How to Check DL Status Online in Karnataka

Karnataka has built one of the most digitally advanced driving licence systems in India. Bengaluru's automated test tracks were among the first in the country, and the state's RTO network has been deeply integrated with the national Sarathi platform for years. Despite this, the period between passing your test and holding the physical smart card can still feel opaque, particularly if the expected delivery window passes without an arrival.

Knowing how to check DL status in Karnataka online accurately means you can track your application through every stage, identify delays before they become problems, and know exactly when to escalate. This guide covers all three check methods, what each status message actually means, a comprehensive Karnataka RTO list, and detailed troubleshooting for every issue that commonly affects Karnataka applicants.

Check DL Status in Karnataka, Overview

Karnataka's driving licence issuance runs entirely on the national Sarathi database managed by MoRTH. The state has over 60 RTOs across districts and taluks, from Bengaluru's cluster of city RTOs to offices in Bidar, Vijayapura, Kodagu, and Udupi. All of them use the same backend, which means your Karnataka driving licence status check works identically regardless of which office issued your licence. Karnataka DL numbers follow this format:

Since Karnataka operates through the national Sarathi platform the tracking workflow is largely similar to the broader DL Application Process India users follow across most states.

KA-[RTO Code]-[Year of Issue]-[7-digit unique number]

For example, KA-01-2024-0012345 was issued by RTO-01 (Bengaluru East). KA-09 covers Mysuru, KA-19 is Mangaluru, and KA-25 is Hubballi. If you are unsure of your RTO code, the first two letters after KA tell you the issuing office, and that is the RTO you should contact for any in-person queries.

Before starting your Karnataka DL status online check, have one of the following ready:

• Your application number (from your Sarathi/Parivahan submission email or SMS)
• Your DL number (the KA-prefixed number)
• Your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format

Method 1, Check DL Status via Parivahan (with Karnataka RTO)

The Parivahan interface used for Karnataka is also similar to the system used for Tamil Nadu DL Status Check since both states operate through the centralized Sarathi infrastructure.

Step 1: Open parivahan website in your browser. Click Driving Licence Related Services on the Online Services menu.

Step 2: A state selection dropdown appears. Select Karnataka. You are redirected to the Karnataka Sarathi portal.

Step 3: On the top menu, click Application Status.

Step 4: Choose whether to search by application number or DL number. For applications in progress, use the application number. For tracking after a DL is already issued (for example, after a renewal), use the DL number. Enter your number and date of birth.

Step 5: Solve the captcha and click Submit.

Step 6: Your Karnataka driving licence status is displayed. Here is what each stage means and what action, if any, you should take:

• Application Submitted: Received successfully. Processing has begun. No action needed.
• Documents Pending / Under Scrutiny: Your uploaded documents are being reviewed. Expected duration: 3 to 7 working days. If beyond 14 working days, contact your RTO.
• Slot Booked / Test Scheduled: Your driving test appointment is confirmed. Note the date, time, and RTO address.
• Test Passed: The driving test has been cleared. Smart card production begins now.
• DL Generated: Smart card has been produced and is awaiting dispatch to Speed Post. This stage typically lasts 1 to 3 working days before dispatching.
• Dispatched: Speed Post has taken custody of the parcel. Note the consignment number visible on this screen for India Post tracking.
• Delivered: Speed Post has recorded delivery to your registered address.

For Karnataka DL application tracking, the transition from "DL Generated" to "Dispatched" is worth watching closely. Bengaluru RTOs typically move through this transition within 2 working days, though during high-volume periods it can extend to 4 or 5 days.

Method 2, Check DL Status via Sarthi4

The Karnataka Sarthi4 DL check is accessed at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/sarathiService, a separate URL from the main Parivahan portal but pulling from the same database. It is useful when the Parivahan portal is loading slowly or producing timeout errors.

Applicants who have previously used Maharashtra DL Status Check on Parivahan will notice that Karnataka follows nearly the same tracking structure and application status flow.

Step 1: Navigate to parivanhan website state selection

Step 2: Select Karnataka from the state dropdown.

Step 3: In the navigation panel, look for and click Application Status.

Step 4: Enter your application number or DL number and date of birth. Complete the captcha.

Step 5: Your KA DL status is displayed. The information mirrors what you would see on the Parivahan portal, both draw from the same Sarathi national registry.

One useful scenario for Sarthi4: applicants who applied using the newer Sarthi4 form interface sometimes find that their records are indexed slightly differently, and Sarthi4 returns their status faster than Parivahan for this reason. If Parivahan is returning "not found" despite a recent application, try the same search on Sarthi4 before assuming there is an actual record error.

Method 3, Check DL Status via mParivahan App

The mParivahan app is the best mobile-based option for a quick Karnataka driving licence status check once a DL has been issued and entered into the national database.

Once the licence status shows as issued applicants can also Download DL in Karnataka digitally through mParivahan or DigiLocker for immediate use before the physical smart card arrives.

Step 1: Install the mParivahan app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It is free and published by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Step 2: Open the app and register or log in using your mobile number. OTP verification is required for first-time setup.

Step 3: On the home screen, tap My DL.

Step 4: Enter your Karnataka DL number (KA prefix) and date of birth.

Step 5: If your DL is in the national Sarathi database, your virtual DL card loads on screen. This confirms your Karnataka DL status as active. The card shows your name, photograph, vehicle class authorisations, validity period, and a QR code for live verification.

What mParivahan confirms vs what Parivahan shows: The mParivahan app is an issuance confirmation tool, it tells you whether the DL exists and is valid. It does not display pre-issuance tracking stages. For monitoring where an application is in processing (scrutiny, test scheduled, DL generated), Parivahan or Sarthi4 are the right tools. Use mParivahan once you believe the DL has been issued, to confirm it is active in the system.

