Vehicle RC Renewal
Step 1: Visit parivahan.gov.in · Step 2: Select State & RTO · Step 3: Choose "Renewal of Registration" · Step 4: Enter Registration & Chassis Number · Step 5: Upload Documents & Pay Fees · Step 6: Book Fitness Inspection · Step 7: Visit RTO With Vehicle
RC Renewal
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every vehicle on Indian roads must have a valid Registration Certificate. When you buy a new vehicle, the RC issued by the RTO is valid for 15 years for private (non-transport) vehicles. After 15 years, the registration expires. Not the vehicle, the registration.
If you continue driving with an expired RC, you're driving an unregistered vehicle on public roads. The penalties under the amended Motor Vehicles Act are steep: up to Rs 5,000 for the first offence and up to Rs 10,000 for repeat offences, plus possible vehicle seizure and impounding.
After renewal, the RC is valid for another 5 years at a time. You can keep renewing it every 5 years as long as the vehicle passes the fitness test and meets emission standards.
The Fitness Test
RC renewal is not just filling a form and paying a fee. The most critical part is the vehicle fitness test. Your vehicle must be physically inspected at the RTO or an authorised Vehicle Fitness Test Centre to confirm that it is still roadworthy and meets current emission and safety standards.
The fitness inspection typically checks:
| Component | What Gets Checked |
|---|---|
| Emission Levels | Vehicle must pass PUC standards; older or poorly maintained engines often fail |
| Braking System | Both service brakes and parking brakes tested for response time and effectiveness |
| Steering & Suspension | Checked for looseness, play, or any damage |
| Lights & Electrical | Headlights, tail lights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights, and horn must all be functional |
| Tyres | Adequate tread depth, no cracks or bulges, correct size for the vehicle |
| Chassis & Body | Structural integrity, no major rust, no sharp protruding parts that could endanger pedestrians |
| Windshield & Mirrors | All mirrors present, windshield must not have cracks that obstruct driver vision |
What If the Vehicle Fails the Fitness Test?
If your vehicle doesn't clear the fitness inspection, you'll receive a rejection slip detailing the reasons. You're given a grace period (varies by state) to get the issues fixed. After repairs, you can bring the vehicle back for a retest. You'll need to pay the retest fee.
If the vehicle fails repeatedly or if the issues are beyond economical repair, the RTO can refuse to renew the registration. In that case, the vehicle is considered unfit for road use and should be scrapped.
Documents Required for RC Renewal
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Form 25 | Application form for RC renewal. Download from Parivahan portal, collect from RTO, or it gets auto-generated during online application |
| Original RC | The expired or about-to-expire RC smart card or booklet |
| PUC Certificate | Must be valid and current at the time of application. Obtain from any government-backed PUC centre |
| ID Proof | Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or voter ID |
| Address Proof | Aadhaar, utility bill, passport, or voter ID showing your current address |
| Fitness Certificate | Issued after your vehicle passes the fitness test at the RTO or ATS. In some states, this is booked as part of the renewal process itself |
| Engine & Chassis Number Prints | Pencil/ink impressions of both numbers for physical verification. Required by most RTOs during inspection |
| Road Tax Payment Receipt | Proof that all road tax is paid up to date. Clear any pending dues before or during the renewal process |
| Passport-sized Photographs | 2 to 3 recent photos |
How to Renew RC Online (Vahan Portal)
- Go to parivahan.gov.in and click on "Online Services" then "Vehicle Related Services". You'll be redirected to the Vahan portal.
- Select your State and RTO where the vehicle is registered, and Proceed.
- From the Online services menu, select "Renewal of Registration"
- Enter the Vehicle Registration Number and last 5 digits of chassis number and validate.
- Download Form 25, fill it out, and upload it along with all required documents (PUC, insurance, ID proof, address proof, RC copy)
- Pay the fees online via net banking, UPI, debit/credit card. The portal calculates the total including renewal fee, road tax (if pending), green tax, and smart card fee
- Book an appointment for the vehicle fitness inspection. Select your preferred date and time at the RTO or ATS
- On the appointed date, take your vehicle to the RTO/ATS with all original documents. The vehicle will be physically inspected
- f the vehicle passes the fitness test, the renewal is approved. The renewed RC will be dispatched to your registered address via Speed Post within 7 to 15 days. You can track the status online.
