Registration Certificate (RC) is issued by RTO for every vehicle. It is also essential for every vehicle owner to carry a valid RC while driving the vehicle on roads.
A registration certificate is issued with every vehicle by the RTO. It is a document that contains vehicle's registration number, engine, number, chassis, owner's name, and address, vehicle make, and model.
As per 1988 Motor-Vehicles Act, it is required for every vehicle owner to have a valid RC to drive vehicle on the the Indian roads. The MV Act states that without a registration certificate, nobody can drive a vehicle on Indian roads.
A registration certificate for vehicles is valid for 15 years from the issuing date and may be renewed for 5 years more. A car must be registered in any State or Union territory, pursuant to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988.
How is RC Book or RC Smart Card obtained?
The registration of your vehicle at the closest RTO Office is necessary for any vehicle owner (private or non-commercial vehicles). The vehicle is checked by an inspection authority in the RTO office/zonal office as part of the registration procedure.
You can also register your vehicle by means of automotive distributors with registration authorizations. In this case, only when the vehicle is registered, the self-registered dealers will be able to supply the vehicle to the customer.
Required documents for vehicle registration
Here is a list of documents that are needed to obtain your vehicle registration certificate:
- Form 20 duly filled out, i.e. a motor vehicle registration application form
- Form 21 i.e. a vehicle dealer sales certificate
- Form 22, Form 22-A, i.e. a manufacturer's roadworthiness certificate
- Pan Card
- Photos of passport size
- Invoice for dealer and Manufacturer
- Certified copy of vehicles insurance
- Certified copy of the address proof
- Registration Fees
- Signed Form 34 from owner and finance provider
Registration Certificate (RC) Card entries
Some of the important details or entries mentioned in your RC card are as follows:
- Registration number of the vehicle
- Vehicle owner's name and address
- Vehicle Class and manufacturer class
- Vehicle manufacturing year and month
- Used fuel
- Chassis Number and Engine Number
- Car body type
- Cubic Capacity
- Capacity of seat
- Wheel Base
- Vehicle's color
- Un-loaded Weight
- Date and expiry of the registration
- Owner's signature
Application Process for Duplicate Registration Certificate (RC) Card
You can obtain a duplicate RC by following the following procedure if your RC is stolen, misplaced or torn.
- File an FIR at your closest police station.
- File an RC duplicate request. For that, you'll need to receive Form 26.
- If you bought the vehicle on a loan, get the signature of your financer.
- Send Form 26 together with supporting documentation and letter of complaint to the Office of the RTO that originally issued RC to you.
Required documents to get the duplicate RC book
Some of the important documents that are required in order to get a duplicate RC book are as follows:
- Form 26, i.e. RC duplicate request
- Copy of FIR in the event of RC loss
- Copy original in the event of RC damage
- Details of last 4 quarters tax token and tax payments
- Certificate of insurance
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- A valid certificate of pollution
Conversion of RC Book to RC Smart Card
To convert your RC book to RC smart card, take the following steps:
- Write to your city's traffic police superintendent a letter stating that you want to make your RC book a smart card.
- Take a copy of the insurance and the emission certificate for your vehicle.
- Pay the fees you have been prescribed.
- Present your nearest RTO office with the RC book and the documents above.
- The RC smart card will be provided to you within a week at your registered address.
You should make sure that for all your vehicles, you have the required RCs. In case of a RCs, try to get one by following the due process mentioned in this article.
