Smart Card Driving Licenses have slowly been replacing conventional driving licenses. The driving license has now been transformed into a smart card with all the relevant information within it. The name of the driver, gender, address, photographs, and unique identification number is in an electronic format on the card. People can apply & check their driving license status online.
However, it’s difficult to imagine how a slab of plastic replaced the mandatory paper counterpart. This article takes a look at what a smart card driving license is, why it is preferred over the regular paper license books, and how you can get one for yourself.
What is SCDL?
SCDL stands for Smart Card Driving License.
It is a significant improvement over the nation’s previously employed paper driving license booklets. This Card is constructed of high-quality plastic and has a 64kb microprocessor. These processors aid in the recording of all driver data, such as identity, address, fingerprints, retinal scans, as well as other necessary data. Via the availability of the National Informatics Center, any Regional Transport Office, and any officer on duty with a computer that can scan the processor and obtain all of the data on the Card.
Eligibility Criteria
The succeeding criteria must be met to obtain an SCDL:
- When registering for a Smart Card Driving License for a motorbike with a capacity of more than 50cc, applicants should be 18 years old or older.
- When registering for a Smart Card Driving License for a motorbike with a capacity of less than 50cc, applicants should be 16 years old or older. A letter of approval from the individual’s parent or legal guardian is also necessary for this circumstance.
- For heavy vehicles, the candidate should have finished the eighth grade and be 18 years old or older.
Required Paperwork
Certain papers are necessary in order to properly register for an SCDL:
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Age
- Copy of Passport
- Birth Certificate
- PAN Card
- School transfer certificate with the date of birth printed on it
- Certificate of SSC
- Passport-size photographs
- Form 1 (Statement of Physical Fitness)
- Form 1A (Healthcare Certificate)
- Form 4 (Permanent License)
- Smart Card Driving License Application
All of the aforementioned forms may be obtained from the nearby Regional Transport Office or downloaded digitally from the Regional Transport Office’s official webpage. An SCDL will be provided only if the 200 INR application fees are collected. This fee must be charged when the application paperwork and any accompanying papers are filed either offline or online. You can easily apply for it online & check your driving license status.
How to register for SCDL?
- Go to the state transportation department’s webpage.
- Save the Smart Card Driving License application on your computer.
- Complete the application correctly and add the needed papers.
- Go to your town’s RTO and turn in the paperwork and documentation.
- Submit the money and make an appointment for the driving test.
- Schedule and pass the driving test.
- If approved, biometrics such as retina scans, fingerprints, and photos will be collected.
- Double-check the data.
- If the inspector approves the road test, a Smart Card Driving License (SCDL) will be delivered to the specified address. You can always check your driving license status online.
How to check Driving License Status?
- Go to the webpage of the State Transportation Department of the state where you reside.
- Select “DL and LL Registration” from the drop-down menu.
- After being routed, select the “Know your application status” option.
- Insert the individual’s application id, which may be located on the application page.
- After inputting the application id, select the “Submit” button.
- A new website with the driving license status will appear, allowing you to verify the facts. It is always a good practice to keep a check on your driving license status.
Benefits of an SCDL
These are among the most significant benefits of having an SCDL:
- SCDL contains all of the car driver’s data and cannot be altered, eliminating the possibility of fraudulent identities.
- All of the data on the SCDL can only be edited to include or alter specific information and cannot be wiped, making it an everlasting document.
- SCDLs will prevent the circulation of forged registration data and expired driver’s licenses.
- The SCDL is significantly more sturdy and easier to use than a traditional driving license booklet.
Conclusion
A lot of research was put in to make the Smart Card Driving License a reality, and it is slowly but surely becoming the most widespread form of an identification document in India. The ease with which one can carry more information, store photographs, and track details using the technology has led to this document earning its place as a replacement for the paper version. It is also one of the best ways to fight identity theft and fraud, which is becoming quite a rampant problem.
The risk of losing your wallet or purse is reduced when all of your important information can fit on a tiny chip in your license. As more states begin to adopt this technology, more and more people will likely convert to the Smart Card form of their license.
