Vehicle registration: new RC, temporary registration and RC renewal

Every motor vehicle used on Indian roads must be registered, and the registration certificate (RC) is the proof. Registration records are held on Vahan, the national vehicle registry run under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and most RC services start on the Vahan citizen services portal.

Registration is required before you drive

Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act says no one may drive a motor vehicle in a public place, and no owner may allow it to be driven, unless it is registered, its registration has not been suspended or cancelled, and it carries a registration mark. Parivahan’s registration page adds that the application must be made within seven days of taking delivery, not counting the journey time.

For a new vehicle bought in the dealer’s state, the 2019 amendment to section 41 of the Act made the dealer responsible for the registration application, and the vehicle is not to be delivered until the registration mark is displayed. In practice, the dealer files the application on Vahan, collects your documents and fees, and hands over the vehicle with its number.

Temporary registration

If a new vehicle is not permanently registered at the time of sale, a temporary registration number covers it until permanent registration is done. According to Parivahan:

• it is usually assigned by the dealer, or by the registering authority, on an application in Form 20;
• it is normally valid for up to one month, in which time the vehicle should be permanently registered;
• you can apply for an extension, giving the reason and the period needed, up to two times;
• a penalty applies on a second extension, as set out in the rules.

The central fee for issuing or extending a temporary registration is half of the registration fee for that vehicle type (Rule 81, serial 4A, from 1 April 2021). Copies of the sale certificate, insurance certificate and roadworthiness certificate are needed.

Permanent registration: forms and documents

Permanent registration is applied for in Form 20 to the registering authority for the area where the vehicle is kept. Parivahan’s page lists these core documents:

Imported vehicles also need customs clearance papers, and trailers need the state’s design approval. Parivahan marks several items as required only in some states, such as a parking fee receipt, a chassis and engine pencil print, photographs and proof of date of birth. Download forms from the forms page.

Before applying you also choose the type of registration number: a general number allotted in sequence, or a choice or “fancy” number booked through Parivahan’s fancy number portal for an extra fee set by the state.

Registration fees by vehicle type

Central fees for registration are in Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The issue fee in serial 4 was restructured by G.S.R. 901(E) of 22 December 2022, with effect from 1 April 2023:

Smart card fee, GST and state charges

• A further ₹200 applies when the RC is issued as a laminated card without a chip or as a smart card (Rule 81, Note 2), except for a fresh RC after a loan is closed.
• Since G.S.R. 568(E) of 20 August 2025, all Rule 81 fees are stated exclusive of GST.
• States may charge a lower fee or add amounts for automation, technology, testing and other services. Road tax, number plates, postal charges and choice-number fees are set by states and are not in these figures.

The fee calculator gives the central total for any vehicle type.

Battery-operated vehicles: fee exemption

G.S.R. 525(E) of 2 August 2021 exempted battery-operated vehicles from the fees for issuing or renewing a registration certificate and for assigning a new registration mark. The Press Information Bureau release on the change says it was made to encourage electric mobility. Road tax on electric vehicles is a state matter, so check your state’s rules.

Certificate of Deposit: fee waiver when you scrap an old vehicle

From 1 April 2022, G.S.R. 714(E) of 4 October 2021 waived the registration fee for a new vehicle registered against a Certificate of Deposit. That certificate is issued by a registered vehicle scrapping facility when you scrap an old vehicle. Scrapping is arranged through the official vehicle scrapping portal.

BH series registration

The Bharat (BH) series, introduced by G.S.R. 594(E) of 26 August 2021, is for people whose jobs move them between states. A vehicle with a BH number does not need a new registration mark when the owner moves state. According to the PIB release:

• the number format is YY BH #### XX: year of registration, “BH”, four digits and two letters;
• it is voluntary and open to defence personnel, Central and State Government employees, Central and State public sector employees, and private-sector employees whose organisations have offices in four or more states or union territories;
• motor vehicle tax is levied for two years or in multiples of two, and after the fourteenth year it is charged annually at half the earlier amount.

You apply through the dealer or RTO in Form 27A. Private-sector employees also give a working certificate in Form 60. Both forms are on Parivahan’s forms list.

How long an RC lasts

Under section 41(7) of the Act, the RC of a non-transport vehicle is valid for 15 years from the date of issue and can then be renewed. Transport vehicles stay registered only while their fitness certificate is valid, so they go through regular fitness tests instead.

