As per the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, it is mandatory for vehicles to be registered by the respective registration authority.
The registration of a vehicle is a process, through which, you get your vehicle's number plate and is listed under the government's file and records. The main aim of registration is to connect the owner and their vehicle, using a separate identity number.
Moreover, without proper registration, insurance companies will not cover your motor insurance. You need to register the vehicle within seven days from its delivery date. You can also have a copy of the registration certificate (RC) downloaded from the official website.
Types of Vehicle Registration Certificate
There are two types of RCs:
Temporary Registration: Once you buy a car, the authorized car dealers can assign a temporary registration number. This number is valid for a month and you must permanently register your car by the respective RTO or RTA.
Permanent Registration: This is the number plate of your vehicle that proves your authenticity as the owner.
Why is RC Important?
It is mandatory at any point at least to have a soft or hard copy of the RC. The traffic police will confiscate your car if they find you driving without the registration certification. Also, if this is your first violation, you have to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000. You will be responsible for violations of up to Rs. 10,000 for future offences. You can get an RC copy downloaded to avoid such problems.
You can download the RC book online from DigiLocker website by logging in with your Aadhar number and entering your vehicle registration details.
Process for Procuring Duplicate RC
You may lose your original RC or it can get stolen. Hence, you may have to get a duplicate RC in such situations.
Here's how you can get a duplicate RC:
1. File an FIR at the nearest police station where your RC was lost.
2. Fill Form 26 to apply for a duplicate RC.
3. Get a NOC with the lender's signature if the vehicle is financed.
4. Submit form 26 with the other documents along with a written complaint about the same. Finally, submit all the documents at the RTO office.
You can check the status of your RC online.
Documents Required for Getting Duplicate RC Book
1. NOC from financier
2. Insurance of vehicle
3. Form 26
4. Address Proof
5. Attested copy of Pan Card
6. Inscription of engine and chassis
7. Tax payment details of the last 4 months
8. FIR copy
9. Effective PUC
Fees Required for Getting Duplicate RC
LMV Non-transport: Rs. 600LMV transport: Rs.1,000Two-wheelers: Rs. 300Medium goods vehicle: Rs. 1,000Medium passenger vehicle: Rs. 1,000Heavy passenger vehicle: Rs.1,500Heavy goods vehicle: Rs.1500Imported Vehicle: Rs. 5,000Imported Motor Cycle: Rs. 2,500Other vehicles: Rs. 3,000
How Can You Protect Your RC?
As Registration Certificate is an important document for vehicle owners. Hence, it is important to protect your RC. You can convert RC copy downloaded into a tamper-proof smart card. It is a plastic card with a 64 KB fixed memory chip that includes all the data about you and the vehicle data.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a NOC?
The owner may choose to transfer to some other country outside the registration authority's jurisdiction. The owner would then need to request the documentation below to continue with the respective RTO in which the vehicle was registered initially.
2. What info does a Smart card have?
No. of engines No. of ChassisVehicle's colour and typeSeating Capacity Registration date and number
3. What are the documents for address change in RC?
RC book Insurance NOC Form 33Proof of the owner's signature
