Key highlights
- A traffic stop is basically a document check + compliance check. The core legal hook is the Motor Vehicles Act’s duty to produce licence / documents when demanded. India Code+1
- The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has formally instructed states that Driving Licence (DL), Registration Certificate (RC) and other documents shown through DigiLocker / mParivahan are legally recognised at par with originals (IT Act basis). Ministry of Road Transport & Highways+1
- The Central Motor Vehicles Rules also describe what you may be asked to produce: RC, insurance, fitness, and for transport vehicles, permits. India Code+1
A real-world scenario (5 minutes, no drama)
You’re driving back at night. A traffic police checkpoint stops you.
Officer: “DL and RC dikhao.”
You open DigiLocker and show your DL + RC. Officer replies:
“Original lao. App wala nahi chalega.”
This is where most people either get bullied or get loud. The smarter move is: stay calm, be precise, and anchor to the official circular.
You say:
“Sir, MoRTH circular says DL/RC shown via DigiLocker or mParivahan are legally recognised at par with originals. Please check.” Ministry of Road Transport & Highways+1
If the officer still insists, you don’t argue. You escalate politely:
“Sir, can you please call the supervisor / traffic in-charge? I’ll show the circular.”
What documents can traffic police ask for (plain list)
Think in two buckets.
1) For a private car / two-wheeler
Most commonly checked:
- Driving Licence (DL)
- Registration Certificate (RC)
- Valid insurance
- PUC (where applicable / asked locally)
The law framework ties this to the duty to produce licence and related documents when demanded. India Code+1
2) For commercial / transport vehicles
In addition to the above, you can be asked for:
- Fitness certificate
- Permit (route/vehicle permit)
- Other transport compliance documents depending on category
These appear explicitly in the compliance language around production of insurance/fitness/permit for transport vehicles. India Code+1
DigiLocker / mParivahan: what’s valid vs what’s “risky”
What’s officially supported
MoRTH’s advisory to states is clear: electronic DL/RC (and other electronic documents pulled through these platforms) should be treated as legally recognised at par with originals (IT Act basis). Ministry of Road Transport & Highways+1
What causes roadside trouble
- Low network / slow loading (your document exists, but you can’t open it fast)
- Dead phone / low battery
- Not logged into the app
- You never added the document to DigiLocker/mParivahan beforehand
Street-smart rule: set up DigiLocker/mParivahan before you drive, not at the checkpoint.
“What if I don’t have the document right now?”
Sometimes you forgot your wallet, your phone died, or you’re driving someone else’s car.
The law’s structure recognises that documents may not be in possession at the moment of demand—there is language for producing them after, including submitting copies within a specified period in certain cases. India Code
Practical takeaway:
- Don’t fight the stop.
- Get the challan details properly.
- Then produce the documents through the right channel.
If the officer still forces a challan even after DigiLocker
Step 1: Don’t escalate emotionally
Ask for clarity:
- “Challan kis reason ka hai?”
- “Please mention ‘DL/RC shown on DigiLocker’ in remarks.”
Step 2: Collect proof quietly
- Screenshot your DigiLocker DL/RC pages (and the date/time on phone if possible)
- Photo of challan slip / challan number
- Location of stop
Step 3: Use the official grievance route
If it’s an eChallan / digital challan, MoRTH’s NIC-run portal provides a Grievance System where you can check status and raise issues using your e-ticket number. eChallan+1
(Important: use only the official portal—NIC warns about impersonator sites/apps.) eChallan
Small questions people actually search
“Can police demand ‘original’ if DigiLocker is shown?”
MoRTH’s official advisory explicitly asks states/traffic enforcement to accept DigiLocker/mParivahan documents as legally recognised at par with originals. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways+1
“Which documents are compulsory to show?”
DL + RC are classic. Insurance/fitness/permit requirements are part of the broader production obligations (especially for transport vehicles). India Code+1
“What if my phone battery dies?”
This is why the best practice is redundancy:
- keep your phone charged
- and keep at least one backup (a print/photocopy) if you travel long-distance or late-night frequently
