How to Get a Duplicate RC in Ladakh: A Complete Guide

Published on 8 Jul, 2025, 5:12 AM IST

Updated on 8 Jul, 2025, 7:09 AM IST

Team Ackodrive

6 min read

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Travelling across Ladakh in your vehicle provides you with great flexibility, but what if your Registration Certificate (RC) is lost, spoiled at high altitude, or misplaced in transit? Here's a comprehensive guide to get a duplicate RC in Ladakh, with a step-by-step analysis of the application process, online or offline, documents needed, estimates of costs, tracking procedures, and some handy tips for locals to keep you on the road and within the law in this stunning union territory.

Contents

Why You Need a Duplicate RC in Ladakh

Your RC is proof of ownership and registration of your vehicle and it's compulsory according to the Motor Vehicles Act. In Ladakh, police checks are common and climatic conditions tend to ruin documents, so it's important to have an RC. Losing or damaging it might not only hinder travel, it may attract penalties, delay insurance claims, or block transfers of a vehicle.

A duplicate RC is a perfect legal replacement for the original, having the same registration number, chassis and engine numbers, owner's address, and RTO details. This book illustrates how and when to get one for the Ladakh region so that your vehicle stays compliant and travel-ready.

Two Methods to Apply for Your Duplicate RC in Ladakh

You have two options that are legal:

Online Application via the Parivahan Sewa portal
Offline Application at your nearby RTO office

Both routes are legal. Choose one that works for your location or travel.

Online Application for a Duplicate RC in Ladakh

The online option is simpler and spares RTO visits:

Go to Parivahan Sewa at https://parivahan.gov.in.

Under the Online Services option from the menu bar, choose Vehicle Related Services

Choose your place, Ladakh.

Provide your vehicle registration number and the last five digits of your chassis.

Click on Proceed, then Duplicate RC.
Fill the form by providing owner details, RC replacement reason (lost, weather damaged, stolen), and FIR number if necessary.
Upload scanned documents to provide a clear copy, particularly address proof.
Pay using UPI, net banking or credit/debit card.

Keep your acknowledgement number safe for tracking. Use it to track your application's status.

How to Apply Offline for Duplicate RC in Ladakh

For people residing in Leh, Kargil town, or Minor, or with poor internet connectivity, this option might be better:

Go to your district police station and file an FIR in case your RC is stolen or lost.
Take the FIR and all documents to your local RTO office.
Fetch and fill out Form 26; fill out Form 34 in case your vehicle is loaned.
Affix your signature affidavit stating the reason for requiring a duplicate, original ID, proof of address, spoiled RC (if present), insurance and PUC certificate, and a copy of FIR.
Deposit the duplicate RC fee through cash or a Demand Draft.
Get an acknowledgement receipt having your application number.
The RTO will process and usually issue a date of issuance within 15 to 30 working days.

Documents Required for Duplicate RC in Ladakh

Keep the following handy to prevent delays:

FIR copy (in case of lost or stolen RC)
Signed Form 26
Signed Form 34 (if financed vehicle)
Proof of identity: Aadhaar, driving license, or passport
Proof of address: electricity bill, ration card, voter ID or passport
Affidavit explaining why you need a duplicate RC
Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate valid
Insurance policy valid
Damaged RC, if available
A recent passport-size photograph

Always carry originals and a few clean photocopies. Ladakh's RTO offices tend to request self-attested documents.

What is the Duplicate RC Cost in Ladakh?

Estimated fees for Ladakh (check locally for updates):

Vehicle Type	Fee (INR)
Two-wheeler	₹150
Light private vehicle	₹300
Light commercial vehicle	₹500
Medium/heavy passenger or goods vehicle	₹500–₹750
Imported vehicles	₹1,250–₹2,500
Other or special categories	As per RTO norms

Online payments are convenient if you are on the move; offline applicants may pay at the RTO.

How to Track the Application for Duplicate RC in Ladakh

You can track your application online by following the steps below.

Visit the Parivahan portal.
Go to Online Services and click on Vehicle Related Services.
Select your place, Ladakh.
Provide your registration or acknowledgement number.
Monitor your application in real time.

In case of necessity, you can follow up with your RTO or local police station by using the same reference number.

How to Download a Duplicate RC in Ladakh

After your application is accepted, you can download it by going through the below mentioned steps below.

Visit the Parivahan Sewa website.
Go to Online Services and Select Vehicle Related Services.
Choose Ladakh.
Provide your vehicle and chassis numbers.
Check through OTP.
Download the RC in PDF format.

You can save it in DigiLocker or mParivahan.

Expected Timelines of Getting Duplicate RC in Ladakh

1. Online application: 10–20 working days

2. Offline application: 15–30 working days

Remote towns such as Drass or downstream might see slight delays. Ladakhi holidays and heavy snowfall might influence timings too.

Reasons that Can Delay the Duplicate RC Application Process and How to Avoid Them

There are a number of problems that can delay the duplicate RC application process in Ladakh. These range from typing errors for vehicle or chassis numbers, unfocused or incomplete scans of documents, or even a lack of an obligatory FIR where the RC was stolen or lost. Applicants tend to forget to attach Form 34 when the vehicle is under finance, causing their applications to be rejected.

Unpaid traffic challans or pending motor vehicle taxes can also create obstacles in approval. Furthermore, RTO offices in Ladakh can be closed during festivals or extreme winter conditions, impacting processing timelines further.

Internet connectivity issues, especially while making online submissions in far-flung areas, are also prevalent. If you experience any of these hold-ups, using your acknowledgement number to trace with the RTO or local police can lead to a quick resolution of the issue.