How to Get a Vehicle Fitness Certificate for Car ?

What is a Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC), and Why is it Important?

The vehicle fitness certificate is a document given to vehicles by the government that the particular vehicle is good for running on the road without polluting the environment. The fitness certificate if the vehicle checks for any malfunctioning, technical fault, emission issues and condition of the vehicle.

 

Pollution has become a rising issue and to control the emission of the increased gasses, vehicles require fitness certificate to indicate that the smoke produced from the vehicle is under control.

 

Another reason for giving a fitness certificate is to monitor the pollution from smoke produced by vehicle emissions.

 

A regular check-up for humans will help keep them updated about the health conditions. Likewise, a fitness certificate for vehicle will help monitor the condition of the vehicle. Additionally, poorly maintained vehicles can lead to increase in accidents. So to avoid such accidents vehicle fitness certificate is made mandatory.

 

How to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate Online & Offline

Vehicle fitness certificate can be availed both online and offline. The steps to follow are listed below.

 

Steps to Apply for a Fitness Certificate Online

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan official website and enter the registration number of the vehicle.

 

Step 2: Click on “online services” and select vehicle-related services.

 

Step 3: After clicking the vehicle-related services, there will be an option to select the state of residence.

 

Step 4: Proceeding the selection, it will lead to a screen where the registration number of vehicle will be asked. Enter your registration number and then click proceed.

 

Step 5: After navigating to the next page, click on “Apply for Fitness Certificate” and then read the information given. After reading, click the proceed button.

 

Step 6: After proceeding, enter the registered mobile number and the vehicle’s chassis number. Then click to generate OTP.

 

Step 7: You will receive an OTP to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and verify your vehicle’s details.

 

Step 8: After checking the details, click the payment button and pay the displayed fees. After paying, note down the application number generated by the system and download the payment receipt.

 

Step 9: Now, visit the RTO with your vehicle along with relevant details and complete the inspection process.

 

Step 10: After inspecting the vehicle, the RTO will issue the inspection certificate. If there is any issue, the RTO will ask to repair the vehicle issue and then proceed to the Fitness Certificate.

 

How to Get a Fitness Certificate Offline?

Some people may prefer to get the fitness certificate offline. Below is the step-by-step process for applying for it offline.

 

Step 1: Visit your nearby RTO office and collect the forms required for the fitness certificate.

 

Step 2: Fill all the required details in the form along with the documents asked.

 

Step 3: After fulfilling all the required details, pay the applicable fees, and a date will be assigned for the inspection.

 

Step 4: Visit the RTO office along with your vehicle on the assigned date, and the inspection will occur. After the process is complete, the Fitness Certificate will be issued.

 

Documents Required to Obtain a Fitness Certificate

A list of documents is required to be submitted while applying for the fitness certificate for the vehicle.

 

• Road Tax payment receipt

• Form 21- Vehicle sale certificate

• Original Registration Certificate of the vehicle (RC)

• Temporary RC

• Insurance certificate

• Pencil imprint of the vehicle chassis number 

• Permit certificate

• ID proof

• Passport size photo

• Address proof

 

Fitness Certificate for a Car

Private car owners need not pay the fitness fee during new vehicle registration. The validity of a private car's fitness certificate is about 15 years from the date of registration. After 15 years, the fitness certificate should be renewed every 5 years.

 

Fitness Certificate for a Two-wheeler

Private two-wheeler owners are exempt from paying the fitness fee for their vehicle during the registration process for a new vehicle.

 

The private new two-wheeler's fitness certificate has a validity of 15 years. After 15 years, it should be renewed every 5 years.

 

Fitness Certificate for Commercial Vehicles

The fitness certificate is important for all vehicles. However, it is necessary for a commercial vehicle as it determines how safe a vehicle is to travel on roads.

 

Commercial vehicles should pay for the fitness fee during registration based on the vehicle class. The validity of the fitness certificate of commercial vehicles that are up to 8 years old should be renewed every 2 years. After 8 years the commercial vehicle should be renewed every year.

 

Fitness Certificate Renewal Process for Vehicles

The steps to apply for the renewal of the fitness certificate are listed below.

