Parivahan/Sarathi Website Not Working — How to Fix DL & RC Issues

The Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in), Sarathi (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in), and Vahan (vahan.parivahan.gov.in) are India's official platforms for driving licence (DL), learner's licence (LL), and vehicle registration (RC) services. These portals handle enormous traffic from across India and frequently experience slowdowns, server errors, and service outages — especially during peak hours. This guide covers every common issue and how to fix it.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

1. "Server Down" or Website Not Loading

Symptoms:

• Blank page or connection timeout
• "503 Service Unavailable" or "504 Gateway Timeout"
• "This site can't be reached" error
• Extremely slow page loading

Fixes:

• Try during off-peak hours. The portals are busiest between 10 AM–6 PM on weekdays. Best times to access: early morning (6–8 AM) or late night (after 10 PM).
• Clear your browser cache and cookies — stale session data causes loading failures on government portals.
• Use Chrome or Edge (latest version). Firefox and Safari sometimes have compatibility issues with these portals.
• Disable VPN and ad blockers — government portals often block VPN traffic and ad blockers can break page scripts.
• Try a different network — switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some ISPs have routing issues to NIC servers.
• Check if the portal is down for everyone — visit downdetector.in and search for "Parivahan" to see if others are reporting issues. If the server is genuinely down, you must wait.

2. "Service Not Available" or "Service Temporarily Unavailable"

Symptoms:

• Error message after selecting a service (DL application, LL slot, RC search)
• Page loads but individual services show "not available"

Fixes:

• This usually means the specific state RTO server is down or under maintenance. Different states run on different backend servers.
• Try after 1–2 hours. State servers are often restarted during the day.
• Select the correct state — ensure you've chosen the right state on Sarathi before proceeding. Wrong state selection is a common mistake.
• If the issue persists for more than 24 hours, the state transport department may be doing a planned upgrade. Check the portal homepage for any maintenance notices.

3. DL/LL Slot Booking Not Working

Symptoms:

• No slots visible for any date
• "No slots available" even weeks ahead
• Slot page doesn't load or freezes
• Error after selecting a slot and clicking submit

Fixes:

• Slots are genuinely limited in many RTOs. High-demand RTOs (metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai) fill up within minutes of release.
• Check slot availability early morning — most RTOs release new slots between 6 AM and 10 AM. Try immediately when slots open.
• Try a nearby RTO — if your primary RTO is fully booked, check neighbouring RTOs in your state. You can apply at any RTO in your state of residence.
• Refresh the page instead of going back — using the browser back button on Sarathi often causes session errors. Always start fresh from the homepage.
• Complete application first — you need a completed application with a valid Application Number before booking a slot. Incomplete applications won't show the slot booking option.
• Check if your state uses a separate system — some states (e.g., Kerala, Karnataka) have their own transport portals with different slot booking systems.

4. RC Search or Status Check Failing

Symptoms:

• "No record found" when searching valid RC number
• RC status shows "error" or loads indefinitely
• VAHAN portal not responding to RC queries

Fixes:

• Enter RC number in correct format — use the format without spaces or hyphens (e.g., MH01AB1234 not MH-01-AB-1234 or MH 01 AB 1234). Some state portals accept different formats, so try both.
• Use the Vahan portal directly — go to vahan.parivahan.gov.in instead of the main Parivahan site for RC-specific searches.
• Recently registered vehicles may take 2–7 days to appear in the online system. If your vehicle was just registered, wait a few days.
• Old vehicles (pre-2010 registration) — some states have not digitised older records fully. You may need to visit the RTO in person.
• Try the mParivahan app — it often has better uptime for RC search than the website (see section below).

5. Payment Gateway Errors

Symptoms:

• "Payment failed" after completing transaction
• Money deducted but application shows "payment pending"
• Payment page not loading or timing out
• Redirected to error page after payment

Fixes:

• Do NOT make a second payment immediately. Wait at least 2 hours for the status to update. Most failed transactions are auto-reversed within 24–48 hours.
• Check your bank statement or UPI app — if money was deducted, note the transaction ID/UTR number.
• Use the "Verify Payment" option — on Sarathi, go to your application and look for "Payment Verification" or "Fee Payment Status" to check and retry.
• Try a different payment method — if UPI failed, try net banking or debit card, and vice versa. SBI and HDFC net banking tend to be more reliable with government portals.
• Avoid multiple browser tabs — having multiple Sarathi/Parivahan tabs open causes session conflicts that break the payment flow.
• If money was deducted but not reflected, file a grievance on the Parivahan portal with your transaction details. Refunds typically take 7–15 working days.

