Vehicle RC: All You Need to Know About Vehicle Registration & Owner Information

Vehicle registration is the process of registering a vehicle with a government agency, usually the department of motor vehicles (DMV). This typically involves providing proof of ownership, paying a fee, and obtaining a registration certificate and license plates. The specific requirements and procedures for vehicle registration vary by state. In general, it is a legal requirement to register a vehicle in order to operate it on public roads.

What is Vehicle RC Book?

In India, it is mandatory by law to register any motorized vehicle. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, all vehicles must be registered with the local transportation office based on the area where the vehicle will be primarily used.

This registration process includes obtaining an official document called the “Registration Certificate” or RC book. Without a valid RC, a vehicle cannot be driven on public roads. The RC for private or non-commercial vehicles is valid for 15 years, after which it must be renewed every five years. This applies to all vehicles, regardless of their brand, make, or model.

Step-by-Step Process to Check Vehicle Registration Information or RC Details Online

Checking vehicle registration information or RC details online is a breeze. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has developed the Vahan e-service portal, which acts as a centralised national register for all registered vehicles in the country. By following these steps, you can easily access the owner details and other information about a vehicle:

  1. Go to the Parivahan Sewa Portal by visiting https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
  2. Click on the ‘Online Service’ in menu.
  3. Choose the ‘Vehicle Related Services’ from drop-down.
  4. Select the state where the registration certificate was applied from the drop-down menu.
  5. Enter your vehicle registration number.
  6. Choose the ‘State RTO’ from the drop-down menu.
  7. Click on the ‘Status’ option from the top menu and select ‘Know Your Application Status’.
  8. Enter your application number and the captcha code, then click on ‘Submit’.
  9. Select the ‘View Report’ to check your vehicle details.

How to Apply for Vehicle RC or Smart Registration Card?

The process for applying for a vehicle registration certificate in India can vary depending on whether you choose to apply online or in-person at a Regional Transport Office (RTO). Below is a general overview of the steps involved in both methods:

Online Application:

  1. Log on to the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/)
  2. Click on the “Online Services” section on the top menu bar.
  3. Select “Vehicle Related Services”
  4. Select your state from the drop-down menu
  5. You will be redirected to the relevant Vehicle Services page based on your state. From there, you can apply for a vehicle registration certificate online.

In-person Application:

  1. Head to the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) with your vehicle.
  2. An RTO official will inspect your vehicle thoroughly.
  3. Fill out and submit Form 20, which is an application for obtaining an RC book.
  4. The RTO official will take an imprint of your vehicle’s chassis number.
  5. Submit all of the other supporting documents required for vehicle registration. (such as Form 21 provided by the dealer, Vehicle Insurance Certificate, Address proof of the vehicle owner, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, LIC Policy, Affidavit by the applicant, Self-attested copy of address proof, Form 34 attested by the vehicle owner and the financier, Vehicle registration fee, One-time road tax receipt, Vehicle receipt from the dealer, Passport-sized photographs of the vehicle owner)
  6. Pay the fees at the counter and obtain the receipt.
  7. The Registration Certificate of your vehicle will be sent to your address after a few days
  8. You can also download your RC book online through the DigiLocker smartphone application.

It’s important to note that specific requirements and procedures for vehicle registration may vary by state or district in India.

Vehicle Registration (RC) Fees in India

The cost of registration varies based on the category of vehicle you own. Please refer to the table provided for further details.

Type of VehicleFees
Two WheelersRs. 300
Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) – Non-TransportRs. 600
Medium Goods and Passenger VehiclesRs. 1,000
Heavy Goods VehiclesRs. 1,500
Heavy Passenger Motor VehiclesRs. 5,000
Imported Motor VehiclesRs. 3,000
Imported MotorcyclesRs. 5,000

Documents Required for Vehicle Registration

When registering a vehicle in India, it is important to have all the necessary documents in order to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Below is a list of documents that are typically required for vehicle registration in India.

