mParivahan-DigiLocker: New Motor Rules include e-challan, digital copies of DL and RC

From October 1, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued new Motor Vehicle Rules. The new rules push digitisation and stringency in implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act. It will prevent harassment of drivers from traffic police officials, and no one will be able to get their way of the system. The act has issued necessary use of the mParivahan App or Digilocker.

The motive is to prevent unnecessary re-checking or inspection of vehicles and remove harassment of the drivers. Download the app and register through your mobile number.

Digitisation of Important Documents via the mParivahan App

The new changes include compulsory carrying of digital documents, and if a driver has the electronic doc, traffic police cannot demand inspection in physical forms. Even e-challans will also be made available on the govt's digital portal for the perusal of the traffic violators.

Initially, people would carry simple photographs of their License or RC, which will not be enough anymore. M-Parivahan app is a better option considering that you can download all documents of the driver and vehicle. Also, authorities can directly report a DL on the Digital Portal. That is, if a situation arises where a DL is to be disqualified or revoked for gross violations, the portal will be updated chronologically.

Use of Digilocker instead of the mParivahan App

Drivers can maintain their documents on Central govt's online portal like Digi-locker, as well. You don't need to mandatorily carry the physical documents anymore. DigiLocker is a government initiative for the concept of paperless governance/e-governance. Self uploaded documents can be eSigned which is similar to the process of self-attestation.

The proposition is still optional, but people are turning to it widely. It will reduce the burden of carrying a paper or losing the original documents.

Don't use the phone while driving; except navigation

The new rules have also made stricter rules on the use of mobile phones. The new rules state that a driver can solely use the device for route navigation. The challan for the same shall also go through the mParivahan app.

You will no longer need to carry the physical copy of your licence, registration certificate, permits, PUC and insurance documents of your vehicle.