As per the rules laid down in the 1988 Motor Vehicles Act, a person who desires to drive on Indian roads needs to follow certain guidelines. These include getting your vehicle insured with motor insurance such as the one available on Finserv MARKETS to protect it from any damage. However, you should get your vehicle registered at the nearest RTO on priority even before you do that.
The Road Transport Authority of India under the jurisdiction of the Central government has offices across India and is responsible for the regulation of motor vehicles plying on Indian roads. Your vehicle will be inspected and verified, after which it will be granted a unique registration number that differentiates it from others and stays the same even when you sell it to someone else.
Your car or bike is first registered by the dealer from whom it is purchased and later you can go for RTO online registration by yourself. Vehicle registration status is categorised as:
Temporary: This refers to the number allotted to you by the car or bike dealer which is applicable only for a short duration. During this period, you need to apply for a permanent vehicle status at the local RTO.
Permanent: Your vehicle is registered permanently with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways once you submit an application at the nearest RTO. This number cannot be changed and requires re-registration when moving from one state to another
The facility of RTO online registration by the government has made a new car registration process simpler, easier and convenient for everyone. All you need to do is log on to VAHAN, a one-stop portal that offers numerous services including registering new vehicles, permit renewal, fitness certificate issuance among others. Detailed information of your vehicle can also be accessed online or through SMS in case of a mishap or emergency simply by furnishing the registration number.
Here is how you can register your car or bike at the RTO near you and get the vehicle status
There are various forms on the VAHAN website, so in order to avoid confusion and make your new car registration process simple, you need to understand what each of these forms imply. Let us take a look:
Form number |
Applicability |
20 |
New vehicle registration |
21 |
Sale certificate |
23 |
Registration certificate |
24 |
Motor vehicle registration |
29 |
Vehicle ownership transfer notice |
38A |
Report of inspection |
50 |
Lading bill |
51 |
Certificate of insurance |
54 |
Report of accident information |
It refers to the number issued by the shop owner at the time of purchase of the vehicle. The validity of this temporary vehicle registration status is one month during which you need to apply for a permanent number for your car or bike from the nearest RTO
Once you complete your new car registration process, you will be assigned a permanent registration number by the RTO which is also visible on the nameplate of your vehicle. This unique number establishes you as the owner of the vehicle and also makes it easier to identify your car or bike on the road by viewing its chassis and engine.
The RTO conducts an auction to allow bidding for special numbers at the Parivahan website for those who wish to have a customised number plate. You need to choose the number out of the list and bid for the minimum price set for it. The balance amount is to be paid to the RTO if you win or else the money is refunded back to you. A person is allowed to bid for up to 5 numbers per vehicle.
In order to upgrade your vehicle status from temporary to permanent, here are a few documents that you would need:
The applicable fee to get a permanent vehicle registration for various categories is as under:
Vehicle type |
Fees |
Motorcycle or two-wheeler |
Rs. 300 |
Car or Light motor vehicle or four wheeler Three- wheeler Quadricycle |
Rs. 600 (Non-transport) Rs. 1000 (Transport) |
Medium goods motor vehicle Medium passenger motor vehicle |
Rs. 1000
|
Heavy goods motor vehicle Heavy passenger motor vehicle |
Rs. 1500
|
Imported motor vehicle(cars) |
Rs. 5000 |
Imported motorcycles( bikes) |
Rs. 2500 |
Others |
Rs. 3000 |
Smart card issuance |
Rs. 200 |
Duplicate registration certificate |
50% of the registration charges of new vehicles |
Endorsement of hypothecation or lease or hire purchase agreement |
Rs. 500 (motorcycles) Rs. 1500 (cars or four wheelers or light motor vehicles Rs. 3000 (medium or heavy motor vehicles) |
Once you have completed the process of registering your vehicle at the RTO, you can check your application status easily on the VAHAN portal. Simply go to the application status section and fill in your application number. Then, click on ‘view report’ to reveal the current status.
Your vehicle’s registration certificate is an important document that is to be carried at all times when driving it on the road. In case you lose your registration certificate due to any reason, you can get a duplicate one by visiting Parivahan Sewa, an online portal from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Alternatively, you can also visit the RTO where you got your vehicle registered and apply for a duplicate RC.
In order to get a duplicate registration certificate, you will require the following documents:
The owner’s signature identification as well as an affidavit stating that the original RC is lost and not impounded may also be required as per the laws of some states.
Follow the steps given below to receive the duplicate registration certificate for your vehicle
You should try to renew your vehicle registration within 60 days of the prescribed due date of its renewal by submitting Form 25. The detailed process is as under:
You would require the following documents to get your vehicle registration status renewed:
Some states might also require an additional signature identification of the owner of the vehicle apart from the above documents.
Now that you know everything about the procedure of RTO online registration of your vehicle, its renewal and issuing a duplicate RC, you should also have a motor insurance plan for your two-wheeler or four-wheeler in place. A comprehensive motor insurance policy like the one available on Finserv MARKETS offers financial protection to both you and your car or bike against adverse conditions, such as natural disasters(earthquakes, floods) as well as thefts, riots, etc.
Get your vehicle repaired at any of the network garages all over India and that too without the hassle of making a cash payment thanks to an extensive network that takes care of repairs of your vehicle. You can be assured of swift claim processing with a high claim settlement ratio coupled with the added convenience of applying for a claim online.
You can easily apply for the Motor Insurance available on Finserv MARKETS online with a few documents within minutes. Choose from a variety of add-on covers to enhance vehicle protection along with added benefits such as no claim bonus to customise your plan as per your requirements. Renew your policy online easily and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your car or bike is protected against unforeseen future events.
No, you can either get it temporarily registered by the dealer or directly approach your local RTO to begin your new car registration process.
You will have to pay an additional fee for the delay apart from the RC renewal fee. This is charged at Rs. 300 per delayed month for a motorcycle owner and Rs.500 for those who own other non-transport vehicles.
Carrying an expired RC book while driving a vehicle on Indian roads, is a punishable offence as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. You can not only be fined by the traffic police, but your car or bike can also be impounded by transport authorities if you fail to pay the penalty. So, it is important that you apply for vehicle registration status renewal on priority.
You have to apply for RC renewal after 15 years. Post this period, it has to be renewed after every 5 years.
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