  1. Application in Form 20
  2. Sales certificate in Form 21
  3. Road worthiness certificate in Form 22 from the manufacturers (Form 22A from the Body builder)
  4. Pollution under control certificate
  5. Valid insurance certificate
  6. Proof of address (Ration card, Electricity bill etc.)
  7. Design approval copy of STA in case Trailer or Semi-Trailer
  8. Original sales certificate from the concerned authorities in Form 21 in the case of ex-army vehicle
  9. Custom’s clearance certificate along with licence, and bond in case of imported vehicle
  10. Temporary registration, if any
  11. Form 34 (in case of HP endorsement)
  12. Copy of PAN card of Form 60 and Form 61 (as applicable) *
  13. Permit proceedings in case of transport vehicle*
  14. Municipal Corporation parking fee*
  15. Dealer and manufacturer invoice*
  16. Passport size photographs*
  17. Proof of Date of Birth*
  18. Chassis & Engine Pencil Print*
  19. Form CMV Form 22A in case of Body built vehicle (EX. Goods vehicle, bus etc.)*
  20. Bonafide agriculture certificate issued by Tehsildar in case of registration of tractor-trailer unit used for agriculture*
  21. Form-A under Taxation Act, 1997*
  22. Documents marked with asterisk (*) may be required in some states.

How to Check Vehicle RC Status?

To check the status of your vehicle’s RC online through the Parivahan website, you can follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Parivahan Sewa Portal at https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
  2. Click on the “Online Services” section
  3. Select the “Vehicle Related Services” option
  4. From the drop-down menu, select the state where the registration certificate has been applied.
  5. Enter your vehicle registration number
  6. Select the “State RTO” from the drop-down menu
  7. Select the “Status” option from the menu on top of the page and click on “Know Your Application Status” option
  8. Enter your application number, the captcha code and click on submit
  9. Select the “View Report” option. Once these steps are completed, you will be taken to a page with all the details about your RC application and its status.

FAQs

If your RC book is faded, soiled, or torn, you can convert it into a Smart Card by applying for a duplicate RC in the Smart Card format. This process requires submitting an application along with the following documents: Form 26 (in two copies), the original RC, proof of identification, proof of address, a chassis imprint, insurance details, and proof of passing the pollution under control (PUC) test.

To obtain a duplicate RC for your vehicle, you must first file a report at your nearest police station if your original RC is lost, stolen, or damaged. Then, you will need to fill out Form 26 and apply for a duplicate RC. If your vehicle is on loan, you will also need to get the form signed by the financier. Submit a complaint letter, along with the following documents, to the RTO office that issued your original registration certificate: Form 26, a copy of the FIR, tax payment details for the past 4 quarters, insurance certificate, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financier, and a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUUC).

To download your RC book online, follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://digilocker.gov.in/ and register for an account.
  2. Under the “Issued Documents” tab, select “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways”.
  3. Select “Registration of Vehicles”
  4. Enter your registration number and chassis number on the prompted screen
  5. After submitting the above details, you will be able to download your RC in different file formats under the “Issued Documents” tab.

To remove hypothecation from your RC, you will need to visit the relevant RTO office with the following documents:

  • NOC from the financier
  • Form 35 (in two copies)
  • Original registration certificate
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Insurance policy
  • Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Driving License
  • Payment receipt copy (if paid online)

You will need to have your documents verified by an RTO officer, sign an acceptance form, and pay for your new RC smart card. Once the process is complete, you will be given an appointment to collect your new RC from the RTO office.

An RC book includes information about the vehicle’s owner such as their name and address, as well as details about the vehicle such as the engine and chassis number, cubic capacity, type of fuel, etc.

When an RC expires, an application should be submitted to the Regional Transport Office to renew its validity for an additional five years.

If a vehicle is operated without a valid RC, the driver may face legal penalties or fines.

The validity period of an RC is 15 years from the date of issuance.

No, the process of renewing an RC and obtaining a duplicate RC are different. Renewal of RC refers to extending the validity of an existing RC, while obtaining a duplicate RC involves getting a new RC when the original is lost, stolen or damaged.