Surat Transport and Vehicle Registration Process

Surat is one of the fastest growing cities in Gujarat and in the country. A number of people residing in the city use two-wheelers as their primary mode of transport. It is mandatory for all motorised vehicles, including private vehicles and commercial vehicles, to be registered, as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Read on to know more about the vehicle registration process in Surat.

Why is Vehicle Registration Necessary?

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 specifies that all vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, need to have a valid certificate of registration at all times. Residents of Surat can get their new vehicles registered by visiting the nearest RTO in the city.

Process of Registration for New Two-Wheelers

• Application for Two-Wheeler Registration:

• To apply for a registration certificate for a new two-wheeler, the vehicle buyer will need to submit an application in Form 20. The application will need to mandatorily be submitted on the online portal of the transport department of Gujarat, given that Surat is located in Gujarat.
• Further, the vehicle owner will also need to submit a duly-filled copy of Form 20 along with the required documents to the regional transport office (RTO).

• Documents Required to Apply for the Certificate of Registration for New Two-Wheelers

Vehicle buyers will need to submit the following documents along with a filled copy of Form 22:

• Sale certificate which is in Form 21
• Roadworthiness certificate which is in Form 22
• Applicant’s identity proof along with current photographs of the concerned individual
• Insurance certificate of the vehicle
• Address proof
• For imported vehicles, the bill of entry will have to be submitted
• If the vehicle isn’t a completely built up vehicle, the applicant will also have to submit Form 22 Part 2(A)

• Procedure to Register New Vehicles and Issuance of the Smart Card RC Book

• Vehicle owners will need to register their vehicles at the RTO that is in located in their area of residence or business.
• The concerned individual will need to submit Form 20 online, after which he/she should also submit another copy of Form 20 along with the required documents, registration fee, and proof of the tax amount paid to the RTO.
• In Surat, two-wheelers and cars can be inspected by certain authorised dealers. Thus, if your two-wheeler has already been inspected by an authorised dealer, the certificate for the same will have to be attached with the application form. If the inspection has not been done, the vehicle owner will need to produce the vehicle at the RTO for inspection.
• Once the Registering Authority verifies the information in the application form and the supporting documents, a registration number for the vehicle will be allotted. Unless the vehicle owner is getting a special registration number or a VIP registration number for his/her vehicle by paying the specified fee, the Registering Authority will allocate a registration number at random once the registration process has been completed.
• An SMS or email will be sent to the vehicle owner to inform them about the allocated registration number.
• The RTO will also send the smart RC book of the two-wheeler to the vehicle owner by speed post.

• Fee and Process to Obtain Choice Numbers/Special Registration Numbers:

• Vehicle owners can also get special registration numbers for their vehicles in Surat by paying the prescribed fee for the same.
• To obtain a special registration number, the vehicle owner will need to participate in an auction. Auctions will be held when the RTO office opens a new registration series.
• The remaining registration numbers after a public auction can be obtained as special registration numbers by paying a fee of Rs.1,000 for two-wheelers.

Process to Transfer Ownership of the Vehicle

For transfer of ownership of one’s two-wheeler, the vehicle owner will have to follow the steps mentioned below:

• An application in Form 29 and Form 30 will need to be submitted along with a printout of the chassis number.
• For change of vehicle ownership via inheritance, vehicle owners will need to submit Form 31.
• For change of vehicle ownership as a result of a public auction, the vehicle owner will need to submit the application which is present in Form 32.
• Along with the application form, vehicle owners will also need to submit the vehicle’s insurance certificate, original RC book, PUC certificate, address proof, and identity proof.
• The transfer fee for two-wheelers is Rs.30. The fee will have to be paid while submitting the application and required documents.
• Vehicle owners will also need to pay the required transfer tax.

Process to Cancel or Enter Hypothecation Details

To cancel or enter hypothecation details, you will need to follow the steps mentioned below:

• To enter hypothecation details, vehicle owners will need to submit an application in Form 34 along with a printout of the chassis. To cancel hypothecation details, an application for the same will have to be made in Form 35.
• Vehicle owners will need to pay a fee of Rs.100 to either cancel or enter hypothecation details.
• Along with the application form, vehicle owners will also need to submit the two-wheeler’s insurance certificate, original RC book, and PUC certificate.

