When you first buy your dream bike, you cannot wait to take it for a ride. But before you go all-in on your exhilarating bike ride, you need to make sure you have all the paperwork ready, including your RC. RC, an acronym for Registration Certificate, is an essential document containing important details of your two-wheeler. This document proves that your vehicle is registered with the Regional Traffic Office. In this blog, you will learn about the importance of RC books for riding your favorite two-wheeler.
What is an RC and how do you obtain RC for your two-wheeler?
RC is a short form of the term Registration Certificate. Your RC book will contain important details such as your two-wheeler’s registration date, registration number, engine and chassis number, the bike’s model, owner’s name, address, and other important details.
If you have brought a brand-new bike, your dealer will take care of your registration process. They will approach the nearest Regional Transport Office for you and register the two-wheeler. After the process is done, the office will generate a smart card driving license, and you will probably receive it via speed post.
In case you have taken a secondhand bike, you will need to visit the RTO, where the people in charge will first examine the condition of the bike to check its roadworthiness; at the same time, they will inspect all the paperwork. Upon finding no error, the officials will provide you with your two-wheeler RC book.
How long is the validity of a two-wheeler RC book?
Your two-wheeler’s RC book is generally valid for 15 years. After the completion of the 15-year term, you will need to get your bike registered again. Once again, the officials will assess the condition of the bike, and upon approval will provide an RC that will be valid for the next 5 years.
What are the types of two-wheeler Registration Certificates?
There are broadly two types of Registration Certificates available in India, they are:
- Temporary Registration Certificate, and 2. Permanent Registration Certificate.
- Temporary Registration Certificate: a provisional registration certificate is given to you by the dealer when you first buy a brand-new bike. This is your bike’s temporary registration certificate. This RC will be valid for only 1 month, and the bike owner needs to take it to the nearest Regional Transport Office within the first month to get it permanently registered.
- Permanent Registration Certificate: a permanent registration certificate is the official certificate you receive from the authorized regional transport office which contain all important details of the vehicle as well as the owner, such as, address, name, registration date and number, and various others. Your bike’s permanent RC must be on the number plate.
The importance of two-wheeler Registration Certificate:
Bike owners are required to carry their bike’s RC with them always whenever they are on the road, just like their driving license. The importance of your bike’s RC is mentioned below:
- Without a valid RC, you are not allowed to drive your vehicle on public roads. It is considered a serious crime and a punishable offense to drive any vehicle that the local Regional Transport Office has not registered.
- In case anybody gets caught riding your bike without an RC, the police official will charge a penalty of Rs. 5000 for first-time offenders. The penalty charge can go as high as Rs. 10,000 for subsequent offenses.
- The Registration Certificate is an essential and mandatory document to apply for a two-wheeler insurance policy.
How to get a bike registration certificate online?
Bike-owners can now get their bikes registered online by simply visiting official transport portal “Vahan” from their browser. The process is really easy. From this portal, you can receive your RC online from the comfort of your home without visiting the RTO. Moreover, the website can help you with other essential tasks as well, including generating your fitness certificate or ownership transfer if you wish to give your vehicle to someone else.
What is a duplicate Registration Certificate, and how to get it?
A duplicate registration certificate is the document you apply for in case you lose your original RC. Bike owners receive a duplicate registration certificate when they get their original RC lost, torn or used up. This is how you apply for a duplicate regional certificate:
- Go to the local police station and report an FIR if someone steals your RC or you lose it.
- After filling in Form 26, submit it to the police station to obtain duplicate RC.
- Submit all the essential documents required for getting a duplicate RC:
- Photocopy of the FIR file.
- Bike insurance policy.
- NOC from the bank.
- PUC certificate.
- Identify proof of the two-wheeler owner
- Permanent address proof of the owner.
- Copy of the last four digits of the tax payment number.
After submitting all the necessary documents, you will receive an acknowledgement receipt with the receiving date of your duplicate RC mentioned.
Wrapping up:
Riders must register their bikes from an authorized RTO as soon as they buy their two-wheelers. RC is a crucial legal document that gives the vehicle and rider a unique identity. Owners are required to carry the document with them at all times while riding. Moreover, riders who do not have RC are not eligible to buy any two-wheeler insurance policy.
