Registration Certificate(RC): A Complete Application Guide

A brief overview of RC

When you buy a vehicle, you have to get the vehicle registered with the local RTO (Regional Transport Office). This is called vehicle registration. Vehicle Registration is a process whereby you get the number plate of any vehicle and the same is registered under the list and records of the government. The main intent of registration is to link the owner and the vehicle through a distinct identification number and shows a vehicle registration number plate. It is of utmost importance to register the vehicle keeping in mind the identity which is given to the vehicle and its owner.

Also without proper registration, you will not get the coverage for insurance. Most importantly a vehicle is permitted to be driven on public roads after registration by the respective authority for registration as per the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, section 39. Therefore, registration certificate or RC book is a certified paper which proves that the vehicle registered with the Transport division of Government of India. One has to mandatorily register his or her vehicle within 7 days from the delivery date of the vehicle.

RC* can be of 2 types as follows:

1. Temporary Registration: When a vehicle is newly bought, a temporary registration numerical figure is allocated by the dealer from whom the vehicle is purchased. This number acts as the temporary registration number. This needs to be registered permanently as per the law as stated above. The temporary Registration number is usually valid for 1 month and within this time the concerned vehicle must be registered by the respective Regional Transport Office department
2. Permanent Registration: This is what is known as the vehicle number plate in simple language which is a legal document to prove the authenticity of the owner of the vehicle with all other important details about the vehicle.

When you buy a new vehicle, the respective car dealer can do the registration on behalf of you with or you can do it yourself as well. In India, mostly the registration is done by the car dealer with the necessary charge (depending on the type of the vehicle) to save time and effort.

Now that you clear as to what is meant by vehicle registration and its importance, let us have a look at the documents which are needed for getting an RC.

List of documents needed for getting an RC*:

As mentioned earlier, the dealer will make the arrangements of getting all the required documents for getting the RC * book for you, however, it is important for you also to know what forms and documents are essential to get the registration done as you will be signing the forms and need to submit your identity documents along with all these documents.

• Form number 20- the application form for registering the car
• Form number 21 which is the Sales Certificate
• Form number 22 which is the Road Fitness Certificate to be obtained from the manufacturers
• PUC***
• Certificate of Insurance
• Address proof of the buyer like an Aadhaar card, Ration card, any Utility bill etc.
• For vehicles which are imported, the custom’s authorization certificate with the license and the bond
• If there are any Temporary registration
• For HP (Hire-Purchase) authorization Form number 34- An application for making a record of Hire Purchase following registration
• PAN card copies of the buyer with proper attestation or form 60 as appropriate
• For transport vehicles the Permit records
• Parking charge by the respective Municipal Corporation
• Invoice from the dealer with the manufacturer
• Photographs of the buyer which are passport-sized
• Age proof of the buyer
• Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine
• Form number 22A- An application for the manufacture or created for Body built of a vehicle, like a vehicle carrying goods, bus
• Form number A under the Taxation Act, 1997

A very common question which can come to your mind next is, what happens if you lose the RC * book?

The thought itself probably will make you a little uncomfortable, but let me tell you, there might be a situation where you may lose the RC * book or it may be damaged. There is no need to worry at all as there is a process of getting a duplicate registration certificate whereby you can get the same very easily. All you have to do is to follow certain steps which will enable you to get the same. Let us see below how it works.

Process for procurement Duplicate Registration Certificate (RC)* Card

The below-mentioned process to be followed if the RC is, lost or damaged and you can obtain a duplicate Registration Certificate:

1. You will have to file an FIR at the adjacent police station the RC* is lost
2. You will have to put an application to get a duplicate RC* through Form number 26
3. If the vehicle has been bought through a financer, you need to obtain the signature of the financier of the vehicle
4. You will then have to submit the Form number 26 along filling it correctly along with other documents. You will have to submit all documents together with a complaint in writing to the RTO department from where the original Registration Certificate was issued

Documents required for getting duplicate RC* book

1. Application for duplicate RC* i.e., form number 36 as mentioned above
2. Copy of the FIR where the RC* is lost
3. Original copy of RC* where the same is damaged
4. Tax details for the previous 4 quarters which include tax token and payment of tax
5. Certificate for Insurance
6. The No objection certificate needs to be obtained from the financier or the sponsor
7. A valid and authentic PUC***
8. Address proof of the owner of the vehicle
9. For vehicles of commercial use, the challan consent from the traffic department & Enforcement Wing
10. You will have to submit the affidavit affirming the fact that RC* is misplaced and hasn’t been confiscated
11. You will have to submit your PAN card copies with proper attestation or form 60
12. Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine

Now, let us see the fees which are charged for getting an RC * book

Fees for RC*

The following is the comprehensive list of RC* fees for some of the main categories of vehicles:

Point to note here that an extra charge of INR 200 will be applicable if the RC is a smart card which has been issued or may have been renewed under Form number 23A- It’s a certificate of registration in an electronic form. Nowadays every vehicle owner has a smart card which has all the details of the vehicle along with the details of the vehicle owner like name, date of birth, address, blood group.

RC* Smart Card has the below list of data or information:

• The date and the registration number
• The number of Engines
• The number of the Chassis
• The colour of the vehicle and its type
• The capacity of seating of the vehicle
• The Model number of the vehicle

You have often heard about the NOC and must be wondering how a NOC ** is applicable in getting an RC * book. Well, here is the reason given below.

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

The owner may want to take away or sell the vehicle outside the dominion of the registering authority inside or in any other State. In such situations, the owner will have to put an application for the issuance of authorization certificate to go ahead with the registering department where the vehicle was originally registered.

List of documents required obtaining the NOC** for the RC book

• Form number 28 application form for getting for NOC**
• Attested copy of the RC*
• Attested copy of the Insurance Certificate
• PUC ***
• Proof of all updated tax paid
• Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine
• Signature proof of the owner

As a buyer, you must keep in mind the below vital points for RC*

• You need to apply for a no-objection certificate through an application in Form number 28 to the registering department where the vehicle was formerly registered
• For transport vehicles, you must provide extra documented proof like a surrender of the permit, clearance of tax, clearance of the challan, fitness clearance of fitness etc.
• You need to pay the necessary taxes according to the CMVR**** 1989
• You need to pay the necessary charge according to the CMVR**** 1989

What happens if you wish to change your address in the RC* book or the smart card, in case you are shifted to a different place. Let us see below how and what documents are needed to do the same.

Change of address in the RC* book

The Motor Vehicle Act 1988 allows the owner of the vehicle to register the new address in case there has been a change of the address of the residence in the certificate of registration.

Important Points to note for changing the address in the RC *book

1. You as a registered owner has to apply through form no 33 for registering the new address within 14 days of a change in the address in the RC* book of
2. You need to pay the necessary charge according to the CMVR 1989

List of documents needed for a change of address in the RC* book

• Form number 33 application form
• RC* book
• New address proof
• PUC***
• Certificate of Insurance
• No objection certificate needs to be obtained from the financier or the sponsor
• Fee for the Smart card fee
• PAN card copies for yourself as an owner with proper attestation or form 60 as appropriate
• Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine
• Signature proof of yourself as an owner

So now don’t be worried when you are buying a new vehicle, be aware of the rules and regulations and follow the steps for registration and enjoy the ride with your family without any stress with your smart card.