RTO Vehicle Fitness Certificate Guide - How to Apply Online

A Fitness Certificate is issued for commercial vehicles that deems it to be road worthy. A mandatory document, the fitness certificate is issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) after a thorough inspection process of a vehicle that screens it for technical issues, mechanical faults, emission compliance and the overall condition.

Why is it necessary?

Commercial vehicles are the lifeline of the country, and millions of livelihoods depend upon the trade and transportation that happens through them. But given how a badly maintained commercial vehicle can be a safety hazard for the rest of the traffic and/or cause major damage to the environment, the RTO brought in the concept of a Fitness Certificate as a part of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1989.

How does it help?

The inspections that the vehicle undergoes before it is granted a fitness certificate identifies any issues that can later pose a problem like frequent breakdowns. A vehicle that has been awarded the Fitness Certificate is deemed fit to ply on Indian roads. It means that the emissions of the vehicle are within permissible limits and isn't causing major damage to the environment; and it is in a technically sound shape and the chances of it posing a safety hazard for the people on the road due to mechanical faults is significantly low.

How often does the inspection happen?

The Fitness Certificate that you get when you buy a new commercial vehicle is valid for two years. Post that, the certificate has to be renewed every year.

What is the process?

Until recently, it was possible to get a Fitness Certificate only by personally visiting the nearest RTO. Now though, the process has now been digitised and can be partially completed online. However, the inspection continues to be a physical process, for which the applicant has to bring the vehicle to the nearest RTO.

Here are the steps that you need to follow for the online process -

1. Visit ‘Vahan Citizen Services' (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/ui/statevalidation/homepage.xhtml) and enter the registration number, state and RTO name.
2. Select ‘Apply for Fitness Certificate'
3. Enter the last 5 digits of your vehicle's chassis number and click on ‘Verify Details'
4. Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number
5. Once the verification is complete, proceed to fill all the essential details of the vehicles
6. Confirm the fee and then proceed to make the payment
7. The receipt for the fee with the application letter will be generated. Visit the RTO with your vehicle and these documents, for an inspection.

How much does it cost?

Rs 600 for a commercial vehicle with a manual transmission, or Rs 1000 for an automatic.

Which documents are needed?

1. Fee receipt and a copy of your application.
2. Form 20
3. Form 22
4. Form 21
5. Original registration certificate
6. Road tax receipt
7. Insurance
8. Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
9. A chassis imprint taken on a slip of paper with pencil
10. Address proof
11. Permit certificate
12. ID proof
13. Passport-size photographs

What all is inspected?

1. The condition of tyres. Fitment of bald tyres is rejected.
2. Wind screen needs to be in good condition, without any sort of cracks.
3. Reflective tapes and reflectors must be affixed at specified places as per commercial vehicles' regulations.
4. The vehicle must comply with emission norms.
5. Headlight, stop light, turn indicators and other necessary lights need to be in working condition.
6. There should not be any water in headlights.
7. Low beam and high beam function of headlight should be in working condition
8. Both rear view mirrors should not have any cracks on them, and should be fitted properly.
9. Wipers should not be broken or loose.
10. Horn should be functional and their sound decibel levels need to comply with norms.
11. Speedometer should be in working condition.
12. Vehicle should be fitted with speed governor and have a valid calibration certificate.

The RTO Examiner will approve the date and time with the location for your vehicle fitness test.

What happens if the vehicle fails a test?

If the examiner finds some faults or a case of non-compliance, he or she might instruct specific repair work to be performed before the Fitness Certificate is provided. A different date and time for the physical examination of the vehicle after completion of the repair is allotted.

If the vehicle is inspected and approved prior to the expiry date stated in the certificate, you would not be charged the restoration fee. But, if the motor vehicle is brought in for a review later, a new vehicle fitness certificate fee would be required and a fresh Fitness Certificate would be issued.

What about private vehicles?

A similar concept exists for private vehicles too, although it is called ‘Roadworthiness Certificate' .The roadworthiness of a private vehicle is valid for 15 years after its registration, after which it has to be renewed once in 5 years.