- https://www.bajajfinserv.in/insurance/duplicate-driving-licence
- https://paytm.com/blog/driving-licence/duplicate-driving-licence/
Summary
Losing or damaging a driving licence can be an inconvenient and stressful experience, but obtaining a replacement is a formalized process governed by legal requirements. An affidavit is often required when someone applies for a duplicate driving licence because the Regional Transport Office (RTO) needs a legally sworn declaration confirming the circumstances of the loss. The RTO may request an affidavit if the licence is lost, stolen, damaged, or misplaced, and it serves as a legal declaration confirming the situation. This document is an important part of the application for a duplicate license, ensuring the RTO has a verified, official account of the incident. Understanding how to prepare an affidavit for a duplicate driving licence correctly is essential for a smooth, fast replacement process.
What Is an Affidavit for a Duplicate Driving Licence?
An affidavit for a duplicate driving licence is a mandatory, sworn legal declaration provided by the license holder to the RTO. This affidavit explains the loss, theft, or damage of the original licence. It is signed by the licence holder and notarized by an authorized official. Its purpose is to legally confirm that the original document is lost, serving as a legally accountable statement under the penalty of perjury and preventing potential misuse of the lost licence.
When Do You Need an Affidavit for a Duplicate Driving Licence?
The RTO requires a legal declaration to formally absolve the license holder of responsibility for the original document and to prevent any future misuse. [1]
- When the original physical document is lost or stolen (this situation usually also requires filing an FIR) without the owner’s knowledge.
- When the original document is torn, faded, or damaged so badly that the details are unreadable.
- In certain states or for minor damage cases, an affidavit may be accepted instead of a police report.
- Regardless of the circumstances, the RTO may still demand a sworn declaration to strengthen the application's legal basis.
Documents Required for Driving Licence Affidavit
To make the affidavit for lost license legally valid and acceptable to the RTO, the affiant must present specific personal and incident-related documents to the Notary Public. [2]
- Valid, government-issued photo identification and bills of the license holder (affiant) for identity and address verification.
- Any document or record (e.g., photocopy of the old license, RTO application form copy) that mentions the lost driving licence number.
- A copy of the police report filed regarding the theft or loss of the license and other documents.
- Recent photograph of the applicant (optional for affidavit, but mandatory for the RTO application).
- The details of the application (Form LLD or similar) are to be referenced in the affidavit.
How to Make an Affidavit for a Duplicate Driving Licence?
Creating the legal declaration involves careful drafting, printing on legal paper, and mandatory attestation by an authorized official. This outlines how to make affidavit for a duplicate driving licence.
Step 1: Draft the Affidavit
Draft affidavit in the first person, including all personal details and details of the license. It must be a detailed declaration explaining when, where, and how the lost driving licence occurred. Ensure the affidavit format for a lost driving license is correct.
Step 2: Purchase Required Stamp Paper
The finalized text of the affidavit must be printed or typed onto non-judicial stamp paper of the appropriate value. This is typically ₹10 or ₹20, depending on the state's stamp duty regulations for declarations. Utilizing services that provide an e-affidavit can sometimes streamline this step.
Step 3: Attach Supporting Documents
The affiant must attach legible photocopies of the supporting documents—especially the ID proof and the FIR copy (if applicable)—to the affidavit as annexures before visiting the notary.
Step 4: Visit a Notary Public
The affiant must personally visit a Notary Public, Oath Commissioner, or Magistrate. The affiant must present their original ID. The affidavit for a lost license must be signed in the presence of a notary to confirm the affiant's identity and willingness.
Step 5: Notary Attestation
The Notary Public verifies the identity, administers the oath, and then completes the attestation by affixing their official seal, signature, and registration number. This legally completes the notarization, making the document ready for submission to the RTO.
Cost of Lost License Affidavit and Duplicate License
The total cost of securing a duplicate driving licence comprises the legal document fee and the RTO processing charge. The stamp paper used for the affidavit typically costs ₹10 to ₹20, and the official notarization fee ranges between ₹50 and ₹100. Duplicate driving license fee at RTO varies by state (typically ₹200-₹500). FIR filing is free. Total cost for the complete process: approximately ₹300- ₹700.
Affidavit for Duplicate Licence vs FIR – When Do You Need Both?
Both the FIR and the affidavit serve distinct, yet often complementary, legal purposes when applying for a replacement license. The affidavit is a self-declaration made under oath (what is an affidavit for a lost license), while the FIR is a police record confirming that the loss or theft has been officially reported to the law enforcement agency.
| Situation | FIR Required? | Affidavit Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Lost licence | Yes, mandatory in most states. | Yes, generally mandatory. |
| Stolen licence | Yes, absolutely mandatory. | Yes, confirming the facts under oath. |
| Damaged licence | No, typically not required. | Yes, to explain the extent of the damage. |
| Missing details | No, typically not required. | Yes, to declare the correct details under oath. |
AFFIDAVIT FOR DUPLICATE DRIVING LICENCE
I, _________________________, son/daughter/wife of _________________________, aged _____ years, residing at ____________________________________________________________, do hereby solemnly affirm and state as follows:
- That I am the holder of a Driving Licence bearing No. _________________________, issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) _________________________ on _________________________.
- That my original Driving Licence has been lost/misplaced/stolen/damaged on or about _________________________ at _________________________.
- That despite my best efforts, I have not been able to trace/recover the said Driving Licence.
- That I have lodged a police complaint/FIR regarding the loss of my Driving Licence at _________________________ Police Station vide Complaint/FIR No. _________________________, dated _________________________ (if applicable).
- That the said Driving Licence has not been confiscated or suspended by any authority, nor has it been deposited with any court or office.
- That I have not applied for or obtained any other duplicate Driving Licence from any authority so far.
- That I am executing this affidavit to apply for issuance of a Duplicate Driving Licence from the concerned RTO.
- That the statements made above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and nothing material has been concealed therefrom.
DEPONENT
Signature: _________________________
Name: _________________________
VERIFICATION
I, the above-named deponent, do hereby verify that the contents of this affidavit from paragraph 1 to 8 are true and correct to my knowledge and belief, and nothing material has been concealed.
Verified at _________________________ on this _____ day of _________________________, 20_____.
Signature of Deponent: _________________________
Solemnly affirmed and signed before me on this _____ day of ________, 20 at _________________________
Signature of Notary/Public: _________________________
Name & Seal: _________________________
Process to Apply for a Duplicate License After an Affidavit
The final step is submitting the legally verified documents to the RTO to obtain the physical duplicate driving licence. After obtaining a notarized affidavit, the applicant must visit the concerned RTO or apply online through the centralized Parivahan portal. The applicant fills out the duplicate license application form (Form LLD), attaches the affidavit for lost license, FIR (if applicable), identity proof, address proof, and photographs. Pay the duplicate license fee. RTO verifies documents and issues duplicate licenses within 7-15 days.
How NoBroker Can Help with Lost License Affidavit?
Navigating the necessary legal and RTO formalities to replace a lost licence is made simple and secure with professional support. NoBroker provides a ready affidavit format for lost driving license templates, ensuring the document includes all required personal and incident details. We assist with proper drafting, arrange stamp paper procurement, connect you with verified notaries for quick attestation, offer doorstep services, and guide you through the complete RTO submission process for hassle-free duplicate license issuance, ensuring you know exactly how to get an affidavit of lost license.

