As soon as you purchase your dream vehicle, the first thing you want to do is get car insurance and get it registered. A vehicle registration certificate (RC) is a document that acts as an “ID” Card for your vehicle, which is issued by the RTO of your region. It contains essential details about the vehicle, owner, and registration validity, and is mandatory for insurance, transfers, renewals, and traffic compliance. Whether in physical or digital form, an RC is a core document for all vehicle-related services.
A Registration Certificate (RC) is an official document issued by the transport authority and the RTO that proves a vehicle is legally registered in India. It contains key details such as the vehicle number, owner information, engine and chassis numbers, and validity period. An RC is mandatory for driving a vehicle on public roads and must be produced during inspections, traffic checks, or insurance-related processes.
The following information can be found on the RC of a vehicle:
Vehicle registration number
Name and address of the vehicle owner
Vehicle make, model, and class
Engine number and chassis number
Fuel type (petrol, diesel, CNG, electric, etc.)
Date of registration and RC validity
Registration authority (RTO/DTO code)
Hypothecation details (if the vehicle is under loan)
Emission norms compliance
Seating capacity and vehicle colour
Yes, a Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) is commonly referred to as the RC Book in India. Both terms mean the same thing and represent the official proof that a vehicle is legally registered with the transport authority.
The RC Book contains essential details about the vehicle (registration number, make, model, engine and chassis numbers), the owner (name and address), and compliance information such as registration validity and hypothecation status. While motor insurance and PUC certificates are separate documents, the RC Book is often checked along with them during traffic inspections to ensure the vehicle meets all legal and regulatory requirements for use on Indian roads.
Vehicle Registration Certificates in India are mainly classified based on the stage of vehicle registration.
Issued for a short period when a new vehicle is purchased, allowing it to be legally driven until permanent registration is completed.
Issued after full registration with the transport authority, serving as the official and long-term proof of vehicle ownership and legality.
Once the validity of the Vehicle RC is over, it needs to be renewed (for permanent RC) or get a permanent RC (For Temporary RC). Here’s the validity of both RCs in India (Period may change from state to state):
Valid for up to 30 days from the date of issue, during which the vehicle must be registered permanently with the transport authority.
Valid for 15 years for private vehicles from the date of first registration and renewable thereafter in blocks of 5 years, subject to vehicle fitness and applicable rules.
Getting a Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) involves different steps and documents depending on whether it is temporary or permanent registration.
A Temporary Registration Certificate is issued immediately after purchasing a new vehicle, allowing it to be driven legally until permanent registration is completed.
Vehicle dealer applies for temporary registration on your behalf
Temporary registration number is generated
Temporary RC is issued with limited validity
Sales invoice for the vehicle
Form 20 (Application for registration)
Valid motor insurance certificate
Address and identity proof of the owner
Dealer sale certificate
A Permanent Registration Certificate is issued after full registration with the RTO/DTO and serves as long-term proof of vehicle ownership.
Dealer or owner applies for permanent registration at the RTO/DTO or via Parivahan portal
Payment of road tax and registration fees
Vehicle inspection and verification (if required)
Registration number is allotted
RC is issued physically or digitally
Sales invoice for the vehicle
Form 20 (Application for registration)
Form 21 (Sale certificate from dealer)
Form 22 (Road-worthiness certificate from manufacturer)
Valid motor insurance certificate
Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Address and identity proof
Temporary RC (if issued earlier)
Loan hypothecation documents (Form 34), if financed
Once issued, the Permanent RC becomes mandatory for all future vehicle-related services, inspections, and insurance processes.
You can check your Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) status online using official Government transport platforms.
Parivahan Sewa (RC / Application Status): https://parivahan.gov.in
mParivahan Mobile App: Available on Android and iOS app stores
Visit the Parivahan Sewa website.
Click on Online Services and select Vehicle Related Services.
Choose RC Status or Application Status (for pending RCs).
Enter your vehicle registration number in the given format.
Complete the captcha/verification.
Click Submit to view the RC status (Issued, Pending, Dispatched, or Under Process).
Download the mParivahan app.
Open the app and select Vehicle Services.
Enter your vehicle registration number.
View RC details and download the digital RC if available.
The cost of vehicle registration in India depends on the type of vehicle, fuel type, and engine capacity, as prescribed under Central Motor Vehicle Rules.
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Two-wheeler (non-transport) | ₹300 |
| Two-wheeler (transport) | ₹600 |
| Car / LMV (non-transport) | ₹600 |
| Car / LMV (transport) | ₹1,000 |
| Imported car | ₹5,000 |
| Imported two-wheeler | ₹2,500 |
| Temporary registration | ₹150 |
| Smart card RC | ₹200 (additional, if applicable) |
Note: Road tax, hypothecation charges, and state-specific fees are charged separately and may vary by state.
