The driver of a motor vehicle also needs to carry are the certificate of registration (RC), The certificate of insurance, driving license and certificate for pollution under check (PUC Certificate).

Driving a vehicle without a registration

Last updated on Apr 8, 2022

It is mandatory to register motor vehicles before driving them1, and after getting your vehicle registered, you will receive a Registration Certificate (RC) (( Section 41, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.)). It is mandatory to carry the original copy or electronic copy of the RC and to display a registration mark on your vehicle2

If you drive or allow a motor vehicle to be driven without registration, you can be punished with a fine between Rs. 2,000 to 5,000 for the first offence, and with jail time of up to 1 year, or a fine between Rs. 5,000 and 10,000, or both, for any subsequent offence3. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

You cannot be fined for not having the Registration Certificate only for the following reasons4:

  • Conveyance of persons suffering from sickness or injuries
  • Transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of medical supplies 

However, you must inform the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of your state within 7 days that you are using a motor vehicle for the two reasons given above, otherwise you can be fined. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

State Frequency of Offence Fine Amount (In INR)
Delhi First offence 2,000 – 5,000
Any subsequent offence 5,000 – 10,000
Karnataka Two/Three-Wheeler 2,000
Light Motor Vehicle

 

3,000
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Others 5,000
  1. Section 39, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. []
  2. Section 139, The Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. []
  3. Section 192(1), The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. []
  4. Section 192, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. []

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 3.7 / 5. Vote count: 14

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Please share your feedback about this post!

Sharing feedback will help us improve our content. Tell us how!

If you want to keep your feedback confidential, please mention it in your feedback. If you have a question, please ask us in the comments or Ask Nyaaya sections.

Comments

Arvind Kumar

September 16, 2022

Help

Nyaaya

September 19, 2022

Hi, how may we help you?

Sk Shahid Ali

September 20, 2024

जी किया फिटनेस सर्टिफिकेट फैल होने पर मोटर वाहन ऑफिसर मेरे वाहन को detente कर सकते है ?

Elijah Maina

August 1, 2023

With out registration motor bike fine

Somya

February 9, 2024

Hi, I have purchased a car on lease in Aug 2023. Due to the non-compliance on the side of leasing company, the registration of car has been on hold since August onwards. I have already paid all the taxes and charges and also have all the proofs. I have also received the number plate.

Is it okay to drive the car or is it illegal to drive without the rc smart card??

Alka Manral

April 30, 2024

In India, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid Registration Certificate (RC) smart card. While you may have paid all taxes and charges and have received the number plate, without the RC smart card, the vehicle is technically not considered legally registered. The RC proves that the vehicle is registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Under Rule 139 of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, it is mandatory to carry an original / electronic copy of the RC and display a registration mark on the vehicle. Non-compliance attracts a fine between Rs. 2,000 to 5,000 for the first offence and with jail time of up to 1 year, or a fine between Rs. 5,000 and 10,000, or both, for any subsequent offence [under Section 192 (1), MVA, 1988].

Given your situation where the registration process has been delayed due to non-compliance on the part of the leasing company, it’s important to follow-up with the company and ensure that they fulfill their obligations by completing the registration process promptly.

Alka Manral

May 21, 2024

In India, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid Registration Certificate (RC) smart card. While you may have paid all taxes and charges and have received the number plate, without the RC smart card, the vehicle is technically not considered legally registered. The RC proves that the vehicle is registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Under Rule 139 of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, it is mandatory to carry an original / electronic copy of the RC and display a registration mark on the vehicle. Non-compliance attracts a fine between Rs. 2,000 to 5,000 for the first offence and with jail time of up to 1 year, or a fine between Rs. 5,000 and 10,000, or both, for any subsequent offence [under Section 192 (1), MVA, 1988]. —

Given your situation where the registration process has been delayed due to non-compliance on the part of the leasing company, it’s important to follow-up with the company and ensure that they fulfill their obligations by completing the registration process promptly.

Dinaz Muncherji

February 16, 2024

I am Chairperson of a Residential society, a resident is parking a four wheeler inside the society premises since last 2 to 3 months and it does not have any registration plate. What action can be taken by the society

Alka Manral

May 21, 2024

The first step to take in this situation is to go through the by-laws of the residential society. Typically, the by-laws have provisions regarding parking and registration within the society. A formal notice can be drafted by the society board, clearly highlighting the violation of rules as an unregistered vehicle. A specific timeline for compliance should be laid down, after which fines and penalties may be imposed according to the society’s by-laws.
It is possible that the 4 wheeler is a second vehicle being parked by the resident, apart from the parking privileges already allowed to them. If so, then they need permission from the Managing Committee of the society and pay a fee for the additional parking space. Such Managing Committees are mandated by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, and must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Venkat sai

August 7, 2024

I took my bike in 2018 and have not registered it till 2024 due my financial situation I have the paper of the bike with me can I register it now and what will be the charges

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Related Resources

Not following Traffic Signals and Signs

Under the law, a traffic light, traffic signal or stoplight is a signalling device positioned on roads to indicate when it is permissible to drive.

Driving a defective/Unsafe Motor Vehicle

You cannot drive, or allow someone to drive, a motor vehicle that has any defect which either you (owner) know about or could have known about through ordinary care, which makes the car dangerous to other persons or vehicles

Dangerous Driving

If you drive a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, or which causes a sense of alarm or distress to the occupants of the car, other road users and persons near the road, it is known as dangerous driving.

Driving a vehicle without a PUC Certificate

It is mandatory for all motor vehicles, except motorcycles of engine capacity less than 70 cc, to have a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC).

Using mobile phones while driving

You cannot use a mobile phone while driving any motor vehicle, as it can pose a danger to the driver and the public.

Driving Without A License

While driving, it is mandatory to keep the physical copy (original, not photocopy) of a valid Driving License with you at all times.