Last Verified: February 2026 | Next Review: May 2026
Quick Answer: To renew your RC and Vehicle Fitness (FC), apply online via the Vahan Parivahan portal (Form 25) before expiration. Private vehicles require renewal after 15 years, then every 5 years. Commercial vehicles need ATS testing annually after 8 years. Processing takes 7-15 days. 2026 fees start at ₹2,000 for bikes and ₹15,000 for cars older than 20 years.
Who Needs This & What Is It?
A Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) proves your vehicle is mechanically sound and environmentally safe to drive on Indian roads. For private vehicles, FC is bundled with the Registration Certificate (RC) renewal. For commercial vehicles, FC is a separate, recurring requirement.
You need this if:
You own a private vehicle (car/bike) approaching its 15th year of registration.
You own a commercial/transport vehicle whose current FC is expiring.
Eligibility
You can apply for RC/Fitness renewal if you meet these exact criteria:
The vehicle is clear of any pending traffic challans.
You are applying not more than 60 days before the expiry of your current RC/FC.
The vehicle has active third-party or comprehensive motor insurance.
The vehicle holds a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.
Road tax (Green Tax in applicable states) is paid up to date.
Required Documents
Keep these documents scanned and ready for upload, and carry the originals during the physical inspection. Names are exactly as they appear on the Parivahan portal:
Form 25: Application for renewal of certificate of registration (generated online).
Original Registration Certificate (RC): Must be surrendered during the process.
Valid Insurance Certificate: Policy must be active on the date of inspection.
Valid PUC Certificate: Pollution document.
Tax Clearance Certificate: Proof of paid road tax/Green Tax.
Aadhar Card: For mobile OTP authentication and identity proof.
Form 33: Only required if you are also changing the address on the RC.
Chassis & Engine Pencil Print: Taken physically on a blank paper during offline inspection.
Fees & Processing Time
⚠️ UPDATE November 2025: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) implemented massive fee hikes for vehicles older than 20 years to phase out polluting models. Additionally, since October 1, 2024, all commercial vehicles must use Automated Testing Stations (ATS) for fitness tests.
Private Vehicles (Non-Transport) – RC & Fitness Renewal Fees:
Two-Wheelers: ₹300 (RC) + ₹400 (Fitness Test, <15 yrs) | Over 20 Years: ₹2,000
Light Motor Vehicles (Cars): ₹600 (RC) + ₹600 (Fitness Test, <15 yrs) | Over 20 Years: ₹15,000
Smart Card Fee: ₹200 (Standard across most states).
Note: State-specific “Green Tax” (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka) will be added automatically at checkout based on vehicle age.
Commercial Vehicles (Transport) – Automated Fitness Test Fees:
Three-Wheelers: ₹600 (<10 yrs) | Over 20 Years: ₹7,000
Medium Commercial Vehicles: ₹1,000 (<10 yrs) | Over 20 Years: ₹20,000
Heavy Commercial Vehicles: ₹1,000 (<10 yrs) | Over 20 Years: ₹25,000
Processing Time:
Inspection to Approval: 1 to 3 working days.
Smart Card Dispatch: 7 to 15 working days via Speed Post.
Online Process (Step-by-Step)
(This process was last verified on February 2026. Portal UI may change — always confirm at https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in before applying.)
Visit Vahan Portal: Go directly to the official Citizen Services page at https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/.
Enter Details: Type your Vehicle Registration Number in the central box, check the consent box, and click Proceed.
Select Service: On the dashboard, click on Renewal of Registration (for private vehicles) or Apply for Fitness Certificate (for commercial vehicles).
Verify Chassis: Enter the last 5 digits of your vehicle’s Chassis Number and click Verify Details.
Aadhar Authentication: Click on Generate OTP. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhar-linked mobile number to log in.
Review Form 25: The digital Form 25 will appear. Verify your owner details. If your Insurance or PUC details are blank, click the “Update” button to fetch them from the central database.
Pay Fees: Scroll to the bottom and click Payment. You will be redirected to your State Bank of India (SBI) ePay or state-specific treasury gateway. Complete the payment.
Book Appointment: After successful payment, click Book Appointment. Choose your local RTO or an Automated Testing Station (ATS). Select an available green date on the calendar.
Print Documents: Download and print the Fee Receipt and the pre-filled Form 25.
Physical Inspection: Take your vehicle, the printed forms, and original documents to the selected RTO/ATS at the designated time for the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) or automated machine to test the vehicle.