Process to Change Address in the RC Book

If you are looking to change the address in the RC book, you will need to follow the steps mentioned below:

• Vehicle owners will need to submit an application form in Form 33 for change of address. In addition, a printout of the chassis should also be attached. If the vehicle is purchased through hypothecation or loan, the vehicle owner will also have to submit a NOC from the financier.
• Vehicle owners will also have to submit the insurance certificate, PUC certificate, original RC book, and address proof along with the application form, with a fee of Rs.20.

Process to Apply for a Duplicate Copy of the RC Book

• To obtain a duplicate copy of the RC book in case the vehicle has been spoiled or lost, the concerned vehicle owner will need to submit an application in Form 26 along with a printout of the chassis.
• Along with the application form, the vehicle owner will also need to submit the police report, PUC certificate, insurance certificate, address proof, and a NOC from the financier if the vehicle was purchased on loan.
• Vehicle owners with two-wheelers will also need to pay a fee of Rs.30.

Process to Obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a Two-Wheeler

• To obtain a NOC for your vehicle, you will need to submit the application in Form 28 along with a printout of the chassis in triplicate.
• You will also need to submit a certificate from the police, original RC book of the vehicle, NOC from the financier, address proof, insurance certificate, and PUC certificate along with the application.

Process to Register Vehicles that are Brought from Other States of India

• To register a two-wheeler that was brought from another state, you will need to submit the application in Form 27 and Form F.T. along with a printout of the chassis, the original RC book of your two-wheeler, NOC in Form 28, the PUC certificate, address proof, and insurance certificate.
• For change of address and ownership, you will need to submit Form 29 and Form 30/33.
• If you have brought your two-wheeler to Surat permanently, you will need to submit the declaration in Form F.T. within 7 days.
• You will also need to get your two-wheeler inspected.

Process to Issue Registration Certificate In Case of Change in Vehicle

• If you have changed your vehicle, you will need to submit the application in Form B.T.I. along with the original RC book, PUC certificate, and insurance certificate of the vehicle.
• Before the change is registered, any pending D.A. cases should be cleared.
• The vehicle owner will also need to pay a fee of Rs.150 and produce the two-wheeler for inspection within a period of 14 days from when the approval is given.

Process to Obtain Inspection and Fitness Certificate for Vehicles

• Procedure to Renew Fitness Certificate of Transport Vehicles

• To renew the fitness certificate of a transport vehicle, the vehicle owner will need to submit an application in Form CPIA along with the current fitness certificate, original RC book, PUC certificate, and insurance certificate.
• The vehicle owner will also need to pay off any dues that he/she might have incurred due to a violation of the guidelines of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• Further, the concerned individual will need to pay the vehicle test fee and a renewal fee of Rs.100.

• Procedure to Obtain a Certificate of Periodic Inspection for Non-Transport Vehicles with a Seating Capacity Equal To or Greater Than 8 Occupants

• The vehicle owner will need to submit an application in Form CFRA along with the vehicle’s existing fitness certificate, RC book, insurance certificate, and the Pollution Under Control certificate.
• Any pending dues will need to be cleared by the vehicle owner.
• The vehicle owner will also need to pay a renewal fee (Rs.100) and the vehicle test fee when making the application.

• Process to Re-Register Non-Transport Vehicles with a Seating Capacity lesser than 8 Occupants

• To re-register a non-transport vehicle, the concerned vehicle owner will need to make an application for the same in Form 25. Along with the application, the vehicle owner will need to submit the vehicle’s insurance certificate, RC book, fitness certificate, and PUC certificate. The required fee will also have to be paid when submitting the application.
• If any D.A. cases are pending against the vehicle, the vehicle owner will need to clear the same before re-registering the vehicle.

• Process for Fitness Test/Inspection Procedure of a Vehicle

• The vehicle will first need to be produced for inspection. If the vehicle is deemed to be mechanically fit and is a new vehicle, it will be given a fitness certificate for a period of two years.
• Old vehicles that are deemed to be mechanically fit will be given a fitness certificate for 1 year.

The Bottom Line

Registering your two-wheeler is a must before you start using it. The transport department of Gujarat and the RTOs in Surat ensure that residents of the city don’t have to face any hassles when registering their vehicles. As a vehicle owner, you should also make sure to always have a two-wheeler insurance policy, given how helpful it can be in reducing the financial implications of an untimely eventuality.