Delhi High Court: Driving Licence Invalid From Day After Expiry, No Grace Period Post-2019 Amendment

The Delhi High Court has clarified that after the 2019 amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act,1988, a driving licence does not remain valid even for a single day after its expiry. 

The Court said that from the very next day of expiry, a person becomes legally ineligible to drive unless the licence is renewed.

It rejected the argument that renewal within a certain period can “continue” the licence without a break.

The Court emphasised that the law no longer provides any grace period, and renewal will only be effective from the date it is actually granted, not from the date of expiry.

[Delhi Police & Anr. v. Sudheer Kumar]