Vehicle Fitness Certificate for Cars: Fees & Renewal Process from RTO

• Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, every motor vehicle in India must possess a valid Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
• Initial FC is valid for 15 years and must be renewed after 15 years. Whereas commercial vehicle tests are held every 2 years after the first 8 years of certificate.
• You can apply for FC for car online via Parivahan portal or you can visit the nearest RTO for offline process.
• A vehicle fitness certificate ensures public safety and avoids penalties.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, every motor vehicle must have a valid vehicle fitness certificate. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues the same for all commercial as well as private vehicles. In this blog, we have covered how to apply for FC for car, car FC renewal price, application process, and documents required.

A Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) is an official document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), certifying that a vehicle is fit for road use. This certificate confirms that the vehicle complies with the safety and emission standards set by the Government of India.It ensures that the vehicle is safe to operate on public roads and is not likely to cause harm to the driver, passengers, or other road users. To obtain a fitness certificate, a vehicle must undergo a thorough inspection, which typically includes checks on the engine, brakes, lights, tires, emission levels, and other critical components. The validity of a fitness certificate depends on the type and age of the vehicle. For example, commercial vehicles often require a fitness test every 2 years, whereas private vehicles need a fitness certificate after every 5 years.Having a FC for car is a legal requirement in India. Driving a vehicle without it can result in fines or penalties for the vehicle.

A FC for carcertifies your car is fit for roads. It gives your car an official permit that the car does not have any technical defects, mechanical issues, emission issues, or faulty engine and is safe to be driven on roads. Besides this, here is a list of reasons as to why every citizen needs a FC for car.

• A fitness certificate is essential for all motor vehicles in India.
• A penalty will be charged if you do not possess a valid FC for car priceat all times.
• A FC for carensures pollution control. It checks vehicles for harmful emissions that could significantly pollute the environment.
• A car FCchecks for unfit cars that could further lead to accidents. It is the sole responsibility of the owner to get its car scanned for potential faults.
• Additionally, you are not eligible to apply for car insurance if you do not have a valid FC, especially for an 8-seater car.

Also read: What is Motor Insurance? - Car Coverage, Claims & More

Applying for a vehicle fitness certificate is easy and straightforward. You can apply online as well as offline. Here are the modes of application with detailed steps to follow.

Steps to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Offline

To apply for a car fitness certificate, follow these steps:

• Step 1 : Visit the nearest RTO office.
• Step 2 : Collect the Form 20 for FC and fill it carefully.
• Step 3 : Now submit this application along with a sales certificate in Form 21.
• Step 4 : Pay the fees for the application.

The concerned authority will then inspect your car. Once approved, your private car will be issued a fitness certificate for 15 years.

Steps to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online

Follow these steps to apply online for a FC for car:

• Step 1 . Open the official Parivahan portal online .
• Step 2. Search for "Vehicle Related Services" option under the Online Services section.
• Step 3 . From the drop-down menu, choose your state of residence.
• Step 4 . Enter your vehicle registration number on the following page and click "Proceed."
• Step 5 . Select the option to "Apply for Fitness Certificate."
• Step 6 . Enter your vehicle's chassis number and the registered mobile number, then click "Generate OTP."
• Step 7 . Input the OTP to access your vehicle details. After verifying the information, provide the necessary vehicle insurance details and proceed to payment.
• Step 8 . Use the available digital payment methods to pay the applicable fees.
• Step 9 . An application number will be generated. Save the online receipt for your records.
• Step 10 . Visit the RTO with your vehicle and the required documents to complete the inspection process.

If the vehicle doesn't pass the inspection due to defects or technical issues, the RTO will suggest repairs. The fitness certificate will only be issued once the vehicle passes the inspection.

Here are the following documents that you need for your application:

• Form 20, 21
• Form 22- road worthiness certificate
• Car insurance policy
• Road tax payment receipt
• Original RC (registration certificate)
• Temporary RC
• Identity and address proof
• Pencil impression of the chassis number
• Passport size photographs

If you do not have a valid RC (registration certificate), then you should first apply for an RC.

The fees for the FC for car price are minimal and have to be submitted along with your application. Find the table mentioned below for the car FC renewal cost and FC charges for car, bikes, and commercial vehicles:

Fitness certificate for car after 15 years costranges from ₹600 for manual and ₹1,000 for automated.

Here are the steps you can follow to download your FC for car:

• Step 1 : Access the official Parivahan website .
• Step 2: Navigate to the “Online Services” section and choose “Vehicle Related Services” from the menu.
• Step 3 : Choose your state, enter your vehicle registration number, and click “Proceed.”
• Step 4 : Click on “Download Document” and select “Print Fitness Certificate.”
• Step 5 : Enter both the vehicle registration number and the application number.
• Step 6 : Click “Verify Details” and follow the provided instructions to print or download your Vehicle Fitness Certificate.

Here are the steps that you can follow to check the status of your car fitness certificate:

• Step 1 : Open the VAHAN vehicle search portal.
• Step 2 : Click on Log in your existing account or create a new one.
• Step 3 : Fill in your vehicle registration number and captcha code.
• Step 4 : Click on "Vahan Search."
• Step 5 : On this page, you can view your vehicle registration details.

To renew your vehicle fitness certificate, have a look at these steps given below:

• Open the official Parivahan Sewa portal.
• Select "Other Services" from the option "Vehicle-related services."
• Select Fitness option.
• Fill in your registration number and proceed.
• Click on "Apply for Fitness Renewal."
• Fill in the chassis number and mobile number.
• Fill in the One-time password and click on "Verify."
• Submit the prescribed fees and download your payment receipt.

Once you complete all the steps, you have to visit the RTO office on the date given to you for inspection. After the fitness test, your vehicle will be renewed for the next 5 years. Note: You have to renew your vehicle fitness certificate every 5 years for private vehicles after the expiry of first 15 years of fitness certification. For commercial vehicles, the period is after every 2 years after the expiry of the first 8 years of fitness certification.

Obtaining a vehicle fitness certificate is a crucial step in ensuring your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. This certificate not only helps in maintaining road safety but also boosts overall efficiency and longevity of your vehicle. By following the streamlined process provided by platform Parivahan, vehicle owners can easily access, print, and manage their fitness certificates online.By checking timely vehicle fitness certification, you contribute to responsible vehicle ownership and a commitment to road safety.