 

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan official website.

 

Step 2: Select the “vehicle-related services” from the “online services”.

 

Step 3: Select the state of residence from the drop-down menu.

 

Step 4: Now, the website will ask for the registration number of the vehicle and click proceed.

 

Step 5: After proceeding, there will be an option for renewal. Read all the given information and click proceed.

 

Step 6: The website will ask for the vehicle chassis number and the registered mobile number to generate OTP.

 

Step 7: You will receive the verification code on your mobile number. Input the code to verify the details.

 

Step 8: After proceeding, verify all the details and fill the form with all required details. Finally, click on the payment option.

 

Step 9: Pay the renewal fee and proceed with the payment through your favourable digital payment mode.

 

Step 10: Now, you can download and print the receipt for your reference.

 

On the designated date, you can visit the nearby RTO for inspection. After inspection, your vehicle will receive a renewed fitness certificate.

 

How to Check Your Vehicle Fitness Certificate Status Online?

The steps to check the fitness certificate online are listed below.
 

Sep 1: Visit the official Vahan portal.

 

Step 2: If you are a new user create a new account. If you already have an account, log into your account.

 

Step 3: Enter all the required details like vehicle registration number and the captcha to proceed further.

 

Step 4: The next page will give all the vehicle details, including the fitness certificate.

 

RTO Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) Fees & Fines for Expired FC

There will be a fee imposed for vehicles with an expired fitness certificate (FC) or an invalid or inactive fitness certificate. In case of a first-time offence, the vehicle owner has to pay a fine of ₹2000-5000. In case of a second attempt offence 5000-10,000, and in case of multiple offences, the vehicle owner can face imprisonment.

 

Downloading Your Vehicle Fitness Certificate

Step 1: Login to the Parivahan official website.

 

Step 2: Click on online services, and from the dropdown menu, select the vehicle-related services.

 

Step 3: Now select the residence state and provide your vehicle registration number. After providing all the required documents, click to proceed.

 

Step 4: Select the download document option and click print fitness certificate. The system will ask for your vehicle registration number and application number.

 

Step 5: After furnishing all the required details, verify your details and follow the instructions to download the fitness certificate of the vehicle.

 

How to Get a Duplicate Fitness Certificate?

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan official website.

 

Step 2: Select the vehicle related services option and from the dropdown menu select the online services.

 

Step 3: Now select the state and enter the vehicle registration number.

 

Step 4: After providing all the required details, select the Duplicate Fitness Certificate.

 

Step 5: Now input the chassis number and the vehicle registration number and click verify.

 

Step 6: After verifying all the details, fill out the form and click the payment option.

 

Step 7: After completing the payment, click download/click the application letter.

 

Step 8: Now, the Duplicate FC will be dispatched to the registered address through post.

 

Wrapping Up

Fitness certificate can denote the fitness of the vehicle and the certificate is required for every vehicle ensure that the vehicle is safe to run on roads. Usually a fitness certificate for private vehicle will be valid for 15 years. After the validity the renewal should be done for every 5 years. For commercial vehicle up to 8 years old, the fitness certificate is valid for 2 years. And vehicle aged over 8 years should renew it every year.

 

Obtaining a fitness certificate for your vehicle is easy and can be done online and offline. If you carry an expired fitness certificate or late renew it, you will be fined heftily.

 

A Fitness Certificate is essential for a vehicle, and insurance is also essential and mandatory in India for safety reasons. Shriram General Insurance provides insurance for private and commercial vehicles. Shriram car Insurance provides insurance at affordable premiums, with add-ons that can be customized according to individual needs.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it mandatory for vehicles to get FC in India?

Yes, FC or fitness certificate is mandatory in India for all vehicles. 

 

2. What should I do if my vehicle fails the fitness test?

If your vehicle does not pass the fitness test, the RTO will state the reason for the failure. This will help you rectify the fault in the vehicle, and you can re-apply for the FC.

 

3. Is it okay to drive a car that is 15 years old?

Private vehicles with diesel or petrol engines have an FC for 15 years. After 15 years, you should re-apply for the fitness certificate to legally drive on the road.