Offline Process
If you cannot use the online portal, you must visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or the Automated Testing Station (ATS) physically.
Where to go: Visit the specific District RTO where your vehicle is currently registered. You cannot renew fitness at an arbitrary RTO.
Steps:
Purchase Form 25 from the RTO inquiry counter or authorized vendors outside.
Fill the form and attach self-attested copies of your RC, Insurance, PUC, and Aadhar.
Clear any pending e-challans at the traffic police counter.
Submit the file at the “Registration Renewal” or “Fitness” window.
Pay the required fees at the Cash Counter and collect the receipt.
Drive your vehicle to the RTO inspection lane. The MVI will verify the chassis/engine numbers and check the vehicle’s physical condition (lights, brakes, emissions, structural integrity).
Hand over your original RC to the inspector.
How to Track Your Application
Always track your application online to ensure it hasn’t been flagged for missing documents.
Path: Go to Vahan Portal -> Click Status in the top menu -> Click Know Your Application Status.
Enter: Type your Application Number (found on your payment receipt) and the captcha code.
Status Meanings:
Pending at MVI: Inspection data hasn’t been uploaded yet.
Pending for Verification/Approval: The RTO clerk or Head is reviewing the MVI’s report.
Smart Card Printing: Your fitness is approved; the card is in the queue to be printed.
Dispatched: Your new RC has been handed over to India Post. An SMS with the tracking ID will be sent.
Common Errors & Fixes
❌ Error: “Insurance details not found / expired” during form filling. ✅ Fix: The portal syncs with the IIB (Insurance Information Bureau). If you just renewed it, wait 48 hours for the database to update, or use the “Update Insurance Details” tab on the Vahan dashboard to manually enter your policy number.
❌ Error: “Mobile Number is not registered with this vehicle.” ✅ Fix: Go back to the Vahan homepage, click “Services,” and select “Update Mobile Number”. Use your Aadhar to link your current number instantly.
❌ Error: “Challan Pending” blocking the application. ✅ Fix: You cannot proceed. Go to the Parivahan eChallan portal (echallan.parivahan.gov.in), clear the fine, wait 2 hours for the receipt to sync, and try applying again.
❌ Error: “Tax Pending” message for private vehicles. ✅ Fix: Some states levy a Green Tax at the 15-year mark. You must select the “Pay Your Tax” service first, clear the Green Tax, and then return to the Renewal service.
❌ Error: No appointment slots available. ✅ Fix: RTO slots usually refresh at 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM depending on the state. For commercial vehicles, switch your selection from RTO to an ATS (Automated Testing Station), which often has higher daily capacities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the renewed RC valid for a private car? Once you renew your private car or bike after 15 years, the new RC and fitness certificate will be valid for exactly 5 years. You must repeat this process every 5 years thereafter.
Is it mandatory to take the vehicle to the RTO? Yes. Physical inspection of the vehicle is strictly mandatory. The inspector must verify the chassis number, engine number, and the mechanical safety of the vehicle before approving the renewal.
Can I drive my vehicle if the RC has expired but I applied for renewal? No. Driving with an expired RC or Fitness Certificate is illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act and carries a fine of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. You must apply before the expiry date.
What happens if my vehicle fails the fitness test? If your vehicle fails the MVI or ATS test, you will be given a list of defects. You must repair the vehicle and apply for a re-test within the timeframe specified by the inspector (usually 7 to 14 days).
Do I need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fitness renewal? No, you do not need an NOC if you are renewing the vehicle in the same RTO where it was originally registered. NOC is only required if you are transferring the vehicle to a different state.
Why is the fee showing ₹15,000 for my old car? As per the November 2025 MoRTH notification, the government hiked fitness test fees significantly. Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) older than 20 years now incur a ₹15,000 fee to discourage the use of highly polluting vehicles.
Official Helplines & Grievance
MoRTH / VAHAN Helpdesk:
0120-4920401(Available 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM)Official Email Support:
helpdesk-vahan@gov.inGrievance Portal: If your application is stuck at the RTO for over 30 days without reason, you can lodge a formal complaint at the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) at
pgportal.gov.in.
Author Bio: Name: Rajesh Kumar | Expertise: RTO Documentation & E-Governance Portals | Experience: 8+ years navigating MoRTH and Parivahan systems. | Verified by: Certified Motor Vehicle Act Consultant.
“Information verified from official sources as of February 2026. Portal interfaces change — always confirm at https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in before applying.”
