Aadhaar OTP for 60 MVD Services: What Kerala Applicants Need to Know From Sept 21

Kerala’s Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) will introduce Aadhaar-based OTP verification for 60 more services from September 21, 2026, shifting most routine vehicle and driving-licence procedures to a faceless online system. The move is designed to reduce middlemen’s ability to delay applications and charge applicants for faster processing.

Under the new arrangement, applicants will authenticate themselves through an OTP sent to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar. This creates a direct identity check and reduces the scope for unauthorised intermediaries to control applications. More importantly, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, making it harder to deliberately hold up files and later demand money to expedite them

The MVD says applicants will generally no longer need to visit Regional Transport offices or submit printouts of online applications. Those needing technical help can use Akshaya centres, Common Service Centres or RT offices.

However, some processes will still require physical participation. These include vehicle inspections, identification of legal heirs and personal hearings. If Aadhaar OTP authentication fails, an applicant will have to appear in person once for verification. Driving, learner’s, conductor and other licence tests, as applicable, will also retain physical testing, but appointments will be digitally scheduled.

The system will rely on three platforms. Vahan will handle vehicle-related services and fitness-test slots, while Sarathi will manage driving-licence-related services and slots for relevant licence tests. The Nammude Keralam portal will allow applicants to book slots for vehicle inspections, legal-heir verification and personal hearings. Its We Meet facility will also enable personal hearings through video calls where permitted.

The department has sought support from the National Informatics Centre and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to bring the remaining services online, with software testing underway. Automated vehicle inspection centres are also planned across all districts; three are already functioning in Kollam and Alappuzha.

Overall, this major reform aims to make MVD services more transparent, traceable and applicant-driven, while reserving office visits for procedures that genuinely require physical inspection or verification.