Importance of Bike Registration Certificate and How to Obtain it

Posted on: Jan 11, 2023 | | Written by:

Importance of Bike Registration Certificate and How to Obtain it

Published on January 11, 2023. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

Have you been eagerly waiting to get your hands on a new bike? The experience of riding a new bike out of a showroom is unparallel. If you are planning to take your new bike out for a spin, there are a few prerequisites that you should be aware of. To start with, you must have a bike registration certificate handy with you. Also, you can buy bike insurance online, as it is mandatory to have one to ride your bike.

The RC of the bike is one of the most important documents that a bike owner needs to have. And without the registration certificate of the bike, you cannot take it out for a ride. Here is all that you need to know about the RC of your bike.

What does the RC of a bike mean?

RC stands for the registration certificate of a vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 makes it mandatory for all bike owners to ride with their RC at all times. Failing to do so can attract hefty penalties for you.

The statutory document essentially states that your bike has been registered with one of the RTOs (Regional Transport Office) of the country.

It is the only legal proof that your bike is registered and that you can legally ride it on public roads. The RC also shows that you have the authority to ride on the roads.

The importance of having RC for your bike

The RC of your bike is the only legal document that contains all the important information about the bike. Thereby making it an important document to identify your bike in the event of an accident. Here is all the information that the registration certificate of the bike contains.

1. The registration number of the bike

2. The date on which the registration was carried out

3. The bike’s name and model

4. The seating capacity of the bike

5. The type of bike that you own

6. The colour of the bike

7. The engine number of your bike

Given the importance of the document, failing to produce it when needed can lead to a hefty penalty of Rs. 2,000. And in some cases, even the seizure of the bike. If you want to avoid paying any other kind of penalties, you must also carry third party bike insurance. You can easily buy bike insurance online for a hassle-free experience.

What are the steps to obtain the RC of the bike?

Gone are the days when RC was issued as a small document where you always ran into the risk of damaging the document. These days, RTOs issue a smart card for a registration certificate, which are both easy to handle and store. You can carry the RC in your wallet.

The RC of a bike is usually valid for 15 years. On the completion of the 15 years, the RC will expire, and you will need to renew it. After 15 years, the RTO will renew the registration for 5 years. On the other hand, if the RTO issues a temporary RC to the bike owner, it is valid only for a month and there is no need for any renewals.

Here are some steps that you must follow to get the RC of your bike.

1. After buying a bike, you must take your brand-new bike to the nearest RTO. The RTO authorities will carry out a visual inspection of the bike before proceeding with the next steps.

2. You will need to fill out Form 20, which requires information such as your name, address of residence, PAN details, type of bike, manufacturing details of the bike, engine number, and the colour of the bike.

3. You will also need to provide an imprint of the chassis number of your bike.

Before you head out to register your bike, you must look for bike insurance online. Buying comprehensive two-wheeler insurance is recommended, as it protects your bike against any sort of contingencies.

Documents that you need for bike RC

Before you head out to the nearest RTO, here are all the documents that you must keep ready for verification.

1. Original copy of the invoice from the manufacturer as well as the dealer of the bike

2. Ensure to attach a copy of proof of address and bike insurance policy.

3. Provide the roadworthiness certificate that is issued by the bike manufacturer.

Once you provide the above set of documents and complete all pending processes, including payment of the road taxes, the RTO will issue the registration certificate for your bike. You will most likely receive the smart card at your registered mailing address within 15 working days.

Can you get a bike registration certificate online?

It is possible that carrying out the above steps might not be possible for everyone. There is a simpler alternative to the same. You can apply for an online registration certificate for your bike. The entire process is online and is much simpler than visiting an RTO.

For the online application process, you need to visit the Parivahan official website. Once you are on the website, you can select your state of residence and select the option to register your bike. The documents needed for the registration remain the same. Thus, you must ensure the purchase of at least third-party two-wheeler insurance. You can avail of a lot of other services online such as renewing the registering your bike, getting the fitness certificate of the bike, transferring the ownership of the bike, and so on.

Major reasons to opt for comprehensive insurance

The laws mandate all vehicle owners to have third-party two-wheeler insurance at the minimum. However, the coverage on offer might not be adequate. On the other hand, comprehensive bike insurance might offer you all the coverage that you are looking for. Here are some of the major benefits of opting for one.

1. Get protection for your bike against natural calamities such as cyclones, typhoons, landslides, etc.

2. Get protection for your bike against man-made nuisances such as theft, vandalism, riots, strikes, etc.

3. Get your bike repaired at a network garage without having to worry about paying for the expenses.

4. If you do not claim your policy, you stand to benefit in the form of no claim bonus, which can lower your policy renewal premiums.

Conclusion

The registration certificate of a bike is one of the most crucial documents. It is also a legal mandate, and riding without it can lead to hefty penalties. Similarly, you must also carry your bike insurance policy. Failing to insure your bike will lead to hefty penalties and a lot of financial burden on you, should any incident take place. You can buy bike insurance online, as it is fast, convenient, and wallet-friendly. In a nutshell, always ensure that you carry your RC and bike insurance policy with you.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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