Form 23A Registration Certificate (RC) Smart Card

What is Form 23A?

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues Form 23A as the smart card version of the vehicle Registration Certificate (RC). It serves as evidence of the vehicle registration in India and is recognised under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The card contains all the vehicle and owner details, such as the registration number, chassis number, engine number, type of vehicle, type of fuel used by the vehicle, and the name and address of the owner. Moreover, the card also has an embedded integrated circuit chip that stores the information in electronic form to facilitate record-keeping and verification processes for transport authorities.

Who Can Apply for Form 23A?

The following people or entities can apply for Form 23A:

• Vehicle owners registering a new vehicle.
• Buyers of second-hand vehicles during transfer of ownership.
• Companies or organisations that register vehicles in their name.
• Vehicle owners replacing an old paper RC with a smart card RC.
• Vehicle owners applying for a duplicate RC if the original registration certificate is lost, damaged, or stolen.

What is the Difference Between the Old RC and New RC?

The difference between the old and new (smart card) certificate of registration is tabulated below:

What Details are Included in Form 23A?

Form 23A or the Registration Certificate (RC) smart card contains the following essential information about the vehicle and its owner:

• Registration number of the vehicle
• Date of registration
• Validity of registration
• Name and address of the vehicle owner
• Vehicle type and class
• Manufacturer and model name
• Engine number and chassis number
• Type of fuel (petrol, diesel, CNG, electric, etc.)
• Colour and body type of the vehicle
• Month and year of manufacture
• Seating capacity and number of cylinders
• Weight of the vehicle (unladen and gross weight)
• Emission norms followed by the vehicle
• Name of the registering authority
• Details of the financer (if the vehicle is under loan)
• Information in digital format in the form of a QR code or embedded chip

How to Apply for Form 23A?

Check out the steps below to apply for Form 23A:

• Step 1: Open the Parivahan Sewa portal.
• Step 2: Move the mouse pointer over the 'Online Services' tab and select 'Vehicle Related Services' from the drop-down options.
• Step 3: On the next page, select your 'State'.
• Step 4: Enter the vehicle registration number or select the concerned RTO.
• Step 5: Select the option for 'Duplicate RC' if replacing a lost or old RC.
• Step 6: Enter the details required and attach the necessary documents.
• Step 7: Pay the prescribed fees by choosing any one of the payment options provided.

Validity of Form 23A

For private vehicles, the validity of a smart card registration certificate (Form 23A) is generally 15 years from the date of first registration of the vehicle. After the initial period of 15 years, it is generally renewed for five years at a time, provided that the fitness and legal requirements are met.

Importance of RTO Form 23A

The importance of RTO Form 23A is as follows:

• Official Proof of Registration: Form 23A confirms that the vehicle is legally registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
• Shows Ownership Details: The smart card clearly displays the name and address of the owner of the vehicle, thus establishing legal ownership.
• Helps Authorities Verify Vehicle Details: Traffic police and transport authorities can easily verify important information related to the vehicle using Form 23A.
• Improves Security and Reduces Fraud: The smart card format of RC in Form 23A makes it difficult to manipulate any data related to the vehicle.

Common Reasons for Form 23A Rejection

Here are some of the common reasons why RTO may reject the issuance of a smart card RC:

• Submission of incorrect or incomplete information in the application form.
• Failure to submit all the necessary documents along with the application.
• Providing vehicle information that does not match the official records.
• Submitting unclear, invalid, or damaged document copies during the process.
• Entering an incorrect engine number or chassis number in the form.