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Vehicle RTO Registration (वाहन आरटीओ पंजीकरण)
Register a new car or two-wheeler in India: understand the on-road price, buy insurance, let the dealer file Forms 20, 21 and 22 on Vahan, pay road tax, get HSRP plates and receive your RC.
- India
- ~27 days
- 8 steps
- 5 documents
Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026
Steps
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Understand the on-road price (ऑन-रोड कीमत समझें)
2 daysThe ex-showroom price is only part of what you pay. Ask the dealer for an itemised on-road quote: ex-showroom price (including GST), road tax set by your state, registration and smart-card RC charges, insurance, FASTag for four-wheelers, and any optional extras such as extended warranty or accessories.
Road tax differs widely between states and often depends on the vehicle price, fuel type and engine size; many states give concessions on electric vehicles. The vehicle is registered at the RTO for your address, so give the dealer the address you want on the RC.
If you are a defence employee, a central or state government or PSU employee, or work for a private company with offices in four or more states or union territories, you may opt for a Bharat (BH) series number.
Tip: Accessories, extended warranty and handling charges are optional. Ask for them to be removed if you do not want them.
- Get an itemised on-road price quote in writing
- Check road tax rate for your state on the transport department site
- Decide whether you want a BH-series number, if eligible
- Compare dealer insurance with other insurers
- Confirm the address to be printed on the RC
- Decide on loan or full payment
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Gather registration documents (पंजीकरण दस्तावेज़ इकट्ठा करें)
2 daysGive the dealer copies of your identity and address proof (Aadhaar is the most common, or another address proof such as a passport, utility bill or registered rent agreement), PAN card or Form 60 if you do not have PAN, and passport-size photographs if the dealer asks.
If you are buying on loan, the bank or finance company sends its details so the dealer can record hypothecation (Form 34) on the registration. For a BH-series number, you also need the employer's working certificate in the prescribed form.
A driving licence is not required to register a vehicle, but you need one of the right class (LMV for cars, MCWG for geared two-wheelers) to drive it.
Tip: Check the spelling of your name and your father's or spouse's name on every document. The RC is printed exactly as entered on Vahan.
Aadhaar Card (आधार कार्ड)PAN Card or Form 60 (पैन कार्ड) -
Buy motor insurance (वाहन बीमा खरीदें)
1 dayInsurance must be in place before the vehicle is registered or driven. Third-party cover is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act; for new vehicles it is sold as a long-term policy (three years for cars, five years for two-wheelers). Own-damage cover is optional but strongly recommended, especially if you take a loan.
The dealer will offer a policy, but you may buy from any IRDAI-registered insurer and give the dealer the policy. Compare insured declared value, add-ons such as zero depreciation and roadside assistance, and the claim network.
Tip: Check that the engine and chassis numbers on the policy match the vehicle invoice. A mismatch can cause claim rejection.
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Pay road tax and registration fees (रोड टैक्स और पंजीकरण शुल्क भरें)
1 dayRoad tax and registration charges are collected through Vahan, usually by the dealer as part of the on-road price. Road tax is set by each state; registration and smart-card fees are set under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. A choice or fancy number costs extra and is sold by e-auction in most states.
Ask the dealer for the Vahan fee receipt showing the road tax and fees paid in your name. If you pay the RTO directly, use the online payment option on Parivahan with your application number.
Tip: Make sure the road tax receipt shows the correct state and full tax period. Underpaid tax shows up as a dues block when you later sell or transfer the vehicle.
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Dealer files the registration on Vahan (डीलर वाहन पोर्टल पर आवेदन करता है)
2 daysFor new private vehicles, most states use dealer-point registration: the dealer uploads Form 20 (application for registration), Form 21 (sale certificate), Form 22 (roadworthiness certificate from the manufacturer), the insurance, your KYC and Form 34 if there is a loan, on the Vahan system. In most cases the RTO approves the file without you or the vehicle visiting.
