What's happening
Your driving licence name may differ from your Aadhaar or PAN β an old spelling, a maiden name after marriage, or a data-entry error. This surfaces during verification, renewals, or when the licence is used as ID.
Why it happens
- The licence was issued before a name change.
- A spelling or initial differs from your identity documents.
- A clerical error at issue was never corrected.
Is a Gujarat Gazette required?
It depends on the type of change. A minor correction may be handled directly by the RTO with an existing document. A genuine name change usually needs recognised proof such as a Gazette, which you then use for the licence update.
How to fix it
- Decide the correct name you want on the licence.
- Establish it β a direct RTO correction for a minor error, or a Gazette for a name change.
- Apply to the RTO to update the licence with the supporting documents.
Align your other records too
Because a licence is checked against Aadhaar and PAN, make sure those show the correct name so the update isn't held for a mismatch.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Updating the licence to a name that still differs from Aadhaar.
- Assuming a Gazette updates the licence automatically β it doesn't.
- Not disclosing every version of your name.
See our spelling correction and marriage name change pages. The RTO decides the licence update under its own rules.