A traffic officer asks for your driving licence.
It is at home, in the drawer with the RC.
You have photos of both on your phone, but a photo is not proof.
DigiLocker can be, if you use it the right way.
What is DigiLocker?
It is a free government app and website for keeping official documents.
You sign in with your mobile number and Aadhaar.
Many documents can then be fetched straight from the authority that issued them.
Does a DigiLocker document really count?
Documents issued into DigiLocker by the department itself are treated as equal to the originals.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has confirmed this under the IT rules.
That includes things like your driving licence, vehicle RC and many marksheets, when fetched from the issuer.
What is the difference between issued and uploaded?
This is the part most people miss.
An issued document comes directly from the department's records.
An uploaded document is a scan or photo you added yourself.
Uploaded files are handy for storage, but they do not carry the same legal weight.
So fetch the issued version wherever it is available.
How do I fetch an issued document?
Open the DigiLocker app.
Go to the search or "Get more documents" section.
Search for the document, for example "Driving Licence", and pick the issuing state or body.
Enter the number it asks for, and confirm.
The document appears under Issued Documents.
Will everyone accept it?
Most government offices and many organisations do.
Some places still ask for physical copies, out of habit or their own rules.
Carry the original when you know a process is strict, like a passport appointment.
How do I keep it safe?
Use the official DigiLocker app or digilocker.gov.in only.
Set a security PIN in the app.
Never share the OTP from DigiLocker with anyone who calls you.
Things to Remember
- Documents issued into DigiLocker by the authority count as originals.
- Your own scans and photos do not carry the same weight.
- Fetch the driving licence and RC as issued documents.
- Carry physical originals for strict processes.
- Use only the official app or
digilocker.gov.in.