Permanent registration process for motor vehicles in India

As per Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all vehicle owners must get their vehicles registered before riding them on Indian roads. A permanent registration number is an identification number that is issued by an RTO in your jurisdiction. This number is unique to your vehicle. The duration for applying for the registration of a new vehicle or the transferred vehicle to the registering authority is 7 days. The process to register your vehicle and the documents you require while registering your vehicle are as follows:

Procedure for obtaining a permanent registration number for the motor vehicle

You need to follow the below-mentioned steps to get a permanent registration number:

• Firstly, the vehicle owner needs to fill and submit the application form, i.e. the Form 20 to make an application for the permanent registration of their vehicle to the RTO located in their residence or business.
• After that, the vehicle owner is required to choose whether they want to apply for a general registration number or a fancy/VIP/choice registration number.
• Now, the concerned individual also needs to visit the RTO and submit the Form 20 along with the supportive documents and prescribed fee.
• The applicants are also required to take their vehicle along with them to the RTO. No individual will be issued a permanent registration number by the RTO until the vehicle is physically inspected. Certain states also authorize automobile dealers to inspect motor vehicles. In this case, the applicants need to attach the dealer’s inspection certificate along with their application form. If the automobile dealer has not provided an inspection certificate, then the applicant will need to get the vehicle inspected at the RTO. During the inspection, the vehicle pollution and emission levels, insurance policy, etc., will be checked by the Registering Authority.
• If all the details mentioned in Form 20 and the attached documents are accurate, the RTO will issue a registration number for your vehicle. Unless the vehicle owner has opted to apply for a special or VIP registration number, the RTO will allocate a random number.
• After the number has been issued to you by the RTO, you will be notified of the permanent registration number via email or SMS.
• Post this, the RC book of the two-wheeler will be sent to the vehicle owner via speed post.

Documents required while applying for permanent registration

Along with Form 20, you would need to submit these set of documents to the RTO while applying for permanent registration for your vehicle:

• Sales certificate (i.e. Form 21)
• Roadworthiness certificate (i.e. Form 22)
• Pollution Under Control (i.e. PUC) certificate
• Applicant’s ID proof along with the latest photographs
• Insurance certificate of the vehicle
• Applicant’s proof of address
• If the vehicle is imported, the bill of entry is also required
• If the vehicle is not a CBU (Completely Built Unit) vehicle, Form 22 Part 2(A) needs to be submitted
• Copies of the vehicle’s temporary registration
• Chassis imprint
• Design approval copy, applicable only in case of trailer or semi-trailer vehicle
• Form 34, applicable in case of hire purchase endorsement
• Copy of the applicant PAN card or Form 60 and Form 61, based on whichever is applicable
• Manufacturer and dealer invoice

Getting a permanent registration number is a convenient and hassle-free process if you know how to do it. Make sure to keep the above-mentioned points in mind before applying for a permanent registration number for your vehicle.