Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) - A Complete Guide

• The RC book is a legal document containing relevant information pertaining to your vehicle.
• You must apply for your vehicle RCwithin 7 days of the vehicle purchase.
• You can apply for RCeither directly through an RTO office or through your car dealer.

Just like a valid driving licence allows you to drive a vehicle, a Registration Certificate (RC) allows the vehicle to run on Indian roads. The RC is an important document that you should always carry in your vehicle. Let's find out more about the RC and its significance.

A driving licence registration certificateor RCis an official document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). It certifies that your vehicle has been registered with the Indian government under The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The RC gives you legal authorisation to drive your vehicle on the road freely.Also Read - Know about the types of driving licences in India

Some of the basic features of a vehicle registration certificateare as follows:

Vehicle Information

It contains complete information about the vehicle, such as its engine and chassis number. It also mentions the territorial boundary within which the vehicle can be used, along with your name and address.

Validity

It is valid only for 15 years from the date of its issuance and can be renewed for another 5 years after expiry.

Temporary RC

You can use a temporary RC, but it is only valid for a month. After that, your RC book will be considered invalid.

Uniqueness

Every vehicle has its own RC , highlighting the importance of the document further.

Smart Card

Nowadays, RC is issued in the form of a smart card that can be carried easily.

You can apply for your RCeither directly through the RTO office or ask your car dealer to do it on your behalf. The process is as follows -

Vehicle Registration Certificate Through RTO

You must follow the below-mentioned steps to apply forRC through the RTO:

• Step 1 : Visit any nearby RTO office along with your vehicle (new or used).
• Step 2 : Then, your vehicle will be thoroughly inspected by a respective inspecting authority, who will take an imprint of the vehicles chassis number.
• Step 3 : Fill out the RCapplication form (form 20) and submit the form along with all the supporting documents.
• Step 4 : Pay the applicable registration fees and collect the receipt.
• Step 5 : Your RCwill be issued within a few days of completion of the application process.

Also Read - Find out what is not covered in your motor insurance policy

Vehicle Registration Certificate Through the Car Dealer

To make the RC application process hassle-free and convenient, the Indian government has authorised certain car dealers to apply for a vehicle registration certificateon your behalf. These car dealers are given login credentials that they can use to access the registration website.All they need to do is-

• Login to the website using their credentials.
• Enter the details and submit all the valid documents.
• Raise a request forRC.

However, you must keep in mind that:

• The dealer must have a valid trade certificate under the state RTO.
• Your car will be delivered to you only after the registration process is over.
• Your original RC bookwill be issued and dispatched to you directly by the RTO.

You need to submit the following documents to apply for your driving licence registration certificate:

• Identity proof like Aadhaar card, voter's ID card, driving licence, etc.
• Residential proof like an Aadhaar card, rent agreement, telephone bill, etc.
• Vehicle purchase invoice
• Vehicle insurance copy
• PAN card copy
• Temporary registration issued by the car dealer
• Receipt of the registration fee
• Form 20
• Form 22 and Form 22-A - vehicle roadworthiness certificate issued by the car manufacturer
• Form 21 - sales certificate issued by the car dealer
• Form 34 (optional), in case the vehicle was purchased under the hire purchase scheme.

You can apply for RC renewal both through online and offline modes. The process under each of the modes is explained below -

Offline RC Renewal

Step 1: Collect Form 25 (the application form for vehicle RC renewal) and submit it to the respective registering authority of your area.Step 2: Visit the nearest RTO and submit your old RC along with the application form and the supporting documents.Step 3: Schedule an appointment with the RTO for vehicle inspection.Step 4: Visit the RTO with your vehicle on the scheduled date for thorough inspection of your vehicle.Step 5: Pay the applicable renewal fee.

Online RC Renewal

Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan website Step 2: Under the tab ‘Online Services, click on ‘Vehicle Related ServicesStep 3: From the dropdown list, select your state of residence.Step 4: Enter your vehicle registration number and select the nearest RTO.Step 5: Click on the option ‘Renewal of Registration from the various RC-related service options.Step 6: Punch in your registration and chassis number and click on ‘Detail Verification.Step 7: Pay the applicable fee.However, before renewing your RC, here are a few things to remember -

• Apply for the renewal not more than 60 days before the expiration date of the current RC
• Clear all your tax dues on your vehicle, if any
• Pay the applicable renewal fee as stated in Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.

You need to submit these documents to apply for renewal of your RC. However, you must keep in mind that this is a tentative list and you might be asked to submit fewer or more documents by the RTO, depending upon your state of residence.

• Application Form (Form 25)
• PUC (Pollution under control) certificate
• RC Book*
• Fitness certificate*
• Registration certificate*
• Proof of payment slips- confirming that all the applicable road tax dues till date are cleared*
• Insurance certificate*
• Pan card copy/Form 60/Form 61, whichever is applicable*
• Chassis and Engine Pencil Print*, and
• Signature identification proof of the car owner*

Note - The documents marked in asterisk (*) are optional and may be asked by some States.

