What your driver license number is and where to find it

Your Indian driver license number is a unique 16-character code printed on your physical license. It appears in the top right corner of the front side of the card, below your photograph. The number is also listed on the back of the license and in your digital license record if you have one through the mParivahan app.

The format is always the same: two letters followed by 13 digits. The first two letters represent your state code (for example, DL for Delhi, MH for Maharashtra, KA for Karnataka). The remaining digits encode information about when and where your license was issued, your license category, and a unique identifier assigned to you.

If you have a physical license in hand right now, look at the top right of the front side. The number will be clearly printed there in a larger font than most other text on the card. If you cannot locate your physical license, you can retrieve your number through the Sarthi portal or the mParivahan mobile app, both run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Key Takeaways

  • Your driver license number is a 16-character code with two state letters followed by 13 digits, printed in the top right corner of your physical license.
  • The state code at the start of your number tells you which Regional Transport Office issued your license.
  • You can find your number on your physical card, through the Sarthi online portal, or in the mParivahan app without needing to visit an office.
  • Your license number is required for vehicle registration, insurance, traffic violations, and loan or rental applications.
  • The number remains the same throughout your life unless you renew your license, in which case you receive a new number.

How the state code at the beginning works

The first two letters of your driver license number are your state code. This code identifies which Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued your license, not necessarily where you currently live. If you obtained your license in Maharashtra but later moved to Tamil Nadu, your license number will still begin with MH.

Each state and union territory has its own two-letter code. Some common codes are: DL (Delhi), MH (Maharashtra), KA (Karnataka), TN (Tamil Nadu), UP (Uttar Pradesh), GJ (Gujarat), WB (West Bengal), and HR (Haryana). If you are unsure which state your license came from, the state code in your number will tell you when ready.

This matters because if you need to renew your license or report it lost, you will contact the RTO in the state where you originally obtained it, not your current state. The Sarthi portal lets you search for your RTO by state code if you need to reach them.

Retrieving your number through Sarthi or mParivahan

The Sarthi portal (sarthi.parivahan.gov.in) is the official online system run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. To find your driver license number there, you will need your name, date of birth, and the state where you obtained your license. The portal will display your license details, including your full 16-character number.

The mParivahan app is a mobile version of the same system. You can read it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, log in with your credentials, and view your license information. Many people use mParivahan to carry a digital copy of their license on their phone, which shows your number alongside your photograph and validity dates.

If you do not have an account on either system, you will need to create one using your mobile number and email address. The registration process takes a few minutes. Once registered, you can log in anytime to view your license number without visiting an RTO office.

Why you need your driver license number and when to use it

Your driver license number is required for several important transactions. Insurance companies ask for it when you purchase or renew vehicle insurance. Banks and finance companies need it when you take out a loan for a vehicle. Vehicle rental companies ask for it before handing over a car or two-wheeler.

Traffic police use your license number to record violations and fines. If you are stopped for a traffic offense, the officer will note your number in their system. You can later check the status of any fine through the Sarthi portal using your license number and vehicle registration number.

Your license number also appears on your vehicle registration certificate (RC) and is linked to your vehicle's records at the RTO. If you sell your vehicle, the buyer will need your license number to transfer the registration into their name.

What happens when you renew your license

When your driver license expires and you renew it, you receive a new 16-character license number. The new number will still begin with the same state code (unless you have moved to a different state and choose to transfer your license). The remaining digits will be different because they encode the new issue date and validity period.

Your old license number becomes inactive once your new license is issued. Any records linked to the old number — such as vehicle registrations or insurance policies — should be updated with your new number. Most insurance companies and RTOs handle this automatically, but it is worth confirming with them after you receive your renewed license.

If you lose your license and obtain a duplicate or replacement, you will also receive a new number. The old number is deactivated in the system to prevent misuse.

Understanding the digits after the state code

The 13 digits that follow your state code contain encoded information, though you do not need to decode them yourself. The digits include the year and month your license was issued, the district code of the RTO that issued it, your license category (such as LMV for light motor vehicle or HMV for heavy motor vehicle), and a unique serial number assigned to you.

The exact structure varies slightly by state, but the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways maintains a standard format. If you are curious about what your specific digits represent, the Sarthi portal displays all of this information in a readable format alongside your license number.

For most purposes, you only need to know your full 16-character number. You do not need to memorize or understand the individual digit breakdown — the system handles that automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my license number to check traffic violations?

Yes. Visit the Sarthi portal or your state's RTO website and enter your license number along with your vehicle registration number. The system will show any pending fines or violations recorded against you. You can pay fines online through the same portal in most states.

What should I do if I cannot remember my license number?

Log into the Sarthi portal or mParivahan app using your name, date of birth, and state code. Both systems will display your full license number. If you do not have online access, visit your nearest RTO office with your identity proof and they can provide your number.

Does my license number change if I move to a different state?

No, your number stays the same. However, if you want a license issued by your new state's RTO, you can explore for a transfer. This process gives you a new license number with your new state's code. Your old license becomes invalid once the transfer is complete.

Is my driver license number the same as my vehicle registration number?

No, they are different. Your license number identifies you as a driver. Your vehicle registration number (also called the registration plate number) identifies your specific vehicle. Both numbers are linked in the RTO system, but they serve different purposes.

Can someone misuse my driver license number?

It is possible but uncommon. Your license number is not sensitive information in the way a bank account number is. However, you should not share it unnecessarily. If you suspect misuse — such as traffic violations you did not commit — contact your RTO when ready with proof of your identity and they can investigate.