RC Book: Everything You Need to Know About Bike Ownership and Insurance Transfer

Two-wheeler insurance is an insurance product that safeguards you from any financial loss that might occur if your two-wheeler suffers loss/damage due to natural calamities or unforeseen incidents like theft, burglary, and accidents. * There are two types of two-wheeler insurance plans:

1. Third-Party Liability Insurance Policy
2. Comprehensive Policy

In India, having third-party liability insurance is mandatory before you take your two-wheeler on the road. You can insure your vehicle with bike insurance online or via the offline process. While getting a comprehensive two-wheeler policy is not mandatory, it is best advised that you buy it as it helps pay for the damages to your bike in case of any unprecedented incidents. * The registration of your vehicle, its ownership transfer and its RC book are documents that are essential throughout the lifetime of your vehicle. However, you need the registration certificate at the time of buying or renewing your bike insurance policy. Let's have a look at some useful information about these important documents.

What is RC book?

The RC book, or the Registration Certificate, is an official document issued by the Government of India, which certifies your bike is legally registered with the RTO (Regional Transport Office). Over time, the registration certificate, which was issued in form of a booklet, is now available as a smart card. It has the following details about your bike/two-wheeler:

1. Registration date and number
2. Engine number
3. Chassis number
4. Colour of the vehicle
5. Type of the two-wheeler
6. Maximum Seating capacity
7. Model number
8. Fuel type
9. The manufacturing date of the two-wheeler

It also has your personal information such as your name and address.

Features of the Bike RC Book

A two-wheeler RC book serves as legal proof of the registration of any motorized vehicle. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, every motor vehicle in India must be registered with the appropriate registering authority, based on the location where the vehicle will be used. Driving or using a vehicle in any public area without valid registration is prohibited. For private or non-commercial vehicles, the RC remains valid for 15 years from the date of registration. After this period, it must be renewed every five years. Regardless of the vehicle's brand, make, or model, registration under the Motor Vehicles Act is mandatory for all cars.

How to Apply for an RC Book or an RC Smart Card?

Applying for your bike’s registration certificate is a part of the registration process of your vehicle. Generally, for a new bike, the vehicle dealer does this process on your behalf. Here, your vehicle is inspected by the RTO officials and issued the RC book. When the dealer registers the bike on your behalf, its delivery will be done only after the RC is in place. The RC book is valid for 15 years and then it can be renewed after every 5 years.

What happens if you lose your RC book?

In India, driving a two-wheeler, or any vehicle for that matter is illegal if you do not have a valid registration certificate for the same. So, if you have lost RC book, or it gets stolen or misplaced, then lodge a police complaint (in case of stolen) and approach your nearest RTO to initiate the process of issuing a duplicate RC book. Submit form 26 with the following documents to RTO:

1. Copy of original RC book
2. Tax payment receipts and tax token
3. Copy of your two-wheeler insurance policy
4. NOC from financer (if you have bought your two-wheeler on loan)
5. PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate
6. Your address proof
7. Your identity proof
8. Passport size photographs

Make the payment, INR 300 (approximately), and you will receive an acknowledgement slip, which will have the date by when you will receive the hard-copy of the duplicate RC book at your doorstep.

Documents Required for Bike RC Transfer

Before initiating the transfer process, ensure you have the required documents prepared. Below is a checklist of essential items to keep handy:

1. Registration Certificate
2. Two-Wheeler Insurance Policy Documents
3. Fitness Certificate
4. Emission Certificate
5. Pollution Certificate
6. Engine and Chassis Pencil Print of the Vehicle
7. Tax Clearance Certificate
8. Passport-Sized Photographs of the Applicant
9. PAN Card (of both the seller and purchaser)
10. Proof of Date of Birth of the Purchaser
11. Purchaser's Undertaking

Having these documents ready will help streamline the transfer process.

How Can You Transfer The RC of a Bike Online?

If you have moved to a different state, for either a long period (more than a year) or permanently, you need to transfer the RC of your bike. The process to transfer your bike RC is straightforward:

1. Get the NOC letter from your current RTO.
2. Arrange for transporting your bike/two-wheeler to the new state.
3. Apply for registration of your bike in the new state.
4. Make the payment and the road tax as per the rules of the new state.

Bike Ownership Transfer Cost

Transferring ownership of a two-wheeler in India requires a specific process and incurs some fees. The exact cost can vary depending on your location and the age of the vehicle. Here's a general breakdown of RTO two-wheeler insurance costs if you have completed your RC book.

Please note: These are estimated costs and may vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. It's advisable to consult your local Regional Transport Office (RTO) for the latest fee structure.

How can you transfer bike ownership online?

When you are buying a second-hand bike or selling your bike, you need to take into consideration a bike ownership transfer process. Your two-wheeler insurance policy needs to be updated as well. It is the buyer who has to initiate the process of a two-wheeler ownership transfer.