RC renewal for vehicles older than 15 years

Parivahan’s renewal page says you apply in Form 25 to the registering authority for the area where the vehicle is, not more than 60 days before the RC expires. You pay any tax due and the renewal fee, and the vehicle must pass the fitness test. Documents include the PUC certificate, fitness certificate, RC, proof of tax paid and insurance, with some items required only in some states.

Since G.S.R. 568(E) of 20 August 2025, renewal fees depend on the vehicle’s age:

The smart card fee and GST are added to these. Fitness test and certificate fees are separate and were revised by vehicle age in G.S.R. 850(E) of 11 November 2025; the Vahan fee panel shows the amount for your vehicle.

Some states and cities restrict the use of older vehicles for environmental reasons. Check with your state transport department before paying to renew a very old vehicle.

Late renewal fees

If you renew after the RC has expired, Rule 81 adds a delay fee for non-transport vehicles: ₹300 for each month or part of a month for a motorcycle and ₹500 per month for other vehicles. Delay quickly adds up, so apply within the 60-day window before expiry.

New vehicle registration, step by step

For most buyers of a new car or two-wheeler, the process looks like this:

1. Buy and insure. The dealer issues the invoice and the sale certificate in Form 21, and the vehicle is insured before delivery.
2. Choose the number. Accept the next general number or book a choice number on the fancy number portal.
3. Application on Vahan. The dealer enters the Form 20 application with your address proof and PAN or Form 60, and adds Form 34 if the vehicle is on a loan.
4. Pay fees and tax. You pay the registration fee, smart card fee and state road tax, usually through the dealer.
5. Approval and number plate. The registering authority approves the application, the number is assigned, and the plate is fitted.
6. RC delivery. The RC card is posted to your address or collected as your state directs. Its details then appear on Vahan.

If you bought the vehicle outside your home state, it usually carries a temporary registration until you register it in your own state.

Checking your registration details

Once registered, you can view your RC in DigiLocker or the Nexgen mParivahan app. Parivahan also links an official page to check vehicle details and compliance. Make sure the owner’s name, address, mobile number and loan details are correct; errors are easier to fix early. To update the mobile number, use Vahan’s mobile update page.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Letting the temporary registration lapse. Driving after it expires means driving an unregistered vehicle.
• Ignoring the loan entry. If the RC shows hypothecation after your loan is repaid, you cannot sell easily; apply for termination.
• Missing the renewal window. Delay fees run month by month after the RC expires.
• Paying agents for “fast” registration. Fees are paid on Vahan or through your dealer, and receipts can be reprinted on Vahan.

Other RC services on Vahan

Once a vehicle is registered, these services are handled on Vahan:

• transfer of ownership when you sell or inherit a vehicle;
• NOC and change of address when you move;
• hypothecation when you take or repay a vehicle loan;
• duplicate RC if the certificate is lost or damaged.

S.O. 4353(E) of 16 September 2022 lists temporary registration, duplicate RC, NOC, change of address, transfer of ownership and hypothecation services among those that can be done online with voluntary Aadhaar authentication.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the dealer have to register a new vehicle?

The application must be made within seven days of delivery, excluding the journey. For new vehicles sold in the dealer’s state, the dealer files it and should not hand over the vehicle until the registration mark is displayed.

What is the registration fee for a car?

The central fee for a light motor vehicle is ₹600, plus ₹200 for a smart card, plus GST. Road tax and state charges are extra and vary by state.

Do electric vehicles pay a registration fee?

No central fee is charged for issuing or renewing the RC of a battery-operated vehicle, under G.S.R. 525(E) of 2021. State road tax rules differ.

Can I drive on a temporary registration?

Yes, within its validity, which is normally up to one month. Make sure the permanent registration is done before it expires.

Who can get a BH series number?

Defence personnel, Central and State Government and PSU employees, and private-sector employees of organisations with offices in four or more states or union territories. It is optional.

When should I renew my car’s RC?

Up to 60 days before it expires, which is 15 years after first registration for a private vehicle. Fees depend on whether the vehicle is 15–20 years old or older.

I am moving to another state. Do I need to re-register?

Section 47 lets you keep a vehicle registered in one state in another for up to 12 months. If it stays longer, apply for a new registration mark in Form 27 with an NOC from the original state. A BH series vehicle does not need a new mark. See the No Objection Certificate (NOC).

My RC is lost. What do I do?

Report the loss to the police and apply for a duplicate RC in Form 26 on Vahan. The central fee is half the registration fee. See duplicate RC.

Where can I see my RC online?

You can view your RC in DigiLocker and the Nexgen mParivahan app once it is on Vahan.

Related: fees, forms, RC transfer, NOC and hypothecation.