“Your application is pending due to a medical certificate.”
That one line on the Parivahan website stopped everything.
I had logged in confidently, thinking my driving licence renewal would take five minutes.
Details filled. Fee paid. Documents uploaded.
Then this message appeared.
No explanation.
No next step shown clearly.
If you’ve ever tried renewing an old or expired driving licence online and suddenly hit a wall, this story may feel familiar.
The problem most people face (and don’t expect)
Like many Indians, I assumed licence renewal was simple:
- Apply online
- Pay the fee
- Download the renewed licence
What I didn’t realise was that age, expiry gap, and system rules matter a lot.
My licence had expired a few years ago.
I was also over 40.
Parivahan didn’t reject my application.
It just paused it — silently — waiting for a medical certificate.
That single missing document delayed everything.
Why Parivahan asks for a medical certificate
Parivahan follows Motor Vehicle Rules very strictly.
The system automatically checks:
- Your age
- When your licence expired
- How long it has been inactive
- Type of licence (private or transport)
If certain conditions are met, Parivahan flags the application and asks for medical fitness proof.
This is not random.
It’s built into the system.
Common situations where this happens:
- Licence expired more than 5 years ago
- Applicant is 40 years or older
- Transport or commercial licence renewal
- RTO-specific verification rules
In such cases, Parivahan requires Form 1A, not just a self-declaration.
What exactly is Form 1A (in simple words)
Form 1A is a doctor-issued medical fitness certificate.
It confirms that the person:
- Has acceptable eyesight
- Can hear properly
- Has no medical condition that affects driving
- Is mentally and physically fit to drive
This certificate must be issued by a registered medical practitioner.
It cannot be self-filled.
It cannot be skipped once Parivahan asks for it.
Who actually needs Form 1A medical certificate
Many people assume everyone needs it.
That’s not true.
You usually need Form 1A if any one of these applies to you:
- You are 40 years or older
- Your driving licence expired over 5 years ago
- Parivahan shows “Medical Certificate Required”
- You are renewing a transport/commercial licence
- Your RTO specifically asks for medical verification
Simple example:
Meena, age 45, renews her licence that expired 6 years ago.
Parivahan asks her to upload Form 1A before proceeding.
This is completely normal.
Common mistakes people make (that delay approval)
This is where many applications get stuck for weeks.
- Uploading Form 1 instead of Form 1A
- Using a certificate from an unregistered doctor
- Uploading blurred photos or incomplete scans
- Name or licence number mismatch
- Missing doctor seal or signature
- Uploading an old or undated certificate
Even one small error can keep your status on “pending”.
How a simple medical certificate fixed everything (step-by-step)
Once I understood the requirement, the solution was actually simple.
Step 1: Read the Parivahan message carefully
Don’t panic when you see “medical certificate required”.
Check:
- Is it asking for Form 1A specifically?
- Has the application been paused, not rejected?
Step 2: Don’t wait for RTO calls
Parivahan rarely sends reminders.
If the system asks for a document, you need to act.
Step 3: Consult a registered doctor
You don’t always need to visit multiple clinics.
Many people now choose:
- Online consultation with a registered doctor
- Medical evaluation via call or video
- Issuance of a Parivahan-compatible Form 1A
You can understand this process better here:
Form 1A Medical Certificate for Driving Licence Renewal
Step 4: Upload the certificate correctly
- Ensure all details match your application
- Upload a clear PDF or image
- Select the correct document slot on Parivahan
Step 5: Track status patiently
Once uploaded properly, most applications move forward within a few working days.
No agents.
No repeated RTO visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Form 1A mandatory for all licence renewals?
No.
It depends on age, expiry duration, and Parivahan system rules.
2. My licence expired long ago. Can I still renew it?
In most cases, yes.
Additional documents like Form 1A may be required.
3. Can online medical certificates be accepted?
Yes, if issued by a registered doctor and uploaded correctly.
4. Will I need to take a driving test again?
Usually no.
Medical fitness is the main requirement unless RTO specifies otherwise.
5. How recent should the medical certificate be?
It should be current at the time of application, not months old.
6. What happens if I ignore the medical certificate requirement?
Your application may remain pending or get rejected automatically.
Trust, legality, and peace of mind
Form 1A is:
- Recognised under Indian Motor Vehicle Rules
- Required by RTOs across India
- Accepted by Parivahan when issued correctly
Doctor verification ensures:
- Legal validity
- Accurate medical assessment
- Smooth application processing
This is not a loophole.
It’s the official process — just not clearly explained.
One last thing to remember
If your licence renewal feels “stuck”, it’s often not a big problem.
Most delays happen because one document is missing or misunderstood.
Once you submit the correct medical certificate, things usually fall into place.
If your Parivahan application is stuck due to medical certificate requirements, many people now consult a registered doctor online and upload Form 1A directly.
Get Form 1A Medical Certificate in Your Respective Cities
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Bangalore
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Delhi
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Noida
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Gurgaon
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Hyderabad
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Form 1A Medical Certificate in Kolkata
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Chennai
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Odisha
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Madhya Pradesh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Uttar Pradesh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Ghaziabad
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Bihar
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Meerut
Form 1A Medical Certificate in West Bengal
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Andhra Pradesh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Tamil Nadu
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Rajasthan
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Karnataka
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Gujarat
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Form 1A Medical Certificate in Kerala
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Punjab
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Form 1A Medical Certificate in Maharashtra
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Uttarakhand
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Himachal Pradesh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Chhattisgarh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Tripura
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Meghalaya
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Nagaland
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Goa
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Chandigarh
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Puducherry
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Jammu & Kashmir
Form 1A Medical Certificate in Ladakh