Vehicle & Transport#040

Understanding RC renewal (for vehicles older than 15 years)

Renew your vehicle's Registration Certificate when it turns 15 years old, then every 5 years after.

At a glance

Jurisdiction

India — State-level (Regional Transport Office where the vehicle was originally registered)

Who applies

Owners of private motor vehicles (non-commercial) whose Registration Certificate (RC) is about to complete 15 years from the date of initial registration and who wish to continue using the vehicle legally beyond that period.

Typical time

15–30 working days after submission; fitness inspection and approval may take longer depending on the RTO's workload.

Fee

RC renewal fee: ₹600 for non-transport private vehicles (two-wheelers approx. ₹300); road tax (renewal), if not already paid on a lifetime basis: varies by state; fitness inspection fee at automated test station or RTO (if applicable). Total out-of-pocket cost typically ₹3,000–₹10,000 when road tax renewal is included.

Who should use this process

✓The vehicle must be a private (non-transport) motor vehicle whose initial RC is completing 15 years.
✓The application for RC renewal must be filed before the expiry date of the existing RC; it may be filed up to 60 days before expiry.
✓The vehicle must pass a fitness/roadworthiness inspection at an automated testing station or by an MVI at the RTO.
✓The vehicle must have valid motor insurance and a current PUC certificate.
✓All road tax dues (if any) must be cleared before renewal is processed.

Who does NOT need to apply

✕Commercial/transport vehicles have different fitness certificate renewal timelines (see Process 046) and are not covered under this 15-year RC renewal process.
✕Vehicles registered in certain state-designated areas (e.g., NCT Delhi after 15 years for diesel vehicles) may face outright deregistration orders and cannot be renewed.
✕Vehicles that fail the fitness/emission inspection cannot have their RC renewed until repairs and re-inspection are completed.

Documents required

#	Document	Type needed	Purpose
1	Original Registration Certificate (RC)	Original	The existing RC is required for verification and will be surrendered or re-endorsed upon renewal.
2	Form 25 — Application for Renewal of Registration	Download / Print	Mandatory application form for RC renewal under Rule 81 of the CMVR; available on the Vahan portal and at the RTO.
3	Valid Motor Insurance Certificate	Original	Proof of current motor insurance coverage; mandatory for RC renewal.
4	PUC Certificate (Pollution Under Control)	Original	Valid emission compliance certificate from an authorised PUC centre; mandatory for RC renewal.
5	Fitness Certificate / Inspection Report	Original	Certificate from an automated testing station or MVI confirming the vehicle meets roadworthiness and emission standards after 15 years.
6	Proof of Address of Owner (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Utility Bill)	Self-attested Copy	To confirm the owner's current address for correspondence and records.
7	Road Tax Payment Receipt (if road tax renewal is applicable)(optional)Required only if the state imposes periodic road tax rather than a one-time lifetime tax.	Original	Proof that road tax for the renewed registration period has been paid.

Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.

Step-by-step guide

1
Get the vehicle inspected for fitness
Offline
Take the vehicle to an authorised automated vehicle inspection/testing station or to the RTO's inspection bay. The inspector checks roadworthiness, emission levels (BSIII/BSIV/BSVI compliance), brakes, lights, tyres, and body condition. Obtain the fitness/inspection certificate.
1–3 hours for inspectionMotor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) / Automated Testing Station Inspector
2
Obtain a valid PUC certificate
Offline
If the PUC certificate has expired, visit an authorised PUC emission-testing centre and get a fresh certificate. This is mandatory before filing the RC renewal application.
30–60 minutes
3
Apply for RC renewal on the Vahan portal
Online
Log in to vahan.parivahan.gov.in, select 'Citizen Services', and navigate to 'Vehicle Registration' → 'Re-registration of Vehicle'. Enter the vehicle registration number, fill in Form 25 online, and upload scanned documents (insurance, PUC, fitness certificate, RC).
vahan.parivahan.gov.in
4
Pay RC renewal fee and road tax (if applicable)
Both
Pay the renewal fee (₹600 for private non-transport vehicles) and any road tax dues through the Vahan portal or at the RTO cashier. Collect receipts.
Instantvahan.parivahan.gov.in
5
Submit application at the RTO (if physical visit required)
Offline
In states that require physical submission, visit the RTO with original documents — RC, insurance, PUC, fitness certificate, and payment receipts. Submit Form 25 and any supporting documents at the vehicle registration counter.
1–2 hours at RTORegistering Authority (RA)
6
Receive renewed RC
Offline
The renewed RC (valid for 5 years at a time for private vehicles older than 15 years, renewable every 5 years thereafter) is issued as a smart card and dispatched by post. In some states, an endorsement on the existing RC is made instead.
15–30 working days

Government officers involved

Registering Authority (RA)

Regional Transport Office (RTO)

Review of renewal application and issuance of renewed RC

Reviews the renewal application, checks all documents and inspection reports, and authorises the renewed Registration Certificate.

Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI)

Regional Transport Office (RTO) / Automated Testing Station

Fitness inspection of the vehicle

Inspects the vehicle physically to ensure it meets roadworthiness standards; issues the fitness/inspection certificate required for RC renewal.

Government portals

Vahan Parivahan Sewa

https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in

RC renewal application (Form 25), fee payment, document upload, and RC status tracking.

Parivahan Sewa Main Portal

https://parivahan.gov.in

RC expiry check, fee schedule, RTO locator, and vehicle-related citizen services.

DigiLocker

https://digilocker.gov.in

Accessing and sharing the digital RC; the renewed RC is pushed to the owner's DigiLocker account.

Things to watch out for

Apply before the RC expires

The RC renewal application should be filed up to 60 days before the 15-year expiry. Driving with an expired RC is an offence. Do not wait until the last day — fitness inspection scheduling and RTO processing take time.

Some states prohibit older diesel vehicles in certain zones

In NCT Delhi and certain other cities, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are banned from operating. Even if the RC is renewed, operating such a vehicle in a restricted zone attracts heavy penalties. Verify local rules before investing in repairs for renewal.

Fitness inspection must happen before, not after, application

Many owners submit the RC renewal application first and then go for inspection, which reverses the correct order. Get the fitness certificate first, as it must accompany the renewal application.

Renewed RC is valid for only 5 years

Unlike the initial 15-year RC, the renewed RC for private vehicles older than 15 years is valid for only 5 years. After every 5 years, the renewal process (including fitness inspection) must be repeated.

Outstanding challans must be cleared first

Many RTOs and the Vahan system now check for pending e-challans or fines against the vehicle. Outstanding challans must be paid before the RC renewal is processed. Check and clear all pending challans on the Parivahan portal.