All You Need to Know About Vehicle RC in India

A private or non-commercial vehicle's RC is valid for 15 years starting on the date of registration. After that, the registration certificate must be renewed every five years. All vehicles must be registered in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act, regardless of the brand, make, or model.

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Features of the RC Book

1. The vehicle RC (Registration Certificate) of a vehicle is an official proof of registration of any motorized vehicle.
2. The Motor Vehicles Act makes it mandatory for all motor vehicles in India to be registered with the registering authorities based on the location where the vehicle is supposed to be used.
3. A vehicle cannot be used in any public place in the country without a valid registration certificate. The RC of a private/non-commercial vehicle is valid for a period of 15 years from the date of registration.
4. Post which, the registration certificate needs to be renewed in an interval of five years. Irrespective of the brand, make, or model of the vehicle, all vehicles must be registered under the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Process to Apply for the RC Book/RC Smart Card

In India, auto dealers are permitted to complete the registration of a new vehicle on the owner's behalf. Only once the registration procedure is finished is the vehicle delivered to the buyer after the dealer has registered it. The purchaser of the vehicle also has the choice to register their vehicle by going to the neighbourhood RTO.

The registering authority issues the vehicle registration certificate (RC) and assigns a vehicle registration number after verifying all the documentation and inspecting the vehicle. Below mentioned are the documents required to be submitted for vehicle registration in India.

1. Application in CMV Form 20
2. Form 22 provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle
3. Form 21 provided by the dealer of the vehicle
4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate
5. Address proof of the vehicle owner
   1. Aadhaar Card
   2. Ration Card
   3. LIC Policy
   4. Affidavit by the applicant
   5. Self-attested copy of address proof
6. Form 34 attested by the vehicle owner and the financier (In case of hypothecation)
7. Vehicle registration fee
8. One time road tax receipt
9. Vehicle receipt from the dealer
10. Passport sized photographs of the vehicle owner

For registration of commercial vehicles, the registration number is assigned and a fee receipt is issued to the applicant after all the documents are submitted. The fee receipt should be kept safely by the applicant until the RC is issued to them.

Fees for RC

The RC fees for various types of vehicles are mentioned in the table below:

Details Mentioned in RC Book/RC Smart Card

Following are the details that are declared in an RC Card:

1. Vehicle registration number
2. Name of the registered vehicle owner
3. Address of the vehicle owner
4. Body type of the vehicle
5. Cubic capacity (CC)
6. Date of vehicle registration
7. Details of Hypothecation
8. Engine number of the vehicle
9. Fuel type
10. Month and year of vehicle manufacture
11. Registration validity
12. Seating capacity of the vehicle
13. Signature of the owner
14. Vehicle Chassis number
15. Vehicle class
16. Vehicle Colour
17. Vehicle Maker's class
18. Vehicle weight
19. Wheelbase

How to Get a Duplicate RC?

In case you lose or misplace your vehicle registration certificate, you may apply for a duplicate registration certificate. The application for duplicate RC should be made by the owner of the vehicle in Form 26 along with the following documents:

1. Police FIR copy (Reporting loss of RC book)
2. Application in CMV Form 26
3. Form 26 attested by the financer (In case the vehicle is covered by finance)
4. Registration fee as prescribed in Rule 81 (CMV Act)
5. Tax Receipt
6. Tax payment details of last 4 quarters
7. Car or Two Wheeler Insurance Certificate
8. No objection certificate (NOC) from vehicle financier
9. PUC Certificate

Documents Needed to Get a Duplicate Vehicle RC

Given below are the documents which are needed to get a duplicate vehicle RC:

1. A copy of FIR Copies of tax payment of the previous four quarters
2. Application Form 26
3. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financier
4. Insurance certificate
5. Pollution Under Control Certificate

Process to Convert RC Book to RC Smart Card

The application for converting paper RC book to RC Smart card should be made to the superintendent of traffic and the following documents must be submitted at the RTO along with the application:

1. Copy of insurance certificate
2. Copy of PUC Certificate
3. Prescribed fee to be paid
4. Original RC book

Once all the documents are submitted to the RTO, the RC smart card can be obtained within a week.

Cost of Vehicle Registration

No matter how much the car is worth, it's crucial to keep in mind that the registration price is Rs. 600. On the other hand, the Indian government intended to increase the registration fees.The government has chosen to delay the rise, nevertheless, as a result of a sharp decline in auto sales.

