One of the key aspects of vehicle ownership is that it comes with a few non-negotiable responsibilities attached to it. Aside from driving in a safe and predictable manner, it is also mandated that every vehicle owner be in possession of critical documents like a driving licence, registration certificate, insurance, a PUCC, and even a vehicle fitness certificate.
These documents are mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act, and are legally enforceable. Driving your car without these key documents is a punishable offence, and should be avoided at all costs.
That said, what exactly does a vehicle’s fitness certificate convey? Do new and used cars require them, and how do you check the status of your vehicle’s fitness certificate? In our guide about vehicle fitness certificates, we will run through everything you need to know about vehicle fitness certificates in India, and why it is such an important document to keep handy.
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What is a vehicle fitness certificate?
As the name suggests, a fitness certificate states that the vehicle in question has been declared fit by the RTO to drive on our roads. This means that the RTO has ensured that the vehicle meets safety standards and is less prone to malfunction, broadly speaking.
More specifically, a vehicle’s fitness certificate looks at a few key aspects in order to be deemed road-legal. In no particular order, these aspects include:
1) Safety: the certificate ensures that the vehicle is safe to drive on the road by passing a thorough inspection that checks its mechanical condition.
2) Pollution control: the certificate ensures that the vehicle is compliant with pollution control standards and does not emit dangerous emissions that pollute the environment.
3) Roadworthiness: the certificate verifies that the vehicle is roadworthy and meets the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act.
When it comes to new private vehicles, they come with fitness certificates that are valid for a period of 15 years from the time of registration of the vehicle. Thereafter, the fitness certificate will need to be renewed by the owner every five years in order to comply with the Motor Vehicles Act. In the case of commercial vehicles, fitness certificates are valid for two years for vehicles up to eight years of age. CVs older than eight years must renew their fitness certificates every year thereafter.
However, as per the ruling by the NGT, the fitness and registration of petrol vehicles over 15 years, and diesel vehicles over 10 years of age cannot be renewed in Delhi/NCR.
Importance of a vehicle fitness certificate
A vehicle’s fitness certificate holds as much importance as driving with a valid driver’s licence in India. It is a mandatory document that every vehicle owner must ensure is kept up to date. Failure to do so is a punishable offence. The vehicle fitness certificate is an important document because of the following reasons:
- A fitness certificate conveys that a vehicle can be safely driven on public roads without any harm to other motorists with regards to its mechanical condition. Needless to say, it’s also important to ensure the protection of the passengers in the vehicle in question.
- A fitness certificate also conveys that the vehicle in question is compliant with pollution control standards and does not emit dangerous emissions that pollute the environment.
- Fitness certificates also help keep old vehicles that pollute excessively off our roads. If an old vehicle is spotted without a fitness certificate, local authorities have the right to impound the vehicle in question.
Steps to renew vehicle fitness certificate online
If you need to renew your vehicle’s fitness certificate online, it is a simple and straightforward process. Simply complete the following steps:
Head to the official Parivahan online portal and login with your details.
Go to ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Renewal Of Fitness Certificate’.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number, chassis number and generate an OTP.
- You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and hit ‘Submit’.
- Click on ‘Fitness Inspection+Certificate’ under ‘Service Details’ in the ‘Status’ block on the left. Fill in the details and hit ‘Submit’.
- Click on ‘Insurance Details’ under ‘Service Details’ in the ‘Status’ block on the left. Fill in the details and hit ‘Submit’.
- Click on ‘DMS Upload Docs’ to upload the required documents. Press ‘Select’ and choose the desired file to upload. Press the ‘X’ button on the top-right once this is done.
- Click on ‘Appointment’ under ‘Service Details’ in the ‘Status’ block on the left to book an appointment. Select a date for which a slot is available. Then hit ‘Book Now’.
- Click on ‘Fee Details’ under ‘Service Details’ in the ‘Status’ block on the left. Click on ‘Make Payment’ and ‘Submit’, and proceed to pay the required amount.
- Select your payment gateway and accept the terms and conditions. Click on ‘Continue’ after that.
Once you have successfully completed the payment, visit your RTO along with the original documents and receipt of fee and appointment to get your vehicle’s fitness certificate renewed. If the vehicle is deemed fit for the road after clearing the test and inspection, the RTO will renew your vehicle’s fitness certificate.
Steps to renew vehicle fitness certificate offline
If renewing your vehicle’s fitness certificate online is not an option, then you can also get it done physically. Simply complete the following steps:
- Head to the official Parivahan website and get the fitness certificate renewal forms.
- Fill out the application form and be sure to put down accurate information.
- Submit the application form and documents to the RTO.
- Pay the applicable renewal fees at the cash counter and collect the acknowledgement receipt.
- Visit the RTO with your vehicle on the designated date for inspection.
Once the RTO clears the inspection of your vehicle, you will receive the renewed fitness certificate via post.
