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Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC Book / Smart Card)

Parivahan Vahan portal, RC transfer (Form 29/30), duplicate RC (Form 26), status check & DigiLocker e-RC

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📝 Reviewed by: India Docs Portal Editorial Team📅 Last updated: August 28, 2026Sources: Official .gov.in portals

Quick Answer

💡 A Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) is an official statutory identity document issued by Regional Transport Offices (RTO) under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 certifying vehicle ownership, engine/chassis numbers, emission norms, and road tax status. Private vehicle RCs are valid for 15 years, and digital copies on DigiLocker/mParivahan are 100% legally accepted by traffic police under CMVR Rule 139.

Quick Information

⏱️ Processing Time

Online Transfer / Duplicate RC: 7–15 working days | Digital e-RC on DigiLocker: Instant

💵 Fees

New Two-Wheeler RC: ₹300 | Light Motor Vehicle (Car) RC: ₹600 | Ownership Transfer Fee: ₹150–₹500 | Duplicate RC: ₹150–₹500 (plus smart card postal charges)

✅ Eligibility

Any individual, company, or institution purchasing a new or pre-owned motor vehicle registered in India

Who Needs This Document?

All motor vehicle owners (two-wheelers, cars, commercial trucks, buses) to prove legal ownership, roadworthiness, and state registration under Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988

Required Documents

  • Form 20 (Application for New Registration) / Form 29 & Form 30 (for Ownership Transfer) / Form 26 (for Duplicate RC)
  • Form 21 (Sale Certificate from authorized vehicle dealer) & Form 22 (Roadworthiness certificate)
  • Valid Vehicle Insurance Certificate (Comprehensive or Third-Party mandatory under Section 146)
  • Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate
  • Proof of Address and Identity (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Electricity Bill)
  • Chassis & Engine Pencil Print / High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) fitment certificate
  • Bank No-Objection Certificate (NOC) and Form 35 (if vehicle loan is cleared to remove hypothecation)

How to Apply for Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC Book / Smart Card)

1

New Vehicle Registration at Dealership

Under MoRTH faceless dealer point registration, the authorized dealer uploads Form 20, 21, 22, insurance, and road tax receipts onto Vahan 4.0, eliminating the need to bring the new vehicle to the RTO.

2

For Used Vehicle Ownership Transfer (Form 29 & 30)

Log into parivahan.gov.in > 'Vehicle Related Services' > select your State/RTO. Choose 'Transfer of Ownership', enter Chassis & Engine numbers, and authenticate via Aadhaar e-KYC.

3

Upload Seller & Buyer Documents

Upload signed Form 29 (Notice of Transfer) and Form 30 (Application for Intimation of Transfer), valid insurance, PUC, and buyer's address proof.

4

Pay Government Road Transfer Fees

Pay the statutory transfer fee and smart card charges online via Net Banking/UPI.

5

Submit Dossier to Registering Authority (RTO)

If your state operates faceless services, verification is fully digital. Otherwise, submit the signed physical file at the RTO where the vehicle is registered within 14 days.

6

Receive Updated RC & Link to DigiLocker

Track the application on Parivahan. The new chip-embedded PVC Smart Card RC is delivered via Speed Post, and the digital e-RC is immediately accessible on DigiLocker and mParivahan.

📝 How to Update Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC Book / Smart Card)

How to change your residential address, update mobile number, or remove bank loan on your RC:

1

Visit Parivahan Vahan Portal

Go to parivahan.gov.in and select 'Vehicle Related Services'.

2

Select 'Change of Address in RC' or 'Hypothecation Termination'

Choose the service you wish to execute.

3

Authenticate via Aadhaar e-KYC

Verify your identity using Aadhaar OTP to automatically fetch your updated address.

4

Pay Processing Fee

Pay the smart card fee online and track dispatch of the amended RC.

⬇️ How to Download Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC Book / Smart Card)

Download an official digital e-RC PDF via DigiLocker or Parivahan:

1

Log In to DigiLocker (digilocker.gov.in / App)

Sign in with your mobile number and Aadhaar.

2

Search 'Ministry of Road Transport and Highways'

Select 'Registration of Vehicles (RC)' under Central Government services.

3

Enter Registration & Chassis Number

Input your vehicle plate number and the last 5 digits of your Chassis Number.

4

Download Digitally Signed e-RC

Save the official QR-coded digital RC on your smartphone for traffic police presentation.

🔍 How to Check Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC Book / Smart Card) Application Status

Track vehicle registration details and RTO application status online:

1

Visit Parivahan RC Status Page

Go to parivahan.gov.in and select 'Know Your Vehicle Details'.

2

Enter Vehicle Registration Number

Provide your full vehicle registration plate number (e.g., DL01AB1234).

3

View RC Particulars & Fitness

Check vehicle owner name (masked), registration date, fuel type, emission norms, insurance expiry, PUC validity, and MV road tax status.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to notify RTO within 14 days of selling a vehicle (seller remains legally and criminally liable for traffic accidents/challans under Motor Vehicles Act until transfer is registered)
  • Not removing bank hypothecation (Form 35) after closing vehicle loan (bank remains registered legal owner on record)
  • Driving with an expired 15-year fitness on private vehicles (requires mandatory re-registration and green tax renewal)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a digital RC on DigiLocker or mParivahan legally valid during traffic police checks?

YES. Under Rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) 1989 and MoRTH advisory RT-11036/64/2017-MVL, electronic vehicle documents (RC, Driving Licence, Insurance, PUC) presented via DigiLocker or mParivahan app hold 100% legal validity across all Indian states and cannot be rejected by traffic police.

What is the validity of a Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)?

1) Non-transport (private two-wheelers and cars): Valid for 15 years from the date of initial registration. It can be renewed for 5-year blocks after passing an RTO fitness test. 2) Transport (commercial goods/passenger vehicles): Initial registration is valid for 2 years (new) and renewed annually based on mandatory automated fitness testing.

What is the procedure for vehicle ownership transfer (RC Transfer)?

1) Obtain signed Form 29 (Notice of Transfer) and Form 30 (Report of Transfer) from seller and buyer. 2) Log into parivahan.gov.in > Vehicle Related Services. 3) Enter vehicle registration number and chassis number. 4) Fill buyer details and upload Form 29, 30, valid insurance, PUC, and buyer's Aadhaar. 5) Pay transfer fees and submit application to the RTO within 14 days (or 45 days if inter-state with RTO NOC Form 28).

How to apply for a Duplicate RC if original is lost or damaged?

1) File a Lost Report (NCR/FIR) with local police. 2) Visit parivahan.gov.in > Vehicle Services > 'Apply for Duplicate RC'. 3) Fill Form 26, upload the police report copy, active insurance, and PUC. 4) Pay ₹150–₹500 fee. The RTO verifies records and dispatches a fresh smart card RC by Speed Post.

How to remove bank Hypothecation (HPA/HPT) from RC after loan clearance?

Obtain two copies of Form 35 signed by your bank/financier along with a Bank Loan Clearance NOC letter. Go to parivahan.gov.in > 'Hypothecation Termination', enter vehicle details, upload Form 35 and NOC, pay ₹100–₹200 fee, and submit to RTO to get a clean unencumbered RC.

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