CHENNAI: The State will introduce digital driving licences and vehicle registration certificates (RCs) from September 15, allowing applicants to download the documents themselves instead of waiting for chip-enabled cards to arrive by post, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced in the assembly on Wednesday under rule 110.

At present, applicants pay Rs 250 for a driving licence or RC, which are issued as a chip-enabled card and sent by post, and delivery takes between a week and a month.

Under the new system, those who pass the driving test will get their digital licence the same day. New vehicle owners will also be able to download their digital RC online.

The documents will carry a QR code that government offices and other authorised agencies can scan to verify their authenticity, helping prevent forged documents. Applicants will also be able to download and print the documents if they are lost or damaged.

The government will subsequently roll out an ‘anywhere registration/licensing’ system, under which applicants can access driving licence, vehicle registration, registration renewal and other transport-related services at any regional transport office in the state.

The move is part of the efforts to make public services simpler, transparent and corruption-proof, Vijay said.