In a landmark administrative reform aimed at easing long-standing procedural hurdles, the Punjab Government has delegated the authority for clearing the backlog of Registration Certificates (RC) and Driving Licenses (DL) to regional registering and licensing authorities across the state. The move is expected to provide substantial relief to the general public, many of whom have been waiting for years to regularize their documents.
Announcing the decision, Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that citizens can now get their old vehicles and driving licenses digitized online and renew their documents by following a prescribed verification process. “The lack of approvals for outdated RCs and DLs and their non-digitization had become a significant bottleneck. This decision will empower regional offices to expedite the work and provide faster services to the public,” he said.
As per the new guidelines, all regional registering and licensing authorities have been directed to initiate immediate clearance of backlog cases. The Minister emphasized that documents must meet conditions laid out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with specific reference to a directive issued by the State Transport Commissioner on May 24, 2024.
To ensure authenticity, a verified affidavit from an Executive Magistrate will be required in each RC and DL backlog case, certifying key details such as category, validity, issuing authority, tax status, and the accuracy of personal information. For RC entries, a physical inspection report from a Motor Vehicle Inspector, verifying chassis and engine numbers, must be uploaded online.
In addition, transfer records of vehicles across multiple owners will be digitized to maintain ownership history transparency. For DL backlogs, verification and digitization will occur through the Sarathi software, and will require authenticated copies of licenses, birth and address proof, and the original license copy.
To maintain transparency and accountability, Bhullar said that only permanent departmental employees will be permitted to process backlog entries. “The responsibility for any false or incorrect entry will lie squarely with the registering or licensing authority concerned,” he warned. Authorities have also been instructed to submit daily reports of approvals to the headquarters in a standardized format.
“This initiative will not only clear the decades-old backlog but also reinforce public trust in a more responsive and accountable transport administration,” the Minister added.