How to Apply for Duplicate RC?  

Before we go ahead and understand the process apply for duplicate RC, it's important to understand when and why would a vehicle owner require a duplicate RC?

A need would arise for you to understand the process of how to apply for duplicate RC if:

There has been a theft of your vehicle, and all the important original documents, including the original RC were stolen with the vehicle? Or in case all-important vehicle documents have been lost or soiled beyond recognition?

As a vehicle owner, you would be required to get a duplicate RC issued from the city's transport authority office where the vehicle was originally registered.

Is getting a duplicate RC the same as getting RC renewed? Renewal of RC caters to the need when your RC is expiring or has expired, which often is the case when a vehicle is sold. The vehicle is reassessed for fitness before the renewal can be granted.

It is mandatory under the governing laws for all vehicle owners to have valid legible RC during driving. Section 39 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 always elucidates the need for valid registration:

Section 39 - Necessity For Registration

“No person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of a motor vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven in any public place or in any other place unless the vehicle is registered in accordance with this Chapter and the certificate of registration of the vehicle has not been suspended or cancelled and the vehicle carries a registration mark displayed in the prescribed manner: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a motor vehicle in possession of a dealer subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.”

Having understood the circumstances under which one would need to apply for a duplicate RC, let’s try and address how to apply.

Applying for duplicate RC is not a centralized procedure, and a few documentary requirements may vary from state to state.

The vehicle owner can execute the steps on their own to save some cost or obtain the services of an agent, which is often necessary considering not all vehicle owners are savvy enough to follow the online steps of how to apply for duplicate RC. Parivahan Sewa is the official portal governed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to handle vehicle-related services requests, including applications for duplicate RC. The portal works similarly to the very popular Passport Sewa portal. It is a centralized portal that accepts application requests to be further submitted to the concerned Transport Authority.

How to Apply for Duplicate RC Book Online?

The online steps of how to apply for duplicate RC are listed here for easy reference:

1. Fill out an application form online at the Parivahan Sewa website. This requires information of the police FIR and Vehicle insurance information.
2. Submit the required service fee (which includes the fee of a smart card) online with the application form. The fee varies depending on the category of a motor vehicle. For example, it costs around 700 Rs for duplicate RC for a Light Motor Vehicle category, including motorcars, jeeps, taxis, delivery vans.
3. A receipt will be generated on successful payment, which needs to be submitted along with other documents at the governing transport authority office.

Documents Required for Duplicate RC (the documents marked with * may be required in certain states):

1. The application submitted to the governing Transport authority needs to be supported by the following documents.
2. Application form 26 (in duplicate and one copy duly attested along with the endorsement from the financier of Hypothecated)
3. Original copy of FIR/Police certificate - This can be obtained by registering an FIR with the Police station under which the act (theft, lost, stolen) occurred, explaining the situation. Many states permit this procedure online.
4. Attested copy of Pollution under control (PUC) certificate
5. Attested copy of Valid insurance certificate*
6. Attested copy of Proof of address*
7. Challan clearance from traffic police & Enforcement wing Transport Department in case of commercial vehicles*
8. Tax clearance from Accounts Department in case of commercial vehicles*
9. Attested copy of PAN Card or form 60 & form 61 (as applicable) *
10. Chassis & Engine Pencil Print*
11. Signature Identification of owner*
12. Affidavit stating that RC is lost and has not been impounded*

The copies have to be Attested by MLA/Nigam Parshad/Gazetted officer/Public Notary.

On receipt of all required documents with the application, the registering authority may issue a duplicate RC that has a clear mark of "Duplicate".

Note* Explore more articles and information on RTO at RenewBuy.

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