[NavBHP]

I submitted my RC renewal forms at the RTO a month ago, and there's half a month until the registration expires. The fitness test went fine (shown as "Verify: Complete" in the attached screenshot taken from vahan.parivahan.gov.in). There is an "Approve" status shown as "Not started". This is at an RTO in Bangalore.
When I submitted the file, I was given a pink coloured slip which is titled "sweekrithi patra" (acknowledgement slip). It has the RTO seal and scribbled signature of the official who gave it.

Three questions:
1. Temporarily, I have my RC photocopy. But if I don't receive my renewed RC before the expiry date, is it legal to continue using my vehicle?
2. Would a traffic cop or any other authority accept a photocopy of the pink acknowledgement slip as evidence that the RC is under the process of renewal?
3. Is there anything you needed to do when your RC approval was pending like this? Did it help to call up or to visit the RTO and request them to get it processed quickly?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by NavBHP

Three questions:
1. Temporarily, I have my RC photocopy. But if I don't receive my renewed RC before the expiry date, is it legal to continue using my vehicle?
2. Would a traffic cop or any other authority accept a photocopy of the pink acknowledgement slip as evidence that the RC is under the process of renewal?
3. Is there anything you needed to do when your RC approval was pending like this? Did it help to call up or to visit the RTO and request them to get it processed quickly?

1. Technically no, practically yes. If the RC was not renewed by the babus on time (even if you followed multiple times), it's not your fault
2. Yes
3. I don't know how RTO in KA works, but, most jobs here in TN 09, 07, 18, 21, 12, 13, 01 etc works well if the requests are legitimate. Visiting RTO multiple times will help obtaining many excuses that can be passed to the traffic police

If you're very serious on documentation to abide the law, visiting an "agent" helps expedite the process. But visiting an "agent" makes it the law-abiding process an oxymoron.

I've only two thing to say....
1. No matter what, we cannot talk rules to a "determined" traffic police
2. In this country, Gandhi Ji still lives & is THE MOST powerful instrumental in making/breaking any deals

[NavBHP]

Originally Posted by aargee

1. Technically no, practically yes. If the RC was not renewed by the babus on time (even if you followed multiple times), it's not your fault
2. Yes
3. I don't know how RTO in KA works, but, most jobs here in TN 09, 07, 18, 21, 12, 13, 01 etc works well if the requests are legitimate. Visiting RTO multiple times will help obtaining many excuses that can be passed to the traffic police

If you're very serious on documentation to abide the law, visiting an "agent" helps expedite the process. But visiting an "agent" makes it the law-abiding process an oxymoron.

I've only two thing to say....
1. No matter what, we cannot talk rules to a "determined" traffic police
2. In this country, Gandhi Ji still lives & is THE MOST powerful instrumental in making/breaking any deals

Thanks aargee, but it's important to know what the official rules are. I couldn't find anything definitive by Google searching, but I found this. Under chapter IV, it states:
"No person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of a motor
vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven...unless the
vehicle is registered in accordance with this Chapter and the certificate of registration of the vehicle has not been suspended or cancelled...".

Condition for suspension:
According to clause 53, suspension happens if the vehicle is "in such a condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public, or that it fails to comply with the requirements of this Act or of the rules made thereunder" or "has been, or is being, used for hire or reward without a valid permit".

Condition for cancellation:
"If a motor vehicle has been destroyed or has been rendered
permanently incapable of use..." or "the vehicle is in such a condition that it is incapable of being used or its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair" or "motor vehicle has been permanently removed out of India".

My bike does not fall under these categories. The fitness test has been officially completed by the inspector. So I'm considering taking a screenshot of the application pending status, writing a letter to the RTO officer, requesting them to move forward with my application, and getting a photocopy of the letter signed and sealed by them. In the letter I'm also considering writing that the acknowledgement of the letter means that the RTO has no objection if I use the vehicle beyond the RC expiration date.

If anyone knows whether a photocopy of the acknowledgement slip and/or such a signed and sealed letter is sufficient legally to continue using the vehicle, please reply.