It is illegal to drive any car on Indian roads without a proper and valid RC. As a car owner, you must ensure that your RC is valid, available with you at all times and is not torn or damaged. However, sometimes it so happens that your registration certificate is either lost, mutilated, torn or used up. In this case, you can apply for a duplicate RC using the following steps:

• Lodge an FIR with the nearest police station.
• Visit any nearby RTO along with all the supporting documents in the prescribed format.
• Collect Form 26 from the RTO and then fill the form with all your vehicle-related details such as the vehicle number, chassis number and the vehicle engine number.
• Pay the applicable fee
• Submit the form along with all the documents duly attached to it.
• You will be issued a reference number to help you track your application status online.
• You can collect your duplicate RC from the RTO post-completion of the above-mentioned steps.

You need to submit these documents to apply for a duplicate RC. However, you must keep in mind that this is a tentative list and you might be asked to submit fewer or more documents by the RTO, depending upon your state of residence.

• Form 26(application form)
• Police certificate
• PUC (Pollution under control) certificate
• Valid certificate of car insurance*
• Residential proof*
• Challan clearance certificate issued by both the state traffic police and the Enforcement wing transport department in commercial vehicles*
• Tax clearance certificate from the accounts department in commercial vehicles*
• Attested copies of PAN/Form 60/Form 61, whichever is applicable*
• Chassis and Engine Pencil Print*
• Signature identification proof of the car owner*, and
• Affidavit stating that the RC is lost and not impounded by the RTO*

Note - The documents marked in asterisk (*) are optional and may be asked by some States.
Moreover, before applying for a duplicate RC, do the following -

• Lodge a complaint with the local police and notify the concerned RTO about the loss or damage of the RC in writing.
• Pay the applicable renewal fee as stated in Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.

You can change the details mentioned on your current vehicle RD through both the offline as well as online modes. The steps are as follows -

Online Mode

• Visit the official Parivahan website
• Under the tab ‘Online Services, click on ‘Permit Related Services.
• Enter your vehicle registration number and click on the ‘Proceed tab.
• Select the ‘Basic Services option and then enter the last 5 digits of your chassis number
• Next, click on ‘Validate Regn_no/Chassis no
• Click on ‘Generate OTP. Enter the correct OTP in the required field and then click on the ‘Submit button.
• From the dropdown list, select the option ‘Change of Address and enter ‘Service details.
• Update ‘Insurance Details and go through the Fee panel.
• Pay the applicable fee and upload the relevant documents (if configurable)
• Schedule an appointment and collect the generated receipt
• After the completion of all the steps, your application will be moved to RTO for further processing.

Offline Process

• Visit any nearby RTO office and submit the application form (Form 33) duly filled and signed, along with the relevant documents
• Pay the applicable renewal fee in cash
• The RTO officials will then verify your application and process your change request.

You need to submit the following documents to apply for changes in RC:

• Form 33(application form)
• Registration certificate
• PUC (Pollution under control) certificate
• Valid certificate of car insurance
• New Residential proof
• NOC from the financier (applicable only in case of hypothecation)*
• Smart card fee*
• Attested copies of PAN/Form 60/Form 61, whichever is applicable*
• Chassis and Engine Pencil Print*, and
• Signature identification proof of the car owner*

Note - The documents marked in asterisk (*) are optional and may be asked by some States.

You can surrender vehicle RC online or offline. The steps under both the modes are as follows -

Online Process for RC Surrender

• Visit the official parivahan website given at www.parivahan.gov.in
• Under the tab ‘Online Services, click on ‘Permit Related Services.
• Enter your vehicle registration number and click on the ‘Proceed tab.
• Click on “Online Services” and select “RC Surrender”
• Click on ‘Generate OTP. Enter the correct OTP in the required field and then click on the ‘Submit button.
• From the dropdown list, select the option ‘Change of Address and enter ‘Service details.
• Update ‘Insurance Details and go through the Fee panel.
• Pay the applicable fee and upload the relevant documents (if configurable)
• Schedule an appointment and collect the generated receipt
• After the completion of all the steps, your application will be moved to RTO for further processing.

Offline Process for RC Surrender

• You can surrender your RC offline by following these steps:
• Collect the necessary hypothecation cancellation documents from the financier.
• Visit any nearby RTO office and submit the application form duly filled and signed, along with the relevant documents and the hypothecation cancellation document
• Pay the applicable renewal fee in cash.
• The RTO officials will then verify your application and process your request.

The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 lays down certain rules for every vehicle being purchased and used on Indian roads, out of which having a valid RC is one. AnRC booknot only authorises you to drive your vehicle freely, but it also compiles all your important vehicle information. As such, the RC book comes in very handy in case of unforeseen on-road incidents.Applying for an RCis simple. Issued for 15 years at a minimal cost of ₹600, this book is an important document when selling or insuring your vehicle . So, get your vehicle registered and get its RC at the earliest.