How to Renew RC Offline
If you prefer the offline route or if your state doesn't fully support online RC renewal:
- Visit your nearest RTO and collect Form 25 (or download it from parivahan.gov.in).
- Fill it out completely with your vehicle and personal details.
- Submit the form at the RTO along with all required documents and the applicable fee.
- The RTO will schedule a physical inspection of your vehicle. Bring the vehicle to the RTO on the inspection date.
- If the vehicle passes, the RTO issues the renewed RC, which is either collected in person or sent by post. Processing time is typically 7 to 15 working days after successful inspection.
How to Check RC Renewal Status
After submitting your application and completing the fitness test, you can track the status:
- Go to parivahan.gov.in, select "Online Services" then "Vehicle Related Services".
- Select your state and RTO, and Proceed.
- Click on Status, then "Know Your Application Status".
- Enter your application number and vehicle registration number.
- The status will show whether your application is pending, approved, under inspection, or dispatched.
RC Renewal Fees
The fees vary by state and vehicle type, but here's a general idea of what to expect:
| Charge | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| RC Renewal Fee (Two-wheeler) | Rs 300 onwards |
| RC Renewal Fee (Car) | Rs 600 – Rs 1,000 |
| Fitness Test Fee | Rs 200 – Rs 600 |
| Smart Card Fee | ~Rs 200 |
| Green Tax (15+ year old vehicles) | Varies by fuel type & state |
| Total (Two-wheeler) | Rs 1,000 – Rs 5,000 |
| Total (Private Car) | Rs 5,000 – Rs 15,000 |
The total cost adds up when you include other charges. Green tax applies to vehicles older than 15 years in most states, with diesel vehicles generally paying more than petrol ones. Road tax arrears, if any, must also be cleared before renewal.
Late renewal attracts additional penalties. Some states charge Rs 300 per month of delay for cars. Karnataka, for example, adds a monthly penalty plus a road safety cess for delayed renewals.
Green Tax: What It Is and Who Pays It
Green tax (also called environmental compensation charge) is an additional tax levied on older vehicles to account for their higher pollution levels. It was introduced under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 and has been adopted by most states.
The green tax is typically charged at the time of RC renewal for vehicles older than 15 years. The amount varies by state and by vehicle type. Private vehicles pay less than commercial vehicles. Diesel vehicles usually pay more than petrol vehicles because of higher emissions.
In most states, you must pay the green tax before you can book the fitness test appointment. The Vahan portal calculates the applicable green tax when you apply for renewal.
Delhi-NCR Exception: Very Important
If your vehicle is registered in Delhi-NCR, the rules are different and stricter. Following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order and subsequent Supreme Court directions, petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years cannot be renewed or re-registered in Delhi-NCR. They are de-registered.
This means if you own a petrol car registered in Delhi that has completed 15 years, you cannot renew its RC in Delhi. The vehicle will be de-registered.
Your options in this situation are limited. You can apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Transport Department and re-register the vehicle in another state that allows older vehicles. You can sell or transfer the vehicle to someone outside NCR. You can convert the vehicle to electric through an authorised EV retrofit manufacturer. Or you can scrap the vehicle through a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF).
There was a significant development in December 2025 when the Supreme Court modified its earlier order. The court clarified that the focus should be on emission standards rather than just age. Vehicles meeting BS-IV or newer emission standards are now shielded from age-based coercive action, though they must still pass fitness and PUC requirements.
The Vehicle Scrappage Policy
Under the national Vehicle Scrappage Policy (announced 2021), vehicles that fail the fitness test at an authorised automated testing centre are declared as "End of Life Vehicles." Owners of such vehicles are encouraged to scrap them through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF).
Incentives for scrapping include a scrap value of about 4 to 6% of the ex-showroom price of the vehicle, a rebate of up to 25% on road tax for a new vehicle purchased against the scrappage certificate, waiver of registration fees on the new vehicle, and manufacturers are advised to offer around 5% discount on new vehicle purchases against a scrapping certificate.