[gkveda]

According to my knowledge,

1. your vehicle registration ends only after 15 days. Hence, currently it is legally right to drive the vehicle for 15 more days

2. Application Status says verification complete. This means all verification of documents and car condition is complete. So, next step is, they have to issue the registration certificate. Now, What is the accepted timeline by RTO to issue RC? If it falls before your RC expiry date, then they are responsible to print and deliver it before RC expiry date. If not delivery, at least the system should be updated with the status as "Registered". If it is delayed due to any reason beyond 15 days, it is not your fault. But in my experience, the system will be updated with right status within the committed dates.

Let us assume, the expected date of delivery lies beyond expiry date. In this case, you can not drive the car from the expiry date till new card receipt.

Coming to the clause chapter IV, your vehicle RC is not cancelled or suspended. It is expired and you are applying for renewal. Hence, in my view, this clause is not applicable to your car.

[Poitive]

Hi NavBHP,

While getting a driving license renewed had similar questions. Was told by the helpline, when the DL was held at the printing and post stage, that one could download the digi-locker app and get a digital version of the document, which would be legally valid. It was only verbal communication.

You might want to try that. Likely that the digital document will be available well before a physical one reaches you.

While the police in major metros are likely to be aware of digital versions, it may be a different scenario outside major cities.

PS: A part of the screenshot obscured by the team-bhp watermark.

[anjan_c2007]

If the fitness test for renewal of RC is successfully through the papers usually take time to get processed and for the renewed RC smart card to reach the owner. In Maharashtra they charge a fee payable for speed post too. It is common knowledge that the RTO offices work at their own pace.

You must be having the receipt for payment of fitness fees with you and you say that your motor vehicle has been successfully through the fitness test. Hence, legally the fitness fee payment receipt is a valid document to double up as a temporary RC to be produced before any law enforcement agency. The details of the fitness test can be known through this receipt by the law enforcers. Updation on the VAHAN site too takes time. By all means go ahead with driving your motor vehicle and no one can stop you.

[NavBHP]

@gkveda: Thank you. Do the RTO officials have a fiduciary responsibility to process the RC renewal before the due date? Are there consequences for them not doing it on time?
@Poitive: That's a good idea to refer Digilocker. The DL does not show up, but the RC does.
A lawyer told me that if the RC expires, it is illegal to ride the vehicle. The lawyer also said that I could continue using the vehicle, and that the case could easily be contested if an authority pulls me up. I think it's better not to use the vehicle after the RC expiry date.
Yesterday I went to the RTO, and they opened up their cupboard that contained the bundles of files. They searched two bundles twice, at the place where my file was supposed to be, but couldn't find it. Finally, they found it on another shelf. The cover of the file had the showroom's logo on it. I was surprised, because that's not the file I submitted. But my name was written on it with my handwriting. I realized that this was the 15 year old file that was submitted when the bike was purchased. So somebody in the RTO had taken the trouble in the beginning of October, to find my original file, but then they just left it there un-processed. The officer checked my flle and said that there were no issues with my application, and I could expect the RC to be home delivered in a week's time. She said that the delay was because the higher up's were in a discussion about whether to issue a smartcard or a paper RC (this was even though they charged for a smartcard fee, so this was likely a silly excuse). Checked on Digilocker just now. The expiry date is still the old date, so it looks like they didn't process my file on Saturday.
I should've asked them if it's legal to ride the vehicle beyond the expiry date.
Anyway, for now, the conclusion is to not ride it if the expiry date is crossed, and the new RC is not available at lease on DigiLocker.
If y'all have tips on how to do followups, do share. Personally visiting and calling up the helpline are two ways. But I assume submitting a letter and getting it signed and sealed would be a better way? If they agree to sign and seal it...

[NavBHP]

I have an update. What the official at the RTO said was true. Today's newspaper says that there's indeed a smartcard shortage for RC's and DL's. The private firm that provides the smart cards, says the delay is due to a global chip shortage in the semiconductor industry. Apparently, Delhi and Kerala governments have extended the validity of expired documents till Nov 2021 and Dec 2021, but no news yet for Karnataka. A fine of Rs.5000 is applicable for driving without RC or DL. As of now, an official quoted in the newspaper says that delays are resolved and motorists could expect to have the smartcards in around a month or so.
I just hope an official announcement is made to extend the date till the end of December at least.

[Sran]

Without writing any lengthy reply let me assure you that the submission slip which you were given is more than sufficient to drive your vehicle anywhere. Keep the original slip and photocopy of the RC with you while driving. No need to worry.

[NavBHP]

Originally Posted by Sