Get Your Vehicle Fitness Certificate from RTO

What is a Fitness Certificate of a Vehicle?

An FC or Fitness Certificate of a vehicle is a mandatory document for all motor vehicles in India that is valid for a certain number of years. Post that period, one must renew their vehicle’s FC at their nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Importance of Vehicle Fitness Certificate

Since vehicular pollution is on a rapid rise, the Government of India has made it mandatory for all vehicle owners to hold the FC.

Just as a driver must have a Driving License (DL), Registration Certificate (RC), and third-party bike insurance, all motor vehicle owners must have a Fitness Certificate. To obtain this certificate, the vehicle goes for screening and it is checked for any kind of technical fault, condition of its body, emission issue, etc.

The Fitness Certificate ensures that old vehicles that are the significant contributors to polluting the environment are permitted to ply on the Indian roads. In addition, issuing an FC can save you from paying hefty penalties to the traffic authorities.

How to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online?

With digitalization, you can now apply for your Vehicle Fitness certificate online. After completing the online process, you will have to visit the RTO with the vehicle to get it inspected. Then your vehicle will be issued with a fitness certificate. Below are the steps to apply for FC of a vehicle online-

Step 1. Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa.

Step 2. Click on ‘Vehicle-Related Services’ from the online service section.

Step 3. From the drop-down menu, select the state of residence.

Step 4. On the next page, enter the registration number of your vehicle and click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 5. Click on ‘Apply for Fitness Certificate’ and read the instructions carefully to click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 6. Enter your vehicle’s chassis number and the registered mobile number. At last, click on ‘Generate OTP’.

Step 7. Enter the OTP to view the details of your vehicle. Verify the details and fill out your bike insurance details.

Step 8. Click on the ‘Payment’ button and pay the displayed fees via the available payment modes.

Step 9. Note down the application number generated by the system and download the online payment receipt.

Step 10. Later on, visit the RTO with your vehicle along with the relevant documents and complete the inspection process.

Step 11. If the RTO inspector spots any technical issue or fault on the vehicle then he/she will suggest you get them repaired. Until and unless you get it repaired, you will not get the Fitness Certificate.

How to Apply for a Fitness Certificate Offline?

In case you are not familiar with the online process, you can apply for Vehicle Fitness Certificate offline by following the below steps-

Step 1. Get application forms from your nearest RTO.

Step 2. Fill out the forms and get all the required documents.

Step 3. Visit the RTO and submit the filled application forms along with the supporting documents.

Step 4. Pay the applicable fees at the respective counter in RTO.

Step 5. On the designated date, visit the RTO with your vehicle for inspection and issue your Vehicle Fitness Certificate.

Documents Required to Issue a Fitness Certificate of Your Vehicle

Here is a list of all the forms and documents that you must have to apply for a vehicle fitness certificate-

Vehicle Fitness Certificate Cost

There are different fees for different vehicle types. You can pay while applying for a fitness certificate online. The fee is spent on processing and issuing the certificate. Let us understand the fee structure for issuing an FC-

Below are some other fees-

1. For granting or renewal of authority, the fee is ₹ 15000.
2. In case you want to appeal under rule 70, the fee is ₹ 3000.
3. In case you lost the original certificate and want a new copy, the fee is ₹ 7500.

How to Renew Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online?

The fitness certificate comes with an expiry date. You should start the process of renewing the policy a few days before the expiry date. Otherwise, you might have to hassle at the last minute as the process takes time.

The owner can either download the form online or go to the RTO for the offline process. Here are the steps to renew the FC of vehicles online-

Step 1. Visit the official website of Parivahan Seva.

Step 2. Then select ‘Vehicle-Related Services’ from the list of available ‘Online Services’.

Step 3. From the drop-down list, choose your state of residence.

Step 4. Enter your vehicle registration number and then click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 5. Click on ‘Apply for Fitness Renewal’ and read the given instructions carefully before clicking on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 6. Enter your vehicle chassis number & registered mobile number and click on ‘Generate OTP’.

Step 7. Enter the verification code sent on your registered mobile no. and click on ‘Verify Details’.

Step 8. Verify the details once, then fill the form with asked information, and lastly, click on ‘Payment’.

Step 9. Pay the applicable fees online through any of your favorable digital payment modes.

Step 10. Lastly, download and print the acknowledged receipt for reference.

For inspection, you can visit the RTO with your vehicle on a designated date and submit your online application. After the fitness test clearance, you can issue the renewed Fitness Certificate for your vehicle.

If you wish to renew the vehicle FC offline, you will have to take these documents with you when visiting the RTO-

• RC of vehicle
• Insurance policy of Vehicle
• Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
• Tax Token
• Permit of vehicle

You may also read- How to Get Duplicate RC Online & Offline?

How to Get a Duplicate Fitness Certificate?

All motor vehicle owners can download the duplicate copy of the fitness certificate from Parivahan’s website by following the below steps-

Step 1. Log in to Parivahan’s official website.

Step 2. Click on ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Vehicle-Related Services’ from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Choose your state of residence, enter your vehicle registration no. and click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 4. Select the ‘Duplicate Fitness Certificate’ button.

Step 5. Enter the registration & chassis number of your vehicle and click on the ‘Payment’ button.

Step 6. Once the payment is completed online, download/print the application letter.

Step 7. You will receive the duplicate FC will be delivered to your residential address via post.

Fine for Carrying an Expired Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC)

In India, driving your motor vehicle, including any type of two-wheeler without an inactive or invalid Fitness Certificate (FC) is an offense and you might end up paying hefty penalties-

• For first-time offense- ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 5,000
• For second offence- ₹ 5,000 - ₹ 10,000
• Multiple offenses- the driver or owner can also face imprisonment

Validity of Fitness Certificate in India

The FC is valid for 15 years for all the new private vehicles in India. After the completion of 15 years, the FC must be renewed after every 5 years. However, the Fitness Certificate is valid for 2 years for commercial vehicles up to 8 years old. Commercial vehicles older than 8 years must have to renew their Fitness Certificate every year.

Conclusion

To have a safe and easy drive, a motor vehicle owner should get a Fitness Certificate issued from the RTO. You can also obtain a Fitness Certificate for vehicles older than 15 years by visiting Parivahan Portal or by physically visiting the nearest RTO.