If you have sold your vehicle or transferred it to another person, you must officially update the ownership details with the transport authority to transfer the Registration Certificate (RC).
Visit the official VAHAN Parivahan portal: https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/
Enter your vehicle registration number and click Proceed.
Select the Basic Services option.
Enter the last 5 digits of the chassis number and click Validate Regn No/Chassis No.
Generate an OTP, enter the correct OTP, and submit.
Select Transfer of Ownership from the available services.
Fill in the required service details of the buyer and seller.
Update valid insurance details of the vehicle.
Review the fee panel and proceed further.
Pay the applicable transfer fee online.
Upload required documents, if prompted.
Book an appointment at the RTO/DTO, if applicable.
Receipt is generated after successful submission.
The application is then forwarded to the RTO/DTO for verification and further processing.
Once approved, the RC ownership details are updated in the buyer’s name and reflected in both physical and digital RC records.
To transfer the ownership of a vehicle, the following documents are generally required:
Form 29: Notice of transfer of ownership (signed by the seller)
Form 30: Application for transfer of ownership (signed by buyer and seller)
Original Registration Certificate (RC)
Valid motor insurance certificate (in the buyer’s name, if required)
Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Address and identity proof of the buyer
Sale affidavit or sale receipt (as applicable)
NOC from the financier (if the vehicle is under loan/hypothecation)
Chassis imprint (if demanded by the RTO/DTO)
Applicable transfer fee receipt
If you have shifted to a new address, you can update your address details in the Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) online through the official VAHAN portal.
Visit the VAHAN Parivahan website: https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/
Enter your vehicle registration number and click Proceed.
Select the Basic Services option.
Enter the last 5 digits of the chassis number and click Validate Regn No/Chassis No.
Generate an OTP, enter the correct OTP, and submit.
Select Change of Address from the list of available services.
Fill in the required service details with your new address.
Update valid insurance details, if prompted.
Review the fee panel and proceed.
Pay the applicable fee online.
Upload required documents, if configurable.
Book an appointment at the RTO/DTO, if required.
Receipt is generated after successful submission.
The application is then forwarded to the RTO/DTO for verification and approval.
Once approved, the updated address is reflected in the RC, and the revised RC is issued digitally or physically as per the process.
A Duplicate Registration Certificate (RC) is issued if the original RC is lost, damaged, or stolen, and can be applied for online or through the RTO/DTO.
Visit Parivahan Website
Enter vehicle registration number and validate using the last 5 digits of the chassis number
Verify identity through OTP
Select Issue of Duplicate RC service
Fill in service and insurance details
Pay the applicable fee
Upload required documents (if applicable)
Book an RTO/DTO appointment if required
Application is forwarded to the RTO/DTO for approval
FIR copy (for lost or stolen RC)
Original RC (if damaged)
Valid motor insurance certificate
PUC certificate
Address and identity proof
Fee payment receipt
After approval, the duplicate RC is issued digitally or physically as per the process.
Yes, it is mandatory to carry a valid Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) while driving, as it proves that your vehicle is legally registered under the Motor Vehicles Act. You can carry either a physical RC or a digital RC (via DigiLocker or mParivahan), both of which are legally valid.
Fine for not carrying RC: Up to ₹500 for the first offence and ₹1,500 for subsequent offences, as per traffic regulations. (may vary state to state)
An RC (Registration Certificate) is an official document issued by the transport authority that proves a vehicle is legally registered and allowed to be driven on Indian roads.
Yes. A digital RC available on DigiLocker or mParivahan is legally valid and accepted during traffic checks.
RC is usually issued within 7–30 days after registration, depending on the state and verification process.
Yes. Digital RCs issued through authorised government platforms are fully valid across India.
An RC smart card is a plastic card with an embedded chip that stores vehicle and owner details securely and replaces the old paper RC book.
Yes. RC ownership transfer can be initiated online through the VAHAN portal, with RTO/DTO verification.
You can apply for a duplicate RC online or at the RTO/DTO by submitting required documents such as an FIR (if lost) and paying the applicable fee.
Driving with an expired RC is illegal and may attract fines, penalties, or vehicle seizure.
Yes. Private vehicle RCs can be renewed after 15 years in blocks of 5 years, subject to vehicle fitness approval.
The fine can be up to ₹5,000, depending on the duration of expiry and local enforcement rules.
Yes. RC transfer status can be checked online using the vehicle registration number.
Yes. RC status can be checked online by entering the vehicle registration number on official transport portals.
By using the RC status or application status service on government transport platforms and entering your vehicle registration details.
