The difference between your official licence, its digital copy and a private PVC print, and what to carry when you drive in West Bengal.
Three different things
Your official licence is the one issued to you by the transport authority. A digital copy kept in DigiLocker or the mParivahan app is an electronic version of that record. A PVC print from a printing service is a private copy of a file you supply.
Only the first two come from the issuing system. The third is a convenient, durable copy and carries no security features of its own.
What the rules say
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued advisories to states about accepting licences and registration certificates shown electronically through DigiLocker or mParivahan, and press reports describe them as valid under the Motor Vehicles Act. These advisories and state practice can change, so check the current position with the West Bengal transport department or the portals before relying on it.
We have not found a rule that makes a private plastic print equal to an official card, so we do not say that it is. Acceptance of a printed copy at a check depends on the officer and the rules in force.
What to carry
Carry your official licence, or have it ready to show in DigiLocker or mParivahan. Use a PVC print as a sturdy backup for your wallet, not as a replacement for the official document.
If you want a durable copy of your own file, you can order one for your own use.
About this guide
Prepared by GiftKida and last updated on 27 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific situation, ask the transport authority.
PVC cards for this guide
- PVC Driving Licence Card Order Online
- Maharashtra Driving Licence PVC Card
- West Bengal Driving Licence PVC Card
- Uttar Pradesh Driving Licence PVC Card
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