What is RC of a Bike? Complete Guide to Bike Registration Certificate in India

What is RC of Bike?

The RC bike full form is Registration Certificate. It is a crucial legal document that certifies the bike is registered under its owner’s name at the designated RTO. It also contains various other details, including the owner’s name and address, the vehicle’s registration number, engine number and chassis number.

According to Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, all vehicle owners are required to register their vehicles. Without proper registration, riding a bike on Indian public roads is illegal.

Details listed in a Bike RC

The RC of the bike lists a ton of information about the vehicle and its owner, including:

• Bike registration number.
• Bike’s chassis number.
• Bike’s engine number.
• Bike’s fuel type and emission norms.
• Bike’s registration date and validity.
• Bike’s make, model, colour and variant.
• Owner’s name and address.

Different Types of Bike RC

Besides knowing the answer to “What is RC of bike?”, you need to know about the types of RC in India. There are mainly two types of bike registration certificates, namely:

Temporary Registration Certificate

When you purchase a new bike, it is assigned a temporary RC. It is a provisional document that acts as the verification of the vehicle registration. Temporary RC has a validity of 30 days, starting from the date of vehicle purchase. It is vital that you get your bike permanently registered at the RTO within this timeframe.

Permanent Registration Certificate

When you register your vehicle at the concerned Regional Transport Office (RTO), it is assigned a unique alphanumeric registration number and a permanent registration certificate. This number must be displayed on the bike’s front and rear number plates (HSRP) at all times, and the RC will act as the legal document certifying its permanent registration. It is usually valid for 15 years and, afterwards, it needs to be renewed every 5 years, given that the vehicle passes the fitness test.

Why is the RC of a Bike Important?

Now that you know the RC bike full form, it is vital that you learn what is RC in bike in terms of importance. Here’s why the registration certificate of the bike is important:

1. In India, bike owners need to register their two-wheelers under the respective RTO to legally ride them on public roads. The registration certificate, or RC, of the bike is the lawful document that proves the registration and ownership of the vehicle.
2. When riding a bike in India, one needs to carry the vehicle RC, in a hard copy or authorised digital copy (via DigiLocker or mParivahan app), alongside other essential vehicle documents. Failing to adhere to this rule may lead to hefty fines of up to INR 5,000 for the first offence and INR 10,000 for repeat offences.
3. Having a valid RC of your bike is important when buying bike insurance. Additionally, you need a bike RC as a supporting document when filing for two-wheeler insurance claims.

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How to Apply for Bike RC?

When you register your bike at the RTO, you receive the RC upon successful registration. Usually, the dealership handles the registration process on the buyer’s behalf; however, you can also do it yourself. Here are the steps for it:

1. Visit the concerned RTO along with your bike.
2. Duly fill out the Application for Registration or Form 20.
3. Submit it along with the necessary documents, such as a copy of PAN Card, Form 21, dealer invoice, proof of insurance, proof of address, etc.
4. Pay the registration fee and road tax at the counter and collect the receipt.
5. The designated RTO official will inspect the vehicle.
6. All the vehicle details will be uploaded to the database and verified.

Await the processing of your registration request. Once done, your bike will be assigned a permanent registration number, and an RC will be generated and sent to the owner’s registered address.

Procedure to Obtain a Duplicate Bike RC

In the event that the RC of your bike is lost or destroyed, you can apply for a duplicate one. Here’s how to get it done:

1. First, you have to report to the police station in the concerned jurisdiction and inform the fact that it has been lost or destroyed in writing to the registering authority that issued the RC.
2. Then, you will need to fill out Form 26, i.e., the Application for Issue of Duplicate Certificate of Registration.
3. Submit the application to the last registering authority, alongside other necessary documents.
4. Pay the necessary fee for the duplicate RC as per Rule 81 of CMVR 1989.

After your application has been processed, your duplicate RC will be issued and sent to your registered address. Knowing all this information, alongside the answer to “What is RC in bike?”, is crucial for all bike owners.

List of Documents Needed for Bike RC

Here is a list of documents you need to submit for bike registration-related services:

For Permanent Bike Registration

1. Form 20
2. Form 21
3. Form 22
4. PUC certificate
5. Insurance certificate
6. Address and DOB proof
7. Copy of PAN card or Form 60 and Form 61 (as applicable)
8. Customs clearance certificate (for imported bikes)
9. Passport-sized photographs of the applicant
10. Pencil print of engine and chassis numbers.

For Duplicate RC

1. Form 26
2. PUC certificate
3. Insurance certificate
4. Address proof
5. Police certificate (for theft/loss)
6. Engine and chassis number pencil print
7. Owner’s signature
8. Form 60 and 61 or a copy of PAN card (as applicable)
9. Affidavit stating the bike RC is lost and has not been impounded.

For Change of Address on RC

1. Form 33
2. Existing bike RC
3. Proof of new address
4. Motor insurance certificate
5. RC smart card fee
6. Owner’s signature
7. Pencil print of chassis and engine number
8. NOC (in case of hypothecation)
9. Copy of PAN card or Form 60 and Form 61 (as applicable)
10. PUC certificate.

How to Check Bike RC Details Online?

These are the steps to check the bike RC information online:

1. Go to “Vehicle-Related Services” under “Online Services” at Parivahan Sewa Website.
2. Select the state name and RTO to proceed.
3. Go to “Know Your Vehicle Details” under “Additional Services.”
4. Enter vehicle registration, chassis and engine numbers and complete OTP verification.
5. Click on “Submit,” and the page will display all your vehicle registration-related details.

Conclusion

The Registration Certificate, or RC, is the identity of the bike. It contains crucial information about the vehicle and its owner, and acts as documented proof of registration and ownership. Maintaining a valid RC is non-negotiable for every rider, and keeping it in an authorised physical or digital copy while riding ensures a hassle-free riding experience.

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