Karnataka RTO Contact Details

Karnataka has RTOs across all districts. The following table covers the major ones most applicants deal with.

City / Area	RTO Code
Bengaluru East	KA-01
Bengaluru North	KA-02
Bengaluru South	KA-05
Bengaluru (Rajajinagar)	KA-03
Bengaluru (Whitefield)	KA-53
Mysuru (City)	KA-09
Mysuru (Rural)	KA-55
Mangaluru	KA-19
Hubballi	KA-25
Belagavi	KA-22
Shivamogga	KA-14
Davanagere	KA-17
Kalaburagi (Gulbarga)	KA-32
Tumakuru	KA-06
Hassan	KA-13
Vijayapura (Bijapur)	KA-28

Troubleshooting: Common Issues with Karnataka DL Status Check

No records found error when checking status: The first thing to check is whether you are on the correct state portal, confirm Karnataka is selected. If it is, verify your application number digit by digit against your original acknowledgement slip. Application numbers from Sarathi are case-sensitive in some browser environments. If the number is confirmed correct and the error persists beyond 48 hours from submission, allow another working day, very new applications can take up to 48 hours to fully index in the search system.

Status stuck at Under Scrutiny for more than two weeks: Karnataka RTOs, particularly the Bengaluru offices, process high volumes and scrutiny delays most often point to a specific document issue. The most common causes are: Aadhaar name not matching the application name exactly (including spacing and initials), address proof showing a different PIN code from what was entered in the form, or a photograph that did not meet the portal's file specification. Contact your RTO's licensing section by phone or visit in person with your application number. Ask specifically what document is flagging, officers can usually tell you within minutes of checking the file.

DL Generated status showing but no dispatch for more than 5 working days: Smart cards are printed at a central card production facility and then returned to the RTO for Speed Post dispatch. In rare cases, this batch transfer is delayed. If "DL Generated" has been showing for more than a week without moving to "Dispatched," visit your issuing RTO in person and ask the dispatch section to confirm the card is physically present and queued for posting.

Dispatched status showing but card not received after 25 days: Use the consignment number from the Parivahan portal to track on indiapost.gov.in. Karnataka's Speed Post delivery within Bengaluru is typically 3 to 5 working days. For outstation districts, allow 7 to 10 working days. If the tracking shows "Returned to Sender," visit your RTO immediately, cards that are returned are held for 30 days before being destroyed, and you must collect or arrange re-dispatch within that window.

KA DL status shows Issued but the DL is not appearing on DigiLocker: The DigiLocker database pulls from Sarathi but syncs on a schedule rather than instantly. After a DL is dispatched, wait 3 to 7 working days for the sync. If it still does not appear after a week, log in to parivahan.gov.in and verify that your mobile number is registered against your DL record under Update Mobile Number in DL Services. An unregistered or outdated mobile number is the single most common reason DigiLocker cannot fetch the document.

Karnataka RTO helpline not reachable: Bengaluru's KA-01 and KA-02 RTOs are particularly difficult to reach by phone between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when call volumes peak. The Karnataka Transport Department email typically responds within 3 to 5 working days for written grievances. For Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi RTOs, phone availability is significantly better. If you need to visit a Bengaluru RTO in person, Wednesday and Thursday mornings before 11:30 AM are consistently the least crowded days.

mParivahan shows DL not found even though status shows Issued on Parivahan: This usually means the DL data has been issued in the Sarathi system but has not yet propagated fully to the Vahan/mParivahan API layer. Give it 24 to 48 hours after the Parivahan status updates to "Dispatched" and try mParivahan again. If it still does not appear after 3 working days, verify that your DL number is entered correctly in the app including the KA prefix and RTO code.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to receive a driving licence in Karnataka after the test?

Ans: After passing the driving test, Bengaluru RTOs typically dispatch smart cards within 7 to 14 working days, among the faster timelines in the country. Other Karnataka district RTOs average 14 to 21 working days. Automated test track RTOs (Bengaluru, Mysuru) tend to process faster than manual test RTOs. Use the Karnataka DL status online check on Parivahan regularly during this window to stay updated.

2. How do I check DL status in Karnataka 2026 if I applied at a sub-RTO or taluk office?

Ans: All Karnataka sub-RTOs and taluk-level offices feed into the same national Sarathi database. Your Karnataka driving licence status check on Parivahan works identically whether you applied at a major city RTO or a smaller taluk office. Use the same process with your application number.

3. Can I track Karnataka DL application after renewal using the same method?

Ans: Yes. DL renewals, duplicates, address changes, and class additions all create trackable application records in Sarathi. Enter your renewal application number or DL number and date of birth on the Parivahan portal to see renewal processing status for Maharashtra.

4. What should I do if my Karnataka RTO DL status is showing a status I do not understand?

Ans: The status descriptions in the Method 1 section of this guide cover all standard stages. If you see a status like "Referred to Court" or "Pending Police Verification," these indicate that your application has a specific flag that requires in-person resolution at the RTO. Contact your issuing RTO directly with your application number.

5. Is there a difference between checking Karnataka DL status on Parivahan versus the Karnataka Transport Department website?

Ans: The Karnataka Transport Department website links back to the Parivahan/Sarathi system for all DL queries. There is no separate Karnataka-exclusive DL status portal, all checks go through Parivahan, which is why the process described in this guide is the correct and only official route.

6. My Karnataka smart card was delivered but the vehicle class printed on it is wrong. What do I do?

Ans: Visit your issuing RTO with the smart card, the original application, and your test pass certificate. This is a DL correction request. The RTO will initiate a correction in the Sarathi system and issue a replacement card. There is no additional fee for corrections caused by RTO data entry errors.