Documents required for renewal of fitness certificate
In order to get your fitness certificate renewed, you will need a few documents. Be sure to keep the following documents handy:
- Form 21 (vehicle sale certificate)
- Form 22 (certificate of roadworthiness)
- Road tax payment receipt
- Vehicle insurance policy certificate
- Original registration certificate
- Pollution under control certificate
- Temporary registration certificate (if applicable)
- Identity and address proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID card, passport, etc.)
- Chassis number
- Passport-size photographs
When should you renew a vehicle fitness certificate?
Before understanding when you should renew a vehicle’s fitness certificate, it’s important to understand how long the original fitness certificate lasts for different kinds of vehicles.
When it comes to new private vehicles, they come with fitness certificates that are valid for a period of 15 years from the time of registration of the vehicle. Thereafter, the fitness certificate must be renewed by the owner every five years in order to comply with the Motor Vehicles Act. In the case of commercial vehicles, fitness certificates are valid for two years for vehicles up to eight years of age. CVs older than eight years are required to have their fitness certificates renewed every year thereafter.
Charges for renewing a fitness certificate
The costs associated with renewing a fitness certificate depend on the kind of vehicle in question. There are also some additional fees involved for other aspects involving a fitness certificate.
| Vehicle Type | Fees |
| Two-wheelers | Offline - ₹200; Online - ₹400 |
| Three-wheelers | Offline - ₹400; Online - ₹600 |
| Four-wheelers (including CVs) | Offline - ₹600; Online - ₹1,000 |
| Granting or renewal of fitness charges | ₹200 |
Additional fees include:
- For granting or renewal of authority, the fee is ₹15,000.
- To appeal under Rule 70, the fee is ₹3,000.
- If you have lost the original and need a copy, the fee is ₹7,500.
How to download vehicle fitness certificate
In case you want to download your vehicle’s fitness certificate online, simply follow these steps:
- Head to the official Parivahan website and log in.
- Click on ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Vehicle Related Services’ from the drop-down list.
- Select the state of residence, input your vehicle registration number and click ‘Proceed’.
- Select ‘Download Document’ and click on ‘Print Fitness Certificate’.
- Input the vehicle registration number and application number.
- Click on ‘Verify Details’ and follow the instructions to print/download the vehicle’s fitness certificate.
How long does a vehicle fitness certificate renewal take?
Once you have submitted all the required documents to renew a vehicle’s fitness certificate, how long the process will take thereafter is completely dependent on your RTO’s efficiency and task load.
Is there a penalty for not renewing a vehicle’s fitness certificate?
Given that driving a vehicle in India with a valid fitness certificate is a legal mandate, there is a penalty involved for not renewing it. The fine for driving a vehicle with an expired fitness certificate ranges from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for a first-time offence. The fine can escalate up to ₹10,000 subsequently for a repeated offence.
There is also the possibility of a driver or owner being imprisoned if they are repeatedly caught without a valid fitness certificate. Additionally, there is also a provision in the Motor Vehicles Act to fine a defaulting driver ₹50 per day for the delay in renewing a vehicle’s fitness certificate.
Conclusion
The Motor Vehicles Act makes it abundantly clear that there are certain documents that vehicle owners cannot drive without. A vehicle’s fitness certificate is one such example of those documents.
Ensuring that your car’s fitness certificate is valid is not only a legal mandate, it’s also there to ensure the safety of not just the car’s occupants, but also other motorists. It’s no secret that driving on public roads can be dangerous at times, and ensuring your vehicle’s road-worthiness is crucial to minimise any possible risk of danger to you and other motorists.
FAQs
Q. What if the fitness certificate of the vehicle is expired?
If you are caught with an expired fitness certificate, then you are liable to a ₹10,000 fine, depending on the kind of vehicle.
Q. Can we use a car after 15 years in India?
In most states, a vehicle can be driven even after it has crossed 15 years, as long as the vehicle’s fitness certificate is renewed. However, in Delhi/NCR, you cannot renew the registration of a petrol car over 15 years, and diesel car over 10 years.
Q. What is the process for vehicle fitness certificate renewal after 15 years?
A vehicle’s fitness certificate can be renewed online or offline from your RTO.
Q. What to do if my vehicle fails the fitness certificate test?
If a vehicle fails the fitness test, the RTO inspector will convey the reason for the same. Thereafter, it is up to you to rectify those mistakes from a mechanic. Once that is done, you can re-apply for a fitness certification.
Q. What is the procedure for the inspection of a vehicle for the issuance of a fitness certificate?
The procedure involves a visual inspection, the use of certain devices to gauge the fitness of the mechanical components, and even a customary driving check by the RTO inspector.
Q. What is the validity of a fitness certificate in India?
For private vehicles, fitness certificates last for 15 years from the time of registration of the vehicle. For commercial vehicles, fitness certificates are valid for two years for vehicles up to eight years of age. CVs older than eight years must renew their fitness certificates every year thereafter.
Q. How to check the fitness certificate status online?
You can visit the official Parivahan website and find out the status of your vehicle’s fitness certificate.
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