If permanent registration will take time or you are moving the vehicle to another state, the dealer can issue a temporary registration, which is valid for a limited period (usually one month).
Ask the dealer for the Vahan application number and track it on Parivahan under Vahan citizen services, Know your application status.
Tip: Do not drive the vehicle home without at least a temporary registration and valid insurance. Driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence.
- Online
- parivahan.gov.in
Aadhaar Card (आधार कार्ड)PAN Card or Form 60 (पैन कार्ड)Forms 20, 22 and 34 (पंजीकरण फॉर्म) -
Get high security number plates fitted (एचएसआरपी नंबर प्लेट लगवाएँ)
3 daysOnce the registration number is allotted, the dealer fits high security registration plates (HSRP). These are tamper-proof aluminium plates with a chromium hologram and a unique laser-etched code, mandatory on all vehicles sold since April 2019. Four-wheelers also get a third registration mark sticker on the windscreen showing fuel type.
For new vehicles the plates are supplied through the manufacturer and dealer, and their cost is normally included in the on-road price.
Tip: Do not fit decorative or non-standard plates. Vehicles without proper HSRP can be fined, and the laser code links the plate to your vehicle record.
- Where
- Vehicle dealer workshop · Bring the vehicle and the registration number allotment. The dealer fits the HSRP with laser code and the colour-coded third registration sticker for four-wheelers.
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Receive the RC and save it in DigiLocker (आरसी प्राप्त करें)
14 daysAfter approval, the Registration Certificate (RC) is printed as a smart card and sent by post or handed over by the dealer, depending on your state. Time taken varies by state and RTO.
You do not have to wait for the physical card to carry proof: you can add your RC to DigiLocker or the mParivahan app using the registration number, and the digital RC there is legally valid for checks by police and transport officials.
Check the owner name, address, engine and chassis numbers, fuel type and hypothecation details on the RC.
Tip: Report any error on the RC to the dealer or RTO immediately. Corrections are quicker before the file is closed.
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After registration: FASTag, PUC and records (पंजीकरण के बाद)
2 daysA few things to set up after you get your number. Four-wheelers need an active FASTag linked to the registration number to use toll plazas. New vehicles come with a pollution under control (PUC) certificate valid for one year; after that, get a PUC test at an authorised centre and renew it as required.
Keep the invoice, insurance policy, road tax receipt and RC together. If you took a loan, ask the lender for the NOC when you close it and apply on Parivahan to remove hypothecation from the RC.
Tip: Set reminders for insurance renewal and PUC expiry. Driving with expired insurance or PUC attracts heavy fines.
- Activate FASTag linked to your registration number (four-wheelers)
- Save RC and driving licence in DigiLocker or mParivahan
- Note PUC expiry and plan the first test
- Set an insurance renewal reminder
- Store invoice, Form 21, road tax receipt and insurance safely
- After loan closure, apply to remove hypothecation
Driving Licence (ड्राइविंग लाइसेंस)Pollution Under Control certificate - PUC (प्रदूषण प्रमाणपत्र)
Documents you'll need
| Aadhaar Card (आधार कार्ड) | Common identity and address proof for registration. The address you give decides which RTO registers the vehicle. |
|---|---|
| PAN Card or Form 60 (पैन कार्ड) | Dealers ask for PAN for vehicle purchases; buyers without PAN fill Form 60. |
| Driving Licence (ड्राइविंग लाइसेंस) | Not needed to register the vehicle, but you need a valid licence of the right class (LMV or MCWG) to drive it. Can be added to DigiLocker. |
| Forms 20, 22 and 34 (पंजीकरण फॉर्म) | Form 20 is the registration application, Form 22 the roadworthiness certificate from the manufacturer, and Form 34 records a loan. The dealer prepares and uploads them. |
| Pollution Under Control certificate - PUC (प्रदूषण प्रमाणपत्र) | A new vehicle comes with a PUC valid for one year. After that, renew at authorised testing centres and keep it valid at all times. |
Official sources
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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.