What is a Registration Certificate?
An official document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) that verifies a vehicle's registration in Nagaland is called a Registration Certificate (RC). The registration certificate (RC) serves as evidence that your car is properly registered and that all required fees, taxes, and paperwork have been submitted. It provides important details about the vehicle, such as the name of the owner, the engine, the chassis number, the registration number, and more.
In accordance with Indian legislation, the car must be registered; otherwise, fines or the vehicle may be seized. Moreover, the RC is needed for things like changing car ownership, obtaining a pollution report, and renewing insurance.
Importance of Checking RC Status
Monitoring your RC status ensures that your car stays roadworthy and helps you comply with the law. Here's why it's critical to verify your RC status frequently:
- Avoid Legal Penalties: It is against the law to drive a car in Nagaland or the rest of India without a valid registration certificate. Penalties, fines, or even the seizure of the vehicle are possible outcomes.
- Easy Transactions: Having a current RC is essential if you are selling or transferring ownership of your car. In order to make sure there are no legal issues with the car, buyers frequently check the RC status.
- Reminders for Renewal: Monitoring your RC status allows you to be aware of when it expires, renew it on schedule, and prevent any delays.
- Updating Ownership or Address: Verifying the RC status after moving or selling your car helps to make sure that the required modifications have been made to the documentation.
- Insurance and Pollution Certification: A valid RC is required for a number of services, including pollution certification and auto insurance. An expired RC may hamper these procedures.
How to Check RC Status
The RTO is required to provide a Registration Certificate (RC) after a vehicle is registered. It is typically good for 15 years for individual cars and a shorter period for commercial vehicles. After this period, the RC must be renewed; otherwise, your car will be considered illegal.
You have multiple options to be updated on the status of your RC, including online and offline methods, by utilising the ACKO Drive App. This is how you do it:
- Through the Parivahan Website
- Via the ACKO Mobile App
- Offline Process: Via RTO
Through Parivahan Sewa Website:
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- Navigate to "Online Services": Click on "Vehicle-Related Services."
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- Select Nagaland: Choose “Nagaland” from the drop-down menu.
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- Enter Vehicle Registration Number: Enter the registration number of your car and complete the captcha.
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- Check the RC Status: The portal will show the status after submission, along with other details like validity and registration date.
Via the ACKO Mobile App
Through their mobile app, ACKO provides a quick and easy way to verify the RC status of your car; this is very helpful for insurance-related inquiries. This is how you can do it:
- Get the ACKO mobile app: The app is available on both iOS and Android.
- Enter the details of the vehicle: Enter the registration number of your car using the "Check Vehicle Details" option.
- OTP Verification: To obtain a One-Time Password (OTP) for verification, enter your mobile number.
- View RC Status: The app will show the RC status along with other pertinent vehicle information following OTP verification.
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Offline Process: Via RTO
Visit the closest Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Nagaland if you would rather check the RC status offline or if you don't have an internet connection. Here's how to go about it:
How to Verify RC Status While Offline:
- Check Out the Closest RTO: Visit the RTO where you registered your car.
- Send in a Request: To find out your vehicle's RC status, ask for help. You can be asked for more information or the vehicle's registration number.
- Get Status Update: After verifying the RC status in their system, the RTO officer will send you the relevant details.
This approach could take longer than the internet alternative, but it's beneficial for people who want to communicate in person or who require more direction through meeting in person.
Documents Required for RC
When applying for a new vehicle registration or renewing an RC in Nagaland, you’ll need to submit several important documents. These include:
- Application Form 20: This is the form for registration of a new vehicle.
- Vehicle Sales Certificate (Form 21): Provided by the vehicle dealer at the time of purchase.
- Road Worthiness Certificate (Form 22): Issued by the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring the vehicle is safe to drive.
- Valid Insurance Certificate: Proof of active vehicle insurance is mandatory.
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: A certificate indicating that the vehicle meets emission standards.
- Address Proof: A document showing the current address of the vehicle owner (e.g., Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID).
- Identity Proof: A government-issued identity card such as a PAN card, Aadhar card, or Passport.
- Temporary Registration Number: If applicable, you need to submit the temporary registration number issued by the dealer.
Details Present on Vehicle Registration Certificate
The RC document is more than just a certificate of registration; it contains essential details about your vehicle. The information present on the RC includes:
- Registration Number: The unique alphanumeric code assigned to your vehicle.
- Chassis Number: A unique identifier for the vehicle used to track its manufacturing details.
- Engine Number: Another unique number that identifies the vehicle’s engine.
- Owner’s Name: The name of the person who legally owns the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type: The type or category of the vehicle (e.g., two-wheeler, car, truck).
- Manufacturer’s Details: The name of the company that manufactured the vehicle and the year of manufacture.
- Fuel Type: Whether the vehicle runs on petrol, diesel, electric, or an alternative fuel source.
- Registration Date: The date on which the vehicle was registered with the RTO.
- Insurance Details: Information related to the vehicle’s insurance, including policy number and insurer’s name.
- Pollution Under Control (PUC): Details of the PUC certificate, which is necessary to ensure the vehicle meets emission standards.
- Expiry Date: The date on which the RC will expire and needs to be renewed.
RC Renewal
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) increased the fee for individuals who are 15 years of age or older to renew their vehicle's registration certificate (RC) starting in October 2021. The government's attempt to phase out outdated, polluting cars through the car scrappage program has resulted in a substantial increase in the cost of RC restoration. Therefore, in order to extend the validity by an extra five years, you must file for renewal beyond this point.
Conclusion
For Nagaland car owners, the Registration Certificate (RC) is an essential document. It is necessary to facilitate a smooth ownership transfer, guarantee vehicle safety, and adhere to the law. Whether you do it online or offline, regularly monitoring your RC status helps you stay informed about the validity of your car's registration and enables you to avoid fines. Furthermore, you must renew the registration certificate (RC) on time to guarantee that your vehicle is roadworthy and complies with Nagaland laws.
Frequently Asked Questions