6. Browser and Device Compatibility Issues

Symptoms:

• Buttons not clickable
• Drop-down menus not working
• CAPTCHA not loading
• Page layout broken on mobile

Fixes:

• Use a desktop/laptop — Parivahan and Sarathi portals are primarily designed for desktop browsers. Mobile browsers often have layout and functionality issues.
• Use Google Chrome (latest version) for best compatibility. Edge also works well.
• Enable JavaScript and cookies — these portals require both. Check your browser settings.
• Disable pop-up blockers — some portal features open in pop-up windows (especially payment pages). Allow pop-ups for parivahan.gov.in.
• CAPTCHA not loading? — disable any ad blocker, try incognito mode, or switch browsers. If CAPTCHA images are still broken, the server is likely overloaded — try later.
• Clear saved form data — autofill extensions can interfere with government portal forms.

7. State-Specific Portal Issues

Some states maintain their own transport portals alongside the national Parivahan/Sarathi system. If the national portal isn't working for your state:

Note: Even if your state has a separate portal, most DL/LL services now route through Sarathi nationally. The state portals are more useful for RC-related services and fee payments.

Best Times to Access Parivahan/Sarathi

Weekday vs Weekend: Weekdays (especially Monday and Tuesday) are the busiest. Saturday evenings and Sundays tend to have lower traffic.

Alternative: mParivahan App

If the Parivahan website is consistently not working, use the mParivahan mobile app — the official app by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

What you can do on mParivahan:

• View your DL and RC details (stored as DigiLocker-linked virtual documents)
• Check RC status and vehicle information
• View challan/fine history
• Share DL/RC digitally with traffic police
• Report issues and raise complaints

Download links:

• Android: Search "mParivahan" on Google Play Store
• iOS: Search "mParivahan" on Apple App Store

Note: mParivahan does not support slot booking, new DL applications, or RC transfers — for these, you must use the Sarathi/Parivahan website.

For related services, see our Driving Licence guide or Vehicle RC guide if available.

Important Tips

1. Always bookmark your Application Number — you'll need it to resume any DL/LL process. Without it, you may lose your application progress.
2. Take screenshots at every step — especially after payment, slot confirmation, and application submission. These serve as proof if anything goes wrong.
3. Avoid last-day rushes — if your DL renewal is due, start the process at least 30 days before expiry. Portal issues are harder to resolve under time pressure.
4. Use incognito/private browsing — this prevents old session data from interfering with new transactions.
5. Keep your registered mobile number updated — OTPs for Sarathi login and payment verification go to your registered number. Update it at the RTO if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parivahan website down right now?

Parivahan and Sarathi experience frequent outages, especially during peak hours (10 AM–6 PM). Try accessing early morning (before 8 AM) or late night (after 10 PM). Check downdetector.in for real-time status reports.

Why is Sarathi showing "no slots available" for driving licence?

Slots at popular RTOs fill up very quickly. New slots are typically released early morning (6–10 AM). Try checking daily at 6 AM or choose a nearby less-busy RTO. You can apply at any RTO within your state.

My payment was deducted but Parivahan shows "payment pending" — what to do?

Wait 2–24 hours for auto-reconciliation. Do not pay again. Use the "Verify Payment" or "Fee Payment Status" option in your application. If unresolved after 48 hours, file a grievance on the portal with your bank transaction proof.

Can I use Parivahan on mobile phone?

The websites work on mobile browsers but have frequent layout issues. For checking DL/RC details, use the mParivahan app instead. For slot booking and new applications, use a desktop/laptop with Chrome browser.

Which browser works best for Sarathi and Parivahan?

Google Chrome (latest version) works best. Microsoft Edge is also compatible. Avoid using older versions of Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer. Always enable JavaScript, cookies, and allow pop-ups for parivahan.gov.in.

Why does Parivahan show "No Record Found" for my RC number?

Enter the RC number without spaces or hyphens (e.g., MH01AB1234). If the vehicle was recently registered, records may take 2–7 days to appear online. Very old registrations (pre-2010) may not be digitised in some states.

How do I contact Parivahan support for portal issues?

Use the grievance/feedback section on parivahan.gov.in. You can also call the transport helpline at 1800-120-235-345 (toll-free). For state-specific issues, contact your local RTO directly.

This guide is published by CitizenNest for informational purposes. CitizenNest is not affiliated with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or any government body. Always verify information on the official portals. Last verified: March 2026.