Registration is a process of registering the vehicle in some specific person’s name. This is done at the time of purchase of the vehicle. Without a valid vehicle registration, it is illegal to ply the same in India. Once a vehicle is registered, you can officially drive the same anywhere within the geographical boundaries of India.
Registering a motor vehicle in one’s name was quite a tedious process but that seems like a distant past now. The Government of India has launched its official website named “Vahan” as a part of the ‘Digital India’ drive. Now the entire procedure has become simple. Thus, it has become quite easy for you to follow the process without any hassle.
Vehicle Registration is a process whereby you get your car number plate and it is registered under the list and records of the Government. The main motto of registration is to have a linkage between you as the owner and your vehicle through a distinct identification number and therefore shows a car registration number plate. It is of extreme importance to register your vehicle so that the Government can curb any illegal activities in India. One of the main important reasons for registration of the vehicle is to get valid insurance coverage, without which is not possible.
According to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, section 39A, a vehicle is permissible to be driven in public roads only after registration by the respective transport authority for registration. Hence, the registration certificate is a certified legal document which acts as a proof that your vehicle is recorded and verified in Government records. In India, registration within 7 days from the delivery date of the vehicle is compulsory.
There are 2 situations under which a vehicle needs to be “RE”-registered, i.e. registered again. Those situations are:
However, if your period of stay exceeds 12 months, then you need to apply for a Transfer and Re-Registration. The process of Transfer of Vehicle is:
Steps for re-registering of the vehicle under certain scenarios:
Let us now see the 3 broad steps of car registration renewal in details for a better understanding:
The RTO then will issue an interstate automobile transfer NOC within a timeline of 2-3 weeks.
After the above step, you can apply for Re-registration of the vehicleand pay the appropriate road tax with a certain set of documents for the vehicle, your personal documents, NOCs etc. The following documents are to be submitted by you at the RTO
Here is the exhaustive list of documents that are needed for re-registration of a Vehicle:
There is a charge for re-registration of the vehicle which must be paid before the process is completed. Here is a list of the required fees that need to be paid for re-registration of a Vehicle:
Vehicle Type |
Amount (INR) |
Two Wheelers |
300 |
Light Motor Vehicle for Non-Transport |
600 |
Light Motor Vehicle for Transport |
1000 |
Vehicles carrying medium goods |
1000 |
Vehicles carrying medium passengers |
1000 |
Motor Cycle which is Imported |
2500 |
Vehicles carrying heavy passengers |
1500 |
Motor vehicles which are Imported |
5000 |
Vehicles carrying heavy goods |
1500 |
Other vehicles not included in the above list |
3000 |
The Registration Certificate can be renewed easily and you need to keep in mind the following points:
The car registration renewalof a private vehicle is effective for a period of 5 years. You are allowed to renew them every 5 years as mentioned above.
Re-registration is a legal and easy process which can be quite hassle-free if you get the documents beforehand. All you need to do is to follow the process, get the right documents and get the vehicle re-registered.
Yes, re-registration and reassignment of registration certificate are the same and the same applies when you are moving from one state to the other.
No, transfer of ownership and re-registration are different. Transfer of ownership happens under the following 3 scenarios:
As soon as the vehicle is sold off, the name of the buyer is recorded as the registered owner of the vehicle instead of the earlier registered owner and this process is called as the transfer of ownership.
As soon as the registered owner of a vehicle dies, transfer of ownership is effective in the name of the legal heirs of the expired registered owner and the usage of the vehicle can be for a period of 90 days within 30 days from the date of death of the owner.
When a vehicle is sold in public auction, the name of the buyer is recorded as a registered owner instead of the earlier registered owner and once again this is the process called and named as the transfer of ownership.
Yes, it is compulsory to get the No Objection Certificate and is a crucial step in the process of re-registration of your vehicle.
You can change the address in the RC book once you are shifted to a different state. As an owner of the vehicle to register a new address in case of any change in the address, you need to apply for the same with a certain document which is as follows:
Any one of the following documents is accepted as proof of residence.