How to Store Your Car Documents in DigiLocker?

It is essential to carry your car documents and your driving licence with you while driving your car. However, not being able to provide valid documents while driving may invite penalties. Unfortunately, many people have faced these penalties as they forgot to carry physical copies of their driving licence, car registration, and other essential documents while driving their car. 

The good news is - with the new amendments under section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act, you can store critical car documents in a digital format. This enables you to get away with the hassle of carrying physical copies while driving and avoid penalties. With the help of the DigiLocker app, you can store your car’s documents in a digital format.

What is DigiLocker?

DigiLocker, as the name suggests, is a digital locker. It is a government initiative to upload and store your scanned documents by providing your Aadhaar Card number only. The documents related to your car that can be stored in the DigiLocker are as follows.

• The Registration Card (RC) of Your Car: It proves that you can legally drive the car in question.

• Your Driving Licence (DL): It proves that you are legally allowed to drive a car in India.

• Insurance Papers of Your Car: As per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1998, it is mandatory to own at least a Third-party car insurance policy. 

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: It proves that the gasses released from your car are well within the standards set by the concerned authority.

Thanks to the DigiLocker app, all you need to carry now is your mobile phone.

How to Upload Documents in DigiLocker?

Here’s a step-by-step process to upload and store all the documents related to your car in DigiLocker.   

Step 1: Download the DigiLocker App on Your Smartphone Go to the AppStore of your IOS phone or the PlayStore of your Android phone and download the DigiLocker app on your mobile phone. You can also access the same online through the official website of DigiLocker.

Step 2: Sign Up Enter your valid mobile number to sign up and create a DigiLocker account.

Step 3: Verify Your Mobile Number A One-Time-Password (OTP) will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 4: Create Username Once validated, you will have to create a username and password for your account.

Step 5: Update Your Aadhar Card Number and Verify Register yourself by typing in your Aadhaar card number in the specified box. Again, an OTP will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number for authentication. Once done, your Aadhaar card will be displayed shortly. Your personal details, such as name, date of birth, address, etc., will get automatically saved. Please note that your mobile number has to be linked with your Aadhaar card number. Also, the details in your Aadhaar card should be the same as the details on your other documents, such as your Driving Licence.

Step 6: Start Storing DocumentsOnce you have successfully created your DigiLocker account, you can start storing the documents related to your vehicle.

Step 7: Select the Type of DocumentsYou will get to see three tabs - Home, Issued Documents and Browse. First, go to the “Home” screen and select the document issuing agency; in this case, The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.For example, if you wish to download your driving licence, you need to click on “Driving Licence”. Your name and date of birth will be automatically displayed.

Then, key in your Driving Licence (DL) number, check the acknowledgment box and select the “Get Document” option. Information related to your DL is maintained in the Ministry’s official database. Hence, once you enter your DL number, your DL will be automatically fetched from the database, as mentioned earlier. Note: However, DigiLocker has to identify your licence number to keep the soft copies of your documents. Hence, make sure you have updated your driving licence.

Note: However, DigiLocker has to identify your licence number to keep the soft copies of your documents. Hence, make sure you have updated your driving licence.

Step 8: Save All Your Relevant Documents in DigiLockerYou can now proceed to save other car documents, such as the Registration Card, Insurance papers and the PUC Certificate. Select your insurance company and follow a few simple steps to store the insurance document in your DigiLocker account.

• Select “Banking and Insurance”

• Choose “Your Insurer”

• Hit on the “Car” option

• Type in the policy number and your registered mobile number

• The policy PDF will be retrieved and saved in your DigiLocker account

• For future reference, you can select “Issued Documents” and fetch your policy document

Step 9: Authenticate Your DocumentsYou will have to authenticate your car Registration Certificate and your Driver’s Licence by providing your digital signature. It can also be verified using a QR code.

DigiLocker lets you create a separate folder for each car in case you own more than one car. The documents in DigiLocker are considered to be as good as the original document. Hence, it is important to update all your documents with your current phone number and email id, so that all changes can be made promptly, in case of a change in coordinates.

Conclusion

In today’s world, where almost everything is available just at the tap of a finger, it only makes sense to digitise all your important documents in a manner that helps us retrieve them straight away. 

The importance of storing your documents in DigiLocker is mentioned below.

• Access documents anywhere and anytime.

• Secure and safe place to store documents. 

• Store all your documents in a consolidated place.

• Saves time and paperwork.

• Hassle-free as you are no longer required to carry the physical documents.

• Authentication of official papers made easy.

Frequently Asked Questions About DigiLocker App

Frequently Asked Questions About DigiLocker App

Are there any charges for DigiLocker?

There are no charges for using DigiLocker. The service is entirely free of cost.

What is the storage capacity of DigiLocker?

The DigiLocker provides free storage of 1 GB per person for online storing of essential documents and certificates in a soft copy, which can also be shared via email.

Is there an e-Signature facility available with DigiLocker?

Yes, an e-Signature facility is available with DigiLocker, wherein the documents can be digitally signed and sent across for verification.

Is the Aadhar card mandatory for having a DigiLocker?

The Aadhar number and a registered phone number is mandatory for having a DigiLocker. A physical Aadhar card copy is not required. However, without the Aadhar number, opening a DigiLocker Account is not possible.

What type of files can I upload on the DigiLocker app?

You can upload the documents on the DigiLocker app in PDF, JPEG and PNG format.

Is it compulsory to carry vehicle-related documents while driving my car?

Yes, it is mandatory to carry vehicle-related documents such as a vehicle registration certificate, car insurance document, PUC certificate and driving licence. You may have to produce the documents if your vehicle is stopped for an inspection by the authorities.

What should I do if I forget the username or password of my DigiLocker?

You need not enter any username or password on the DigiLocker app. All you need to do is enter your Aadhaar number or mobile number. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and log in to the DigiLocker app.