How to Renew RC? 

A Registration Certificate (RC) for a private vehicle is valid for 15 years from the date of registration. After this period, it must be renewed every 5 years to continue operating the vehicle legally. Renewal ensures that the vehicle is roadworthy and compliant with environmental and safety regulations. 

Steps to Renew Your RC: 

1. Visit the nearest RTO or access the Parivahan Sewa portal. 

2. Fill Form 25 – the official application for RC renewal. 

3. Submit the following documents:

1. Original RC 

1. Valid vehicle insurance certificate 

1. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate 

1. Address proof (Aadhaar, utility bill, etc.) 

1. PAN Card copy 

1. Passport-sized photos 

1. Duly filled Form 25 

4. Pay the prescribed renewal fee. 

5. Your vehicle will undergo a physical inspection at the RTO. 

6. Once verified, a renewed RC (usually in smart card format) will be issued within a few days. 

It is recommended to apply at least 60 days before the expiry date to avoid penalties or disruption in legal compliance. 

How to Check Vehicle RC Details?

Given below are the steps to check vehicle RC details online:

1. Step 1 - Visit the official website of VAHAN.
2. Step 2 - Next, click on the ‘Know Your Vehicle Details’ option.
3. Step 3 - If you already have an account, you can log in using your log in details. If you don’t have an account, you need to create a new account.
4. Step 4 - Now, log in using your credentials.
5. Step 5 - Enter the registration number of your vehicle, the captcha code, and click on ‘Vahan Sarch’ button.
6. Step 6 - You will be able to view the vehicle details on the website.

Steps to Check RC Details through SMS

Step 1 - Type VAHAN <space> your vehicle's registration number.

Step 2 - Send this message to 7738299899.

Step 3 - The vehicle information will be sent to you through SMS.

Documents Needed for Vehicle Registration

You need to submit the following documents for vehicle registration:

1. Duly filled and signed Form 20
2. Sales certificate in Form 21 which is issued by the vehicle’s dealer.
3. A copy of your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card
4. Passport size photographs of vehicle owner
5.  Form 22 and Form 22A
6. Insurance policy of your vehicle
7. A copy of your vehicle’s invoice issued by its manufacturer and dealer
8. Proof of address
9. Form 34 which is duly filled and signed by the vehicle owner and the financier

How to Check Vehicle RC Status? 

You can check the status of your vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC) online using the Parivahan Sewa portal provided by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. This is helpful when you're waiting for a new RC to be issued, renewed, or reprinted. Follow these steps to check RC status online: 

1. Visit the official Parivahan Sewa website. 

1. Click on "Online Services" from the top menu. 

1. Select "Vehicle Related Services." 

1. Choose your state and then select your RTO. 

1. Click on "Status" or "Know your application status." 

1. Enter your application number or registration number. 

1. Click on Submit to view the current status of your RC application or renewal.

You’ll be able to see if your RC is under process, approved, dispatched, or ready for pickup.

What is the Process to Change Address on RC Book?

Follow the steps mentioned below to change the address on RC book:

1. Step 1 -Submit a duly completed Form 33

1. Step 2 - Address change proof: Affidavit stamped by public notary, ration card, electoral roll.

1. Step 3 -Passport size photographs

1. Step 4 - Vehicle’s registartion certificate

All the necessary documentation can be sent to either the Grade 1 Motor Vehicle Inspectors or Regional Transport Officers. The address change process should take 1 working day.

What is Road Tax?

You must be aware that the government owns every road in India. You and other citizens who drive on the roadways must pay a road tax. State-by-state variations exist in the price of the road tax. The road tax which are collected by the government are used for:

1. Managing the cost to make and maintain the roadways.
2. Increasing the security on national or state highways.
3. Doing plantation and take necessary steps in reducing carbon footprints because vehicles emit carbon monoxide which is harmful for the environment.

Is it Compulsory to have the Vehicle RC while Driving?

Yes, it is mandatory to carry either a hard or soft copy of the vehicle RC while you are driving. If you fail carry a copy of vehicle RC, the traffic policeman will levy a fine of Rs.5,000 for the first offence and Rs.10,000 from the second offense onwards according to the Motor Vehicle Act.