Simplified Guide to Vehicle Registration in India

Registration of motorised road vehicles in India is done by local Regional Transport Offices of the states. Commercial vehicles registered in one state cannot enter another state without a permit, which usually incurs a significant cost. Passenger vehicles registered in one state are allowed to pass through another state, but are not allowed to stay in another state for longer than a fixed number of months unless the road-tax being paid depending on Transport Rules of the States. 

A latest move by the Government of India may centralise the registration procedure in order to curb the corruption which prevails with all the regional transport offices. This is expected to make the registration of a vehicle valid in all states, unlike now, when many vehicle owners need to have separate registration certificates for each separate state, which is very hectic now. 

Whether you purchase a used car or a new car, you need to get your vehicle registered in India. While this may seem like a tiresome task, the government has ensured seamless online portals to help you complete your car’s registration online.

However, if you’re registering a car for the first time or haven’t had the chance to visit an RTO yet, you might feel confused while trying to understand the payable tax on cars in india. In this blog, we will discuss the RTO charges across different States in India to help you get your car registered hassle-free.

Essential Documents for New Car Registration in 2024

You require the following documents to register a new car in India in 2024:

1) Invoice: You need to submit the Retail Invoice as given against your car and the Manufacturer Invoice against your vehicle’s chassis number.

2) Sale Certificate (RTO Form 21): This effectively comprises details of your vehicle including the model, manufacturing dates, invoice amount, etc.

3) Road Worthiness Certificate (RTO Form 22): This form confirms that the vehicle comes with valid Safety, Road Worthiness and Pollution Certificates.  

4) Copy of Insurance Certificate: You need to submit this mandatorily whether you’re self-registering or registering through a dealer.

5) Adding Loan HP (RTO Form 34): Form 34 (optional for adding loan hypothecation, if vehicle is bought on a loan) has to be submitted.

6) Vehicle Registration Form (RTO Form 20): This is submitted along with a copy of the Temporary Registration Form (valid for 30 days).

7) Valid ID & Address Proof: A valid proof of address and identification must be provided.

Chassis Imprint on Plain Paper taken by Pencil (Optional) 

8) Additional Documents: If you’re registering your car in a new State and come from another State, you also need to submit the IGST (Inter State GST) Bill.

Important Registration Facts

The certificate of vehicle registration is valid for a period of 15 years post, and it needs to be renewed in every 5 years. The registration would be renewed subject to vehicle inspection and roadworthiness.

A temporary car registration certificate is valid for one month. When the motor vehicle is a chassis and the vehicle’s body is not attached, the registering authority may extend the validity.

The registration or renewal of registration of the vehicle can be denied if the registration authorities are not satisfied with the documents and details provided by the applicant and have a reason to believe that the vehicle is stolen or does not meet the required safety standards or emission norms.

The Vehicle registration done in any state in India done according to the rules and regulations as per the Motor Vehicles Act is valid and effective across all states and Union Territories in India.

A vehicle may be used in any other state without penalty for a maximum of 12 months, after which it must be re-registered in the state where it is used. For example, if your two-wheeler is registered in Karnataka and you relocate from Bangalore to Pune for any reason, you will need to re-register your vehicle in Pune and obtain the MH registration number after 12 months

For transfer of vehicle registration from one state to another, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required to be obtained from the RTO where your vehicle has been originally registered.

Transfer and Renewal Procedures

Two circumstances in particular need re-registering a car. First off, all private vehicles must be reregistered 15 years after the date of their initial registration, according to the Central Motor Vehicles Act. After that, if the RTO determines it to be safe and roadworthy, the registration may be renewed every five years.  

If a vehicle is transported to another Indian state and utilized there for more than a year, the registration must be renewed as well.

How to Re-Register for a Two-Wheeler?

The steps involved in the re-registration of a two-wheeler are as follows

Step  1  For re-registration of a vehicle that is more than 15 years old:

– The application should be submitted in Form 25

– The vehicle will be inspected at the RTO The required fee is paid at the RTO cash counter 

– The Registration Certificate will be issued after the verification of all documents

Step  2  For re-registration of a vehicle following inter-state transfer:

– A self-declaration affidavit should be submitted

– NOC should be obtained from the National Crime Record Bureau and the financier (if applicable)

– NOC should be procured from the RTO by submitting 3 copies of Form 27 and Form 28

– The insurance policy, PUC certificate, copy of the chassis imprint, smart card copy, ID proof, and address proof should also be submitted

For RC renewal, vehicles older than 15 years must submit a Form 25 application. The car must be brought into the RTO for inspection, and the required fee must be paid at the cash register there. Following a vehicle inspection and paperwork check, the RTO will issue a new Registration Certificate (RC)

– Duly filled Form 25

– Original Registration Certificate

– Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

– Vehicle Insurance Certificate

Inter-State Vehicle Transfer Process

When relocating car RC from one state to another, there are two important factors to take into account: Vehicle Hypothecation Status: If the vehicle has a financer’s hypothecation indicated on the registration certificate, you will need the financer’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) before registering it in another state.

Road Tax: The applicant might need to pay road tax at the depreciated value of the vehicle. If the state where you are moving to has a lower rate of road tax, you may also be eligible to receive a refund of the tax.

Road Taxes Across India

Road tax in India is a tax on cars, trucks and other vehicles. It is levied by state and union territories of India. It is imposed on vehicles on the basis of their engine capacity or the seating capacity. The tax varies from state to state and city to city. We have made a list of road tax charges payable in various States and Union Territories of India for easy reference.

FAQ’s

Q1. What is road tax, and why is it necessary to pay?

A1. Road tax is a state-level tax levied on vehicles to use the public roads and infrastructure. It’s mandatory for vehicle owners to pay road tax to legally operate their vehicles on Indian roads. The tax amount varies depending on factors like the vehicle’s cost, engine capacity, and the state in which it’s registered.

Q2. How is road tax calculated for vehicles in India?

A2. Road tax calculation varies from state to state and is based on factors such as the vehicle’s cost, engine capacity, fuel type, and purpose of use (private or commercial). Each state has its own formula or slab rates to determine the road tax payable.

Q3. What documents are required for vehicle registration in India?

A3. To register a new car in India, you typically need documents like the invoice, sale certificate (Form 21), roadworthiness certificate (Form 22), copy of insurance certificate, loan hypothecation form (Form 34, if applicable), vehicle registration form (Form 20), valid ID and address proofs, chassis imprint, and in case of interstate registration, the IGST bill.

Q4. How long is the vehicle registration certificate valid, and what happens after it expires?

A4. The vehicle registration certificate is typically valid for 15 years, after which it needs to be renewed every 5 years subject to vehicle inspection and roadworthiness. A temporary registration certificate is valid for one month. If a vehicle’s registration expires, it may lead to penalties, and the vehicle may be deemed unfit for road use until it’s renewed.

Q5. What is the process for re-registering a vehicle in another state?

A5. When relocating to another state, if you intend to use your vehicle there for more than a year, you’ll need to re-register it in the new state. The process involves obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original RTO, submitting necessary documents including insurance, PUC certificate, and ID/address proofs, paying road tax (if applicable), and obtaining a new registration certificate from the new state’s RTO.

Q6. How can I check the road tax fees applicable in my state?

A6. Road tax fees vary across states and union territories in India. You can check the road tax charges applicable in your state by referring to the state’s official transport department website or contacting the Regional Transport Office (RTO) directly. The fees are usually categorized based on factors like the vehicle’s cost, engine capacity, and fuel type.