RTO Guide for Car: Vehicle Registration, Transfer & Renewal Process

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Importance of RTO Registration for Your Car

Buying a car is exciting. The first drive and the feeling of freedom. However, another critical step when buying a new car is registering it at your regional transport office (RTO). Car RTO registration is what makes your car legally recognised by the government. Without it, your vehicle is not considered road-legal. It saves you from hefty penalties you might otherwise pay if you drive without a valid registration.

Step-by-step Process for Car Registration at RTO

To register your car at the RTO:

Visit your RTO with your car
Fill out the duly filled-out application along with the documents
Pay the registration fee and the road tax
The RTO inspector will inspect the new vehicle
Vehicle data, including its make, model, fuel type will be uploaded to the central database
The assistant regional transport officer will approve the vehicle registration

Documents Required for RTO Car Registration

You need to produce these documents for car RTO registration:

Filled out Form 20, which is the application for car registration
Sale certificate, which comprises Form 21 issued by the manufacturer
Roadworthiness certificate, which is form 22
Passport-size photographs

PAN card and proof of residence, such as Aadhaar card, passport, etc
Identity proof such as PAN card, driving license, etc
Pollution under control certificate
Form 34 in the case of loan hypothecation

How to Check Car Registration Details Online?

You can easily check your car’s registration details online on the website of Parivahansewa in a few easy ways:

Visit the official website of Parivahansewa
Click on the ‘Informational Services’ dropdown on the homepage
Select ‘Know Your Vehicle Details’
Create an account using your mobile number. If you already have an account, log in with your mobile number and one-time password
Enter your vehicle’s number and the captcha code
Click on the ‘Vahan Search’ button

Once you do so, you will get your car RTO details.

Procedure for Transfer of Car Ownership at RTO

If you want to transfer ownership of your car to somebody else, you can do so at the RTO. For it:

Get the required documents, such as Form 29, Form 30, and the vehicle's registration certificate
Obtain a no-objection certificate if the vehicle is registered in another state
Fill out Form 29 and Form 30 with relevant details
Pay the applicable transfer fee at the RTO
Submit your application and the necessary documents
The motor vehicle inspector will inspect the vehicle
The transfer will be processed once documentation and verification are complete

How to Renew Your Car’s Registration Certificate (RC)?

Timely renewal of your car’s registration certificate (RC) is essential to ensure your car remains legally compliant. There are two ways to renew your car’s RC - offline and online. To renew offline:

1Visit the nearest RTO with the documents

Go to your nearest RTO with vital documents such as the original RC, insurance certificate, pollution under control certificate, road tax receipt, identity and address proofs.

2Submit form 25

Collect form 25 from the RTO office, fill it, and submit it after paying the necessary renewal fees.

3Vehicle inspection

Upon receiving your application, the RTO schedules a physical inspection of your car to check its fitness. Therefore, before you apply, ensure your vehicle’s fitness.

4Collect your RC

You will get the renewed RC once your car clears the physical inspection. Once you receive it, check that all details are correct.

To renew RC online:

Visit the Parivahansewa portal
Choose 'Vehicle Related Services' from 'Online Services'
Log in using your vehicle's registration number and select the nearest RTO
Enter all the required details and upload scanned copies of the documents
Pay the renewal fees and schedule an appointment for vehicle inspection
You'll receive your renewed RC once your inspection is successful

Understanding Road Tax and its Calculation

Road tax is levied on every car and other vehicle that runs on Indian roads. The government uses the tax collected for various purposes, such as expanding the road network, building road infrastructure, etc. Road tax differs across states and depends on your car's:

Age
Weight
Engine capacity

You pay this tax at the time of purchase.

How to Apply for a Duplicate RC Book?

If you’ve lost your original RC, you need to apply for a duplicate one. You can apply for a duplicate RC online and offline. For online application:

Visit the Parivahansewa portal
Choose 'Vehicle Related Services' from 'Online Services'
Select your state and RTO
Click on 'Apply for Duplicate RC'
Enter your car's registration number
Fill out the application form and upload the necessary documents
Click on 'Submit'
Make a payment and submit the acknowledgement receipt to your nearby RTO office. Book an appointment for verification of your car

For offline application:

Visit your nearest RTO office and collect Form 26A
Fill it and submit it with all the necessary documents, such as pollution certificate, insurance certificate, address proof, printed copy of engine chassis, etc
Pay the applicable fees
RTO officials will give you a date for the physical inspection of your vehicle
You will receive the duplicate RC post after successful inspection

How to Update Address Details in Your RC?

If you’ve moved elsewhere, you need to update your address in your RC. To do so:

Visit the official website of Parivahansewa
Click on 'Online Services' and choose 'Vehicle Related Services'
Enter your car's registration number and click on 'Proceed'
Choose the 'Address Change' option
Enter details of your new address and upload the required documents, including proof of new address
Pay the applicable fee and get the acknowledgement receipt
Upon successful verification, your address will be updated

RTO Forms Related to Car Registration and Ownership

There are several RTO forms related to your car’s registration and ownership (see table)

Form	What Does it Mean?
Form 20	Application for vehicle registration
Form 21	Car’s sales certificate
Form 22	Road worthiness certificate
Form 22A	Certificate of compliance with pollution standards and safety standards
Form 29	Car ownership transfer notice
Form 30	Application for intimation and transfer of vehicle ownership

Common RTO Charges for Cars in India

While RTO charges for cars in India may vary, some of the common charges remain more or less the same. These include:

Registration Charges	Approx ₹600
Hypothecation charges	Hypothecation charges
Number plate charges	Approx ₹ 400

That said, you can visit your nearest RTO office to find out the charges you need to pay for various services.

Frequently Asked Questions About RTO Guide for Car

What is RTO registration for a car?

RTO registration is the process of officially registering your car with the regional transport office. It gives your vehicle a unique registration number and allows you to legally drive it on public roads.

Is RTO registration mandatory for new cars?

Yes, it is compulsory. A new car cannot be legally driven without RTO registration, even if it has insurance and temporary plates.

What documents are needed for car registration at the RTO?

Common documents include the car invoice, insurance policy, address proof, identity proof, and Form 20. The dealer usually helps with this for new cars.

What happens if a car is not registered?

Driving an unregistered car is illegal. You may face fines, or the authorities can seize your vehicle. Insurance claims can be rejected in the event of an accident.

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