delhi
Burari – North Delhi
Rohini-2 – North-West Delhi
DL-13 number series will start again
As part of administrative changes, the department has decided to reintroduce the DL-13 vehicle registration series. This series has been out of use for the past few years. The DL-13 series is being reintroduced to ensure a proper and streamlined vehicle registration system across districts. Now, the decision has been made to discontinue the DL-14 series. The DL-14 series was initially announced after the 13 series was discontinued, but is now being discontinued once again.
