Importance of Bike Registration Certificate (RC) in India

What is the RC of a bike?

A bike RC, or registration certificate, is a crucial legal document that every bike rider will definitely need to carry while riding. This simply proves that your two-wheeler is registered with the Government of India. According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, an RC is a must-have for all bike owners if they want to ride their bikes on public roads legally. RC can be in the form of a book or smart card and is valid for a period of 15 years; later, you can renew it for five more years. Temporary RC is valid only for one month and cannot be renewed beyond its term.

The bike registration card includes important information like:

• Registration number
• Engine number
• Registration date
• Type of vehicle
• Vehicle colour
• Chassis number
• Model number
• Seating capacity

When you register your bike, the RTO gives you a unique identification number, which you can see on the bike's registration plate. You must register your bike and get the RC within seven days of receiving the bike.

Bike Registration Certificate Types

There are two kinds of bike registration certificates in India. They have been explained below:

1. Temporary Registration Certificate

Whenever you buy a new bike, the dealer issues you a temporary registration number. This provisional certificate of registration is valid for only one month. Therefore, it has to be permanently registered at your respective RTO within that duration.

2. Permanent Registration Certificate

As the name suggests, it is a permanent vehicle registration number issued to your bike by the authorised RTO. The permanent vehicle registration number is required to be displayed on your bike's number plate.

Why is a Bike Registration Certificate Important?

In India, it is against the law to drive a vehicle without a driver's licence. Similarly, it is very important to have a bike registration certificate (RC) and bike insurance when riding. Here’s why having an RC is crucial:

• In India, you can't ride a two-wheeler on a public road without an RC.
• You may need to pay a penalty if you don't have a bike registration certificate. If you get caught the first time, the fine is ?5,000. The next time you get caught the fine is ?10,000.
• Traffic police will seize your bike if you don't have the RC.
• You need the RC in order to get insurance on your bike. You can compare different bike insurance policies online to find the best one for you. Plus, there are free online bike insurance premium calculators that allow you to compare how much the insurance will be before you even go out and purchase it.

Fees for Getting a Registration Certificate for a Bike

How to Obtain a Bike Registration Certificate Online?

Getting a bike RC (Registration Certificate) is as easy as getting bike insurance online. The process is simple and quick. If you want to register your bike yourself, just go to the "Vahan" official site on your browser. Here, you can register your bike and get the RC. You can also receive a fitness certificate on that site. Not only that, if you want to pass your bike on to someone else you can also do the ownership transfer with the help of this portal.

How to Get a Registration Certificate for a Second-hand Bike?

If you are buying a used bike, you need to ask for a two-wheeler ownership transfer. Once the bike is in your name, you have all the rights to it. It is very important to transfer the bike ownership to the next owner when the owner passes away. This process is legal and you need to follow the rules set by the government. The owner's family needs to provide the necessary documents and the registration certificate for the ownership transfer. The process is fairly simple and can also be done online.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the Bike Registration Certificate is important for all bike owners. This guide has explained why this document is necessary, what it includes, how to register your bike, and why it’s important to follow the rules. To make things easier, stay informed, carefully follow the registration steps, and keep your Bike Registration Certificate safe.