Renewing your RC? Here's all you need to know

Driving a vehicle comes with a responsibility. An individual should never drive a vehicle without the necessary documents and always ensure they are updated. One such important document is the Registration Certificate (RC).

Under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, any vehicle that is used on public roads should have a RC, which can be received through the payment of road tax. However, the RC needs to be renewed after 15 years from the date of issue. After that, the vehicle registration can be renewed every five years as long as RTO finds the vehicle to be fit.

So, if you need to renew your vehicle’s RC and not aware of the process to renew it, then follow these steps.

• Apply for renewal of RC through Form 25 to the RTO under whose jurisdiction the vehicle is, you should not apply after 60 days of its expiry
• Once you apply, you will be issued an appointment for your vehicle’s re-registration. It is not mandatory for the registered owner to be present during the process.
• When you will show the vehicle at the appropriate RTO, the RTO officer will conduct an inspection of the vehicle.
• If the officer finds it clean to use in the future, he will sign and stamp the documents giving his approval.
• Once the documents get signed, you will have to pay the due taxes on the vehicle, if there will be any.
• You may have to pay various other levies, such as renewal fees, etc. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the appropriate fee is specified in Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.

The documents you need to fill include Application in Form 25, Pollution under control certificate, RC book, Fitness Certificate, Certificate of registration, Proof for the payment of up-to-date road tax paid, Insurance certificate, Copy of PAN card or Form 60 & Form 61 (as applicable), chassis and engine pencil print and Signature identification of the owner.