RTO Form 7 - Laminated/Smart Card Driving Licence, Eligibility and Application Process

Form 7

RTO Form 7 is a Smart Card Driving License (SCDL), which is an updated version of your regular DL. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for all vehicle owners to have a valid DL in India. Smart cards have been designed as a more secure, durable DL with a chip embedded to store your data. Let us understand all about RTO Form 7.

What is RTO Form 7?

RTO Form 7 is a laminated/smart card driving license. As per Rule 16 (1) and (2) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, it is mandatory for licensing authorities to issue a DL in Form 7. The smart chip in this licence can store personal and biometric data that may be accessed during routine traffic checks and help in curbing vehicle-related crimes.

What is the Difference Between Old DL and the New DL (Form 7)?

These are some of the main differences between a traditional DL and a smart card DL (Form 7):

Basis of Comparison	Traditional DL	Smart Card DL (Form 7)
Physical Material	Paper, booklet, or plain PVC card	High-grade PVC Smart Card with lamination
Personal Details	Visual text only (on paper/card surface)	Embedded chip and QR code
Security Features	Minimal (signatures/stamps)	Biometric data, digital signatures, and holograms
Durability	Low as it is prone to tearing and ink fading.	High as it is tamper-proof and water-resistant.

What Details are Included in Form 7?

Listed below are the details included in Form 7:

Personal Details: Name of the licence holder, date of birth, blood group, whether he/she is an organ donor, father's/husband's name, and address.

Vehicle Categories: It specifies the categories of vehicles the licence holder is authorised to drive, like MCWG, LMV, etc.

DL Details: License number, issue date, validity, and licensing authority.

How to Download Form 7?

The process to download Form 7 is as follows:

Step 1: Go to the Parivahan Sewa website.

Step 2: From the navigation bar, tap on 'Informational Services'.

Step 3: Select the option given for 'Downloadable Forms'.

Step 4: Tap on the 'Form 7' link to download it.

How to Apply for RTO Form 7 Online?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has streamlined the Smart Card DL application process via the Parivahan Sewa portal. Here is the step-by-step guide for the same:

Step 1: Go to the official portal of the Parivahan Sewa.

Step 2: Click on 'Driving License Related Services', and select your state.

Step 3: Click on the option for 'Apply for Driving Licence'.

Step 4: Fill in the required sections and upload the required documents.

Step 5: Book a DL test slot and make the required fee payment.

Step 6: Take the test on the scheduled day. Your Form 7 will be delivered to your doorstep if you pass the test.

Documents Required for Form 7

To ensure your Smart Card DL application is not rejected, keep the following documents ready:

Age Proof: SSLC certificate, school/education/transfer certificate, passport, birth certificate, affidavit by notary/oath commissioner, life insurance policy, or PAN card.

Address Proof: Passport, affidavit by notary/oath commissioner, voter card (EPIC), life insurance policy, Aadhar card, bank statement/passbook, etc.

Fitness Certificates: Form 1 (physical fitness) and Form 1A (for applicants above 40 years of age or commercial vehicle drivers)

Photographs and Signature: Soft copies of your latest passport-size photographs and signature.

How to Convert a Traditional DL to a Smart Card?

You can apply for your old driving licence to a Smart Card DL (Form 7) through the given steps:

Step 1: Go to the official portal of the Parivahan Sewa.

Step 2: Under 'Online Services', click on 'Driving License Related Services' and select your state.

Step 3: Click on the option provided for 'Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others)' under 'Driving License' on the navigation bar.

Step 4: Read the information provided and click on 'Continue' to move to the next page.

Step 5: Enter your DL number, date of birth, and captcha code provided on the screen, and click on 'Get Details'.

Step 6: Enter the information required, click on the 'Replacement of DL' option on the next page, and click on 'Proceed'.

Step 7: Fill in the required information on the Form 1 (physical fitness) screen, check the provided boxes, select whether you are an organ donor, and enter the captcha code.

Step 8: Upload your existing DL on the next page and complete the payment.

Step 9: Your smart card DL (Form 7) will be sent to your registered address.

Frequently asked question

Form 7 refers to the Smart Card Driving License (SCDL). It is a more advanced and secure version of the traditional driving license. It is a mandatory requirement to drive a motorised vehicle on Indian roads.

In case your status indicates 'Printing of DL in Form 7 (smart card)', it may take around 7 to 10 working days to print your DL. However, it also depends on the workload of the RTO.

Some common information available in the Form 7 is personal details of the DL holder, the types of vehicles the licence holder is authorised to drive, and the validity details of the DL.

To convert your old driving licence (DL) into a smart card DL, you can apply through the official Parivahan Sewa website. First, go to the website and select 'Services on DL (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/IDP/Others)' under the 'Driving Licence' section in the navigation bar. Next, fill in the required details and submit Form 1 for the physical fitness self-declaration. After that, upload a copy of your existing DL and pay the applicable fee to complete the application for DL conversion.

There are two different medical forms that need to be submitted to procure a driving license. One form is the self-declaration of physical fitness through the Parivahan Sewa website. On the other hand, commercial vehicle drivers as well as those above the age of 40 need to submit the Form 1A after getting it signed by a certified medical professional.