Sarathi Parivahan App: Official App, Features & How to Use (2026)
Millions of people search for the Sarathi Parivahan app every month, hoping to manage their driving licence from their phone. But many end up downloading fake apps that ask for money or personal data. This guide clears up the confusion: which app is official, what it can do, and how to use it safely.
Is There an Official Sarathi Parivahan App?
Here is the honest answer: there is no separate app named “Sarathi”. Sarathi is the driving licence system of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and it runs as a website at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. The site works smoothly in any mobile browser.
The official mobile app for both licence (Sarathi) and vehicle (Vahan) services is NextGen mParivahan, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for MoRTH. When people say “Sarathi Parivahan app”, this is the app they actually need.
Key Features of the mParivahan App
- Digital driving licence: Add your DL and show it during traffic checks. A DL in mParivahan is accepted as a valid document.
- Virtual RC: Keep your vehicle registration certificate on your phone.
- DL and RC details: Check licence validity, vehicle class, and registration details anytime.
- Licence and vehicle services: Open Sarathi and Vahan services, such as DL renewal or RC-related applications, from one place.
- Second-hand vehicle check: Verify the registration details of a used vehicle before you buy it.
- Notifications: Get reminders about expiry of your licence, insurance or pollution certificate.
How to Download and Set Up the App
- Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Search for NextGen mParivahan.
- Check that the developer is listed as National Informatics Centre or the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Do not install apps from any other publisher.
- Install the app and sign up with your mobile number and OTP.
- Go to the DL or RC section and add your licence number or vehicle number.
- Verify with the OTP sent to the mobile number linked to your DL or RC.
Your digital licence and RC now appear in the app and can be shown on demand.
App or Website: Which Should You Use?
| Task | Best option |
|---|---|
| Show DL or RC during a traffic check | mParivahan app |
| Apply for a learner licence and take the online test | Sarathi website |
| Apply for a new DL or book a test slot | Sarathi website |
| Check application status | Either, website is more detailed |
| Verify a used vehicle | mParivahan app |
For document uploads, fee payments, and the learner licence test, the Sarathi website on a laptop gives the smoothest experience.
How to Spot a Fake Sarathi App
- It asks for a fee to download or to “activate” your licence. The official app is free.
- The publisher is not the National Informatics Centre.
- It promises a licence without a test or “guaranteed approval”.
- It opens websites that do not end in parivahan.gov.in.
- It asks for your bank PIN or card details outside the official payment gateway.
If you notice any of these, uninstall the app right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Sarathi Parivahan app free? Yes. The official NextGen mParivahan app is free to download and use. You pay only government fees for services.
- Can I apply for a learner licence through the app? The app links you to Sarathi services, but the full application and online LL test work best on the Sarathi website.
- Is a DL in the mParivahan app valid? Yes. A licence shown in mParivahan is accepted as a valid document by traffic police.
- Why is my DL not showing in the app? Check that you entered the DL number in the right format and that the mobile number linked with your licence is correct. Older licences may first need to be updated at the RTO.
Final Words
The “Sarathi Parivahan app” you are looking for is the official NextGen mParivahan app, with the Sarathi website for full licence applications. Use both together, install only the NIC app, and you can handle almost every licence task from your phone without agents.