Submit the below-mentioned documents to the Directorate of Transport office:

1. RC book
2. Insurance copy
3. Emission test certificate
4. Address proof of the seller
5. Tax payment receipts
6. Form 29 & 30
7. Passport size photographs of the buyer and seller

Here are the steps for the bike’s ownership transfer

1. The above documents will be verified and then signed by the officers/registration authorities.
2. Make the payment of INR 250 (approximately).
3. Collect the acknowledgement receipt.
4. Visit the official website of 'The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways'.
5. Click on the link named - 'Vehicle Registration Related Services'.
6. Enter the transfer registration number in the next screen which opens up.
7. Click on the 'Proceed' button.
8. On the next screen, click on the ‘Misc section’.
9. Enter the registration number, chassis number, mobile number and the OTP sent to your mobile number.
10. Click on ‘Show Details’. On clicking this button, complete details of your vehicle will get displayed.
11. On the same page, you will find the option - 'transfer of ownership'. Select the option.
12. Enter the details of the new owner of the vehicle.
13. Check the transfer fee amount and proceed to make the payment to complete the process.

Hope this document helps you understand the two-wheeler registration process, details of the bike’s RC book, the way to deal with the situation of a lost RC book, the process to transfer the RC book, and transfer the bike ownership online. Ensure that you have two-wheeler insurance while selling your bike. Moreover, ensure that you buy third-party bike insurance online for a hassle-free process to meet all legal requirements always. Read More: Patna RTO: Guide to Vehicle Registration and Other RTO Services

What are the steps to change the details on your vehicle’s RC?

In some situations, you may need to change the details mentioned on your vehicle’s registration certificate. Some reasons for such a change can be for removing the hypothecation of your vehicle, change in the colour of your bike, modifications that need RTO approval, or even change in personal details such as your address. In all these situations you must intimate the concerned RTO and get it changed. However, it is also possible to change it online. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit the Vahan Citizen Services, the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to change the details on your RC.
2. Enter your bike’s registration number and click on ‘Proceed’.
3. Next, select the ‘Basic Services’ option.
4. Enter the last five digits of your bike’s chassis number and validate it.
5. This will generate an OTP. Enter the OTP and click on ‘Submit’.
6. Once these above details are validated, you can select the option that you need to change your RC for.
7. For instance, you need to change your address. Now, you need to enter the ‘Service Details’ and also update your ‘Insurance Details’.
8. On paying the requisite fees, you need to upload your documents and your appointment can be scheduled.

How to surrender your vehicle’s RC?

Surrendering your two-wheeler’s RC is a critical step in situations where your vehicle is either stolen and never retrieved, damaged and beyond repair, not useable due to different reasons, or scrapped. Surrendering your RC ensures your vehicle is no longer registered to a different owner and its registration number stands cancelled in the RTO records. Here’s how to surrender the RC:

1. Visit the Vahan Citizen Services, the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to surrender your RC.
2. Enter your bike’s registration number and click on ‘Proceed’.
3. Next, select the ‘Online Services’ option and click on ‘RC Surrender’.
4. Enter the last five digits of your bike’s chassis number and validate it.
5. This will generate an OTP. Enter the OTP and click on ‘Submit’.
6. Once these above details are validated, you can select the option that you need to surrender your RC.
7. Now, you need to enter the ‘Service Details’ and also update your ‘Insurance Details’.
8. On paying the requisite fees, you need to upload your documents and your appointment can be scheduled.

Conclusion

Two-wheeler insurance and a valid Registration Certificate (RC) are essential components of owning and operating a bike in India. While third-party liability insurance is mandatory, a comprehensive policy is highly recommended for broader financial protection. The RC book, now available as a smart card, serves as a crucial document verifying your bike's legal registration and contains vital details about the vehicle and its owner. Read More: How to Get a Driving Licence Without a Test?

FAQs

What is RC Ownership Transfer?

It's the legal process of transferring ownership of a two-wheeler from the seller to the buyer, reflected in the Registration Certificate (RC).

What documents are required for RC Ownership Transfer? 

This includes the RC itself, transfer application form, sale agreement, both parties' ID proofs, and pollution under control certificate (PUC).

How long does it take to complete the RC Ownership Transfer process? 

The timeframe can vary, but it generally takes 1-2 weeks for online processing and up to a month for offline processing.

What are the fees for RC Ownership Transfer? 

These fees cover government charges, application fees, and potential state-specific charges. Refer to the table above for estimated costs.

Can I transfer the RC if the vehicle has a loan on it? 

No, you cannot transfer ownership if the vehicle has an outstanding loan. The loan needs to be settled before initiating the transfer process. *Standard T&C Apply *Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.