The Registration Certificate (RC) of any vehicle is the official document which is solid proof for that vehicle is registered with the Indian Government.
It mentions the national boundary limit, in which the vehicle has to be run, engine and chassis number, fuel used, CC and specifies the type of the vehicle.
SOME OF THE POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED ABOUT RC:
- As per the Motor Vehicle Act, Only valid RC owned vehicles can be driven on Indian roads.
- This RC is valid for 15 years from the date of issue.
- After the expiry, it can be renewed for 5 years.
- If you have a temporary RC then it is valid only for only 1 month.
HOW TO GET A VEHICLE RC?
Whether your vehicle is new or already used, you should visit to your local RTO to get the Registration Certificate for your vehicle. Here is the procedure to apply for RC:
- Visit the local RTO office with your vehicle for which you want to get RC.
- Once you reach the RTO office, that vehicle will be inspected by the inspecting authority.
- Fill up the application form 20 to get RC.
- The authority will take the imprint of the chassis number.
- Submit all the necessary documents as required
- Pay the registration fees and collect the receipt.
ANOTHER METHOD TO GET RC:
A Registration Certificate can also be arranged by your Motor Dealer also. To do this motor dealer should have a valid trade certificate with state RTO. Then state RTO has given login credentials to motor dealers. So they can access the official website from their point.
Upon entering the details and submitting the documents, the request for RC can be processed.  However the original document of RC will be issued and dispatched by the state RTO only. But this entire procedure will save your time.
PROCESSING TIME
The Registration Certificate will be delivered between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm after five days from the day of inspection.
DOCUMENTSÂ REQUIRED
- Valid Identity Proof.
- Purchase Invoice of the Vehicle.
- Vehicle Insurance photocopy.
- PAN Card.
- Temporary registration certificate issued by your motor dealer.
- Registration fees receipt.
- Form 20.
- Form 22, Form 22- A i.e. road worthiness certificate issued by the manufacturer.
- Form 21 – sales certificate issued by a vehicle dealer.
PROCESSING FEES
The vehicle registration charge is Rs.600 regardless of the price and size of vehicle. But, the Government of India should increase the registration fees. Because of the drastic decrease in the sales of the cars has forced the government to keep this hike on hold.
WHAT IS ROAD TAX?
You all know that every road in India belongs to Indian Government. Citizens like us who use the roads for driving vehicles need to pay road tax. This road tax varies from state to state.
Collected road tax is used for many purposes by Government:
- To manage the expense of making and maintaining of the roads.
- To increase the security on some state or national highways.
- To plant trees and take other steps to reduce carbon footprints which is emitted by all the vehicles.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ONLINE?
Just as other things are digitized with time, the activity for registration of the vehicle does not fall back. It is done to make the entire procedure convenient and quick. To get the registration certificate online, you will have to visit the integrated portal of Vahan for vehicle registration.
Other than the registration, you can also get the renewal of RC, fitness certificate, and apply for the transfer of ownership.
But there might be an instance when you may lose your RC. If that happens to you, simply apply for a duplicate RC.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GET A DUPLICATE VEHICLE RC?
It will be the worst thing you would want to witness. You may lose your RC anywhere or somebody can steal it from you. In either of the case, you need to apply for a duplicate RC as quick as possible. Just follow these simple steps to fasten the procedure.
- The first act would be to file an FIR in the nearest police station.
- Then fill in Form 26 for the duplicate RC.
- If the vehicle is on loan, then submit the form duly signed by the financier.
- Submit Form 26 along with all the documents.
Some documents you will have to submit for the duplicate RC include:
-
- Copy of FIR.
- Application Form 26.
- Tax payment copy of the last 4 quarters.
- Insurance certificate.
- NOC from the financier.
- Pollution Certificate.
IS IT COMPULSORY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RC WHILE DRIVING?
Of course, it is compulsory to carry either a soft or a hard copy of the vehicle RC while driving. If you forgot or don’t have valid RC then traffic policeman has all the rights to seize your vehicle. The authority can also charge fine of Rs.5000/- for the first offence and Rs. 10,000/- for the subsequent offence as per the MV Act.