You don’t want to pay a challan to the traffic police or have them detain your vehicle just because you missed carrying your vehicle’s RC (Registration Certificate). Do you? But now, there’s no stress if you are not carrying the physical RC book, as long as you can present a digital copy. You can download the RC book online from official sites to show to the traffic police if needed. This article will guide you through how to download the RC book online via trusted sites.
What is an RC & Why do Digital RC Book Download?
An RC is an acronym for Registration Certificate, also called the RC book. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues the RC, which is a legal proof of registration and ownership of a vehicle. In case you sell or transfer the vehicle’s ownership, you need to contact the RTO for a new RC to be given to the new owner.
You also need RC for insurance purposes, for an FIR if your vehicle is stolen or missing, for obtaining an NOC (No Objection Certificate) when moving to other states, and for other administrative purposes.
An RC book contains vital information like -
- Registration number
- Registration date
- Company name and model type
- Engine number
- Chassis number
- Vehicle type (two-wheeler, four-wheeler, etc.)
- Number of seats
Moreover, it is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act to have the vehicle’s RC book when driving. With a digital RC book download, you ensure you comply with the rule without having the need to carry the physical RC book in your vehicle or with you every time you drive.
Benefits of RC Book Download
The government has given a digital push to checking and downloading the RC book online in India. The reason is simple — it has benefits as listed below:
- Having a soft copy makes RC easily available and accessible during emergencies. You can download it, save it on your mobile, and show it whenever required.
- An online RC book acts as a backup when you lose or misplace the physical copy.
- When a new RC is issued, you don’t have to wait for its arrival or go to RTO to get it before you start using it. You can easily download the RC book online and use it while driving, buying insurance, etc.
- It is a digital, new-age thing for crucial paperwork, which is more secure, efficient, and transparent. Additionally, it eliminates the use of paper.
Also Read: How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership Online?
How to Download RC Book Online Through Official Websites?
You can download the RC book online through three official government websites or apps of Parivahan Sewa Portal, mParivahan, or DigiLocker. Here’s a step-by-step guide for each.
DigiLocker RC Download
- DigiLocker is a one-stop solution to fetch all necessary documents from the RC, driving license, to even a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. You can either download the DigiLocker app or use its web portal, and then follow these simple steps to download the RC book -
- Using your phone number, sign in to the website or app.
- Ensure that you link you have linked your Aadhaar with your account for quick access to your government-issued papers.
- For a quick download of your RC, you first need to have it uploaded or fetched in DigiLocker. You can fetch your RC by clicking on the ‘state’ section and selecting ‘registration of vehicles’ from the list of documents.
- Once done, you will find your RC in the ‘issued documents’ section right away when you open the app or the website. You can also open it to view or download it.
Vehicle Info RC Download
The term ‘VehicleInfo’ is self-explanatory; it contains all necessary information regarding your vehicle, from RC to insurance and PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate. Here’s how to download the RC book online from this app -
- Download the app, sign up, or sign in using your mobile number.
- As the app opens, the page has a ‘Top Features’ section displaying ‘search owner details’, ‘check challan details’, ‘bike insurance’, etc.
- Click on ‘search owner details’ and enter your vehicle registration number.
- You get all the details from the RC, PUC certificate, and insurance. You can download and even print the required document, including the online RC book.
mPriavahan, Now NextGen mParivahan App
For online download of the RC book through the NextGen Parivahan app, first download the app and create an account. Do as mentioned below -
- Create an account using your phone number, email ID, name as per the RC, and the state of registration of your vehicle. You will also need to create an MPIN of 6 digits.
- Once done, enter the vehicle registration number, chassis number, and engine number. You may have to verify using an OTP.
- Once done, the virtual RC appears on the dashboard for you to use whenever you want. You can log in to show it or download it.
RC Download through Parivahan Sewa
You need to create an account on this online site to view your RC book online. For checking the online RC, you need to -
- Enter your vehicle registration number and the ‘captcha’ if given
- You may get an OTP for verification
- After you enter the OTP, a new page with all details of your RC opens up. Other than the owner’s details, it also shows the insurance details.
Also Read: What is RTO and DTO, and the difference between them?
Summing Up
A virtual RC is easy to carry with no fear of losing the physical RC book. It can be viewed and downloaded anywhere — imagine travelling to a different state and instead of carrying all the documents, you can present them digitally on online portals. In case you lose your original RC and await a duplicate RC, the virtual RC can help you with insurance, legal non-compliance, and any other situations where you need your RC handy. So, it is best to download the RC book online and store it on your phone.
FAQs
Can I download the RC online with the chassis number?
Yes! Depending on the website or app you use, some ask for a registration number only, while some ask for other details like chassis number or its last 5 digits.
Can I view or download my RC online using someone else’s DigiLocker?
No, you cannot. DigiLocker is a centralised safe space for all your documents, and it must be verified through Aadhaar. Hence, you can have your own account through your Aadhaar and your own documents, and cannot view or download it from someone else.
How to download RC for an old vehicle?
It's the same way as for new vehicles, and, as explained above, how to download RC online through various trusted sites.
Why is a soft copy or digital RC better than a physical RC?
It is better because of instant access, no fear of loss, quick back-up for a lost RC, and it is a step towards a digital future.
What happens if I lose my original RC physical copy?
You will have to apply for a duplicate RC, which may arrive in a week or so.
If I apply for an RC, where can I check its status?
You can check the status of your application for an RC on the Parivahan Sewa portal.
How to apply for a permanent RC?
You need to contact your RTO and fill out Form 20 to apply for a permanent RC for yourself.
How to transfer ownership of a vehicle? Is it the same as the sale of a vehicle?
Transfer of ownership can be due to many reasons, sale, auction, or the death of the owner. So, not all ownership transfers are the same as the sale of a vehicle. You need to submit different forms to the RTO for different purposes. For example, ownership transfer while selling the vehicle requires you to submit Form 29 (along with other necessary documents), while vehicle transfer due to the death of the owner requires you to fill in Form 31.
