Documents Required to Drive a Two-Wheeler in India

Mandatory Documents to Drive a Two-Wheeler in India

The documents that are mandatory for driving a two-wheeler in India are:

1. Registration Certificate
2. Insurance policy
3. Driving license
4. PUC certificate
5. Fitness certificate

In India, it is essential for a two-wheeler owner to obtain all these document as the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988 makes it mandatory for every vehicle owner to have these to be able to drive a motor vehicle on Indian roads.

When you are driving on a public road in India if a uniformed police officer or officers of the Motor Vehicles Department demands to check any of these documents, as per law you are mandated to produce the same. In case of failure to produce the complete set of documents at the time of checking, you will be fined Rs.1,000 for the first offense and Rs.3,000 for the second or subsequent offenses.

Further details of these documents are mentioned below:

According to the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988, a person can't drive a two-wheeler on India roads without these documents:

Documents Required to Drive a Two Wheeler

When it comes to taking your newly purchased two-wheeler on the road, there are a few things one must keep in mind. Before you venture out on the road with your two-wheeler, do ensure that you are wearing a proper driving helmet. Protection must be every rider's first and foremost priority. The second thing which two-wheeler riders must always have on them are the requisite documents without which driving on the road is considered illegal. These documents include:

1. Registration Certificate - The registration certificate, also referred to as RC, is a requirement for operating two-wheelers in India. This official record demonstrates that the car has a registration from the Indian government. It is provided by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and includes the vehicle's identification number, the owner's name and contact information, as well as additional information about the vehicle. It has a 15-year lifespan and is renewable for another five years.
2. Insurance Certificate- For a vehicle, two wheeler insurance certificate is an official document which serves as a verification of insurance for the purchased vehicle and provides all the insurance related information on the vehicle. The certificate will include details such as the name of the insurance provider, policy number, type of coverage, limit of coverage, tenure of the policy coverage period. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, it is compulsory for all vehicles to be covered at least under a third party liability insurance policy.

1. Drivers Licence - A driving licence is an official document provided to an individual by the Regional Transport Authority/Office (RTA/RTO), authorizing the holder to operate various categories of motor vehicles. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, it is compulsory for a person driving a vehicle on a highway r any other public road, to hold a valid driving licence at all times.
2. Emission Test Certificate - Vehicle emissions testing is a required test that determines whether a vehicle's emissions fall below the government-specified limitations. Testing for vehicle emissions is now required in order to prevent the pollution level from growing. You will need to conduct emission testing, which is a service offered by many auto repair shops, to ensure that your vehicle is emitting emissions that are well within the limit set by the government. You will receive an Emission Test Certificate when your vehicle has been tested, confirming that the emissions are within the allowed range. You must present your vehicle's registration certificate in order to have your emissions tested.
3. Certificate of Fitness / Necessary Permits - If you have a vehicle which is being used for the sole purpose of transportation, then you must always have the permits necessary to operate the vehicle, be it within the state or nationally. You must also carry the fitness certificate of your vehicle which is an official document which certifies that the vehicle is fit to be driven in public places.
4. Medical Certificate: When asked by the authorities, anyone over 50 must present a medical certificate. Your medical fitness to operate a two-wheeler is disclaimed by the medical certificate. The doctor's certification that the applicant is physically fit enough to possess a driver's license and operate a two-wheeled vehicle is required.

Basic Traffic Rules to Follow While Driving

Below are a few basic traffic rules that one should follow while driving a two-wheeler in India:

1. A driver's licence, a registration certificate, an insurance policy, a PUC, and, if necessary, a medical or fitness certificate are all required documents.
2. Always wear a helmet, and make sure the passenger does likewise.
3. When required use hand signals.
4. At intersections, junctions, corners of the road, pedestrian crossings, etc., slow down.
5. On a two-way road, stay to the left at all times.
6. To signal to other drivers that you are making a left or right turn, use your turn indicators.
7. Never ride with more than one passenger.
8. Only use high beams on poorly lit highways or roads.
9. On footpaths, do not ride your two-wheeler.
10. Never fail to give way to pedestrians.
11. Avoid passing a vehicle that is overtaking. Make sure you can see the registration number. Do not park on a walkway, a flyover, a bridge or close to a road intersection.

Points to Remember

Two-wheeler owner often have confusion regarding the original or the photocopy of the documents to be produced. Some people also keep with them the coloured Xerox of the driving license which is sometimes rejected by the police officer and a fine is charged for not carrying the original documents. As a matter of fact, you can either produce the documents in the original or attested photocopies of the same. If you carry photocopies of your documents make sure to get them attested by a gazetted officer.

If, while driving, you are stopped by a uniformed police official who demands to check the documents for your vehicle, you are required to present the same as per the law. In case you do not have the complete documents of your vehicle with you at the time of checking, you may attract a heavy penalty or fine.