How to Get a Duplicate Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)?

All vehicle owners in India know the term RC book/card. An RC Card or Registration Certificate serves as proof that your vehicle is officially registered with the RTO (Road Transport Office) authorities. You must always keep this document in your vehicle while driving.

• The RC card is an important document that helps identify your vehicle.
• If you lose your RC card, you can apply for a duplicate card with the RTO.
• You have to file a police FIR for a lost RC card.
• The process might vary across states and you might have to submit the road tax receipts to get a duplicate RC card.

Smart cards are the modern and secure version of the RC book. They include the registration date, registration number, chassis number, engine number, vehicle type, colour, model, seating capacity, and other vehicle-specific information. This information is also important for vehicle insurance . It is extremely difficult for thieves or robbers to cheat the police with a fake card unless the officer cannot verify the details.RC card or Smart Card is a small, durable card with embedded technology, making it more convenient and less prone to damage than traditional paper certificates. But what to do if the RC book is lost somehow? You can easily apply for a duplicate copy, provided you know the procedure and have all the necessary documents intact.

Listed below are the steps to be followed in the exact order to obtain a duplicate copy when the RC Book is missing:

• To start, file a police report at the nearest police station detailing the loss of your RC card and including the vehicle's registration number, model, engine number, name and address, and chassis number.
• Then, the police will provide a challan stating "RC card lost."
• Next, download and complete Form 26 from the official website of RTO.
• If you have purchased the vehicle on loan/EMI, obtain the financier’s signature on Form 26, and submit the same in duplicate.
• Additionally, if the vehicle was purchased with a loan, secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank, affirming that they approve issuing a duplicate RC card.
• Ensure that the registering authority endorses a duplicate copy of the form.
• Provide copies of your motor insurance, driving license, and emission test documents.
• Finally, submit all these documents to the registering authority and pay the fee for the duplicate smart card.

Also Read - Know the inclusions and exclusions of a third-party motor insurance policy To follow these steps appropriately, here are some tips that can help:

• Start by purchasing a blank file to organise your documents. Label the file with your name, mobile number, and the phrase "Duplicate RC Card Request."
• Prepare an affidavit on a ₹20 stamp paper detailing the vehicle information and the loss of the RC card.
• Place all necessary documents in the file, including a completed Form 26, photocopies of your emission test, driving license, insurance papers, three passport-sized photos, identity proof, and local address proof. Give this file to the RTO Superintendent for document verification and signature.
• Next, visit the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) to verify your ID and have the form attested.
• Pay the required fees and collect the receipt.
• Return the receipt to the Superintendent for further verification and signature on the cash receipt.
• Finally, submit the file at the collection counter and receive an acknowledgement.
• This acknowledgement will provide the expected date for receiving your RC card.
• The duplicate RC Card will be sent to the postal address you provided on the form.

Some additional points to consider about the RC card are as follows:

• You may be required to present your road tax receipt in some states.
• The process for applying for a lostRC Card is nearly the same for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers. It only differs in terms of vehicle type and details. The fee may be different based on vehicle type.
• The procedure for obtaining a duplicate RC card can differ slightly depending on the state.

Also Read - 5 Things to know about commercial vehicle insurance in India

Know what to do if the RC book is lost. Get a duplicate RC card and keep your vehicle's documents up to date. Understand the process of applying for a duplicate RC Card. The RC card is essential for selling your vehicle or registering a vehicle insurance claim, so keep it handy always.