Get Vehicle Fitness Certificate from RTO: Documents, Fees, How to Apply, & Renewal

A vehicle fitness certificate (FC) ensures that a motor vehicle is fit to be driven on roads. As per the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, every vehicle owner must always possess important documents while driving, such as a valid driving licence, car insurance papers, registration certificate, vehicle fitness certificate, and PUCC certificate. This article explains everything about a vehicle fitness certificate, its importance, validity, and how to apply for a fitness certificate for a vehicle.

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What is a Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC)?

A vehicle fitness certificate is a mandatory document issued by the RTO that verifies whether a vehicle can be driven on Indian roads. Obtaining a vehicle fitness certificate involves an inspection that finds technical and mechanical issues, emission-related issues, or any other fault with the workings of a particular car.

Moreover, this certificate helps monitor a car's working condition and emission levels. If the car meets the fitness requirements per the RTO, it is granted a car fitness certificate.

This certificate is issued by the Regional Transport Certificate (RTO) of the city where your car has been registered. It is a mandatory certificate in addition to a car's registration certificate and car insurance policy.

Importance of Vehicle Fitness Certificate for Cars

Obtaining a fitness certificate for your car certifies that it is fit to be driven on the roads of India. Apart from being a mandatory requirement, here is why a valid FC is important for a four-wheeler:

• A vehicle Fitness Certificate is mandatory for every car, especially an 8-seater car. Not having an FC with you can result in heavy traffic fines and vehicle seizure as well.
• In order to keep the emission levels of your car under control, it is essential to get your vehicle checked and monitored by obtaining a car fitness certificate.
• A fitness certificate also states that any old car that does not comply with the emission norms is not allowed to ply on the roads.
• Additionally, it is also the responsibility of a car owner to get his/her car's fitness checked in order to avoid any road accident arising out of an unfit car.
• For an 8-seater car, it is mandatory to own a valid fitness certificate. If you fail to do so or have an expired certificate, your car insurance claim will be rejected by the insurer. Moreover, you will also not get car insurance without a valid FC.

How to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

After the introduction of the online method of Fitness Certificate application, it has become easier than ever to apply for a Fitness certificate via the Government's Parivahan portal. Below, we have mentioned online and offline ways to apply for a car fitness certificate.. Take a look:

How to Get a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Offline?

Here is how you can apply for a vehicle fitness certificate for your car offline:

• Visit the nearest RTO office
• Duly fill and submit application for FC in Form 20 to the concerned authority
• Submit sales certificate in Form 21
• Submit prescribed fees

The car will then be inspected by the Motor Vehicle Inspector for fitness. Once fit, the private car will be issued a fitness certificate, which will be valid for 15 years.

How to Get a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online?

A car owner can also apply for a Fitness certificate online from the Parivahan portal website. Here is a step-by-step process to do so:

• Visit the official Parivahan portal website
• Select 'Vehicle-Related Services' from the Online Services dropdown
• Enter your vehicle registration number
• Select the 'Application for Fitness Certificate' option
• Provide your vehicle's Chassis Number and registered mobile number
• Enter the OTP received and the rest of the details
• Make payment and collect the digital receipt.
• Once you have received the receipt, submit it and other documents to the RTO.
• After inspection, your car will be issued a vehicle fitness certificate.

Documents Required to Obtain a Vehicle Fitness Certificate

In order to obtain a vehicle fitness certificate for your four-wheeler, you will need the following documents:

• Form 20,21
• Form 22 (road-worthiness certificate)
• Road Tax Payment Receipt
• Car insurance policy document
• Original RC
• PUC Certificate
• Temporary registration, if any
• Prescribed fees

You can download these documents from the Parivahan portal or get them from the nearest RTO office.

You May Also Read: How to Get Pollution Under Control Certificate Online?

RTO Fees to Obtain a Vehicle Fitness Certificate

Below is a table stating the prescribed fee payable for obtaining a fresh fitness certificate for cars, bikes and commercial vehicles:

For private vehicles, the fees for obtaining an FC are charged along with registration fees.

How to Download Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

Here is the procedure you can follow to download the vehicle fitness certificate online:

• Visit Parivahan's official website and choose 'Vehicle Related Services' under 'Online Services.'
• Select your state and enter your car's registration number.
• Proceed further and select 'Print Fitness Certificate' under 'Download Document.'
• Input the vehicle registration number & application number, and select 'Verify Details.'
• Follow the on-screen instructions to download your vehicle fitness certificate.

Note: The steps mentioned above may differ by states. In such a case, you can apply for a duplicate copy of your vehicle fitness certificate. Here are the steps:

How to Get a Duplicate Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

You can use the duplicate fitness certificate download option to obtain a copy of your fitness certificate for your vehicle:

• Go to the Parivahan portal, and from the 'Online Services' drop-down menu, click 'Vehicle Related Services.'
• Select your state, enter your vehicle number, and click on 'Duplicate Fitness Certificate.'
• Now, provide your vehicle's registration and chassis numbers, and click 'Verify Details.'
• Fill the online form and make the payment online to download or print the application.
• Upon successful payment, your duplicate FC will be dispatched to your mailing address through post.

How to Check Vehicle Fitness Certificate Status Online?

Here is how to run a car fitness check online:

• Visit the Parivahan portal and login to your user account
• If you don't have an account, register for a new account
• Enter your application number or vehicle registration number
• Enter the captcha and click on submit
• Now, you can view your vehicle fitness certificate details, registration, and car insurance details.

Validity of a Vehicle Fitness Certificate

A vehicle fitness certificate for a new private vehicle is valid for 15 years after which it is required to renew it every 5 years. For a commercial vehicle which is up to 8 years, the fitness certificate is issued for 2 years. For commercial vehicles that are older than 8 years, a vehicle fitness certificate is issued for a year which can be renewed yearly.

How to Renew Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online?

A vehicle owner can do vehicle fitness renewal online after 15 years by following these steps:

• Visit the official Parivahan Sewa website
• From the 'Vehicle-Related Services', select the 'Other Services' option
• Click on the 'Fitness' option
• Select the state name from the dropdown
• Enter the registration number and Proceed
• Select the 'Apply for Fitness Renewal' option
• Enter the chassis number and mobile number
• Enter the One-time Password and verify
• Pay the applicable fees online
• Download the payment receipt
• Visit the RTO office with your car on the date designated for inspection. After the test clearance, your vehicle's Fitness certificate will be renewed for the next 5 years.

How Much is the Fine for an Expired Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

Carrying an expired fitness certificate for a car is illegal as per the Indian motor laws. If caught driving with one, you will have to pay the following fines:

• Driving with an expired fitness certificate can lead to hefty traffic fines which may range from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000.
• For repeated offences, the fine may increase from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000.
• Moreover, in cases of repeated offences, the penalty can go to imprisonment as well.
• In situations where the car fitness certificate has expired, a fine of Rs. 50 is charged per day until renewal.

Wrapping Up!

To sum up, getting a vehicle fitness certificate for your new as well as old car is mandatory and essential in India. In case you are caught without a valid FC, you may have to pay heavy traffic fines. Thus, to avoid any traffic rule violation and save yourself from fines, you can apply for a car fitness certificate online on the Parivahan portal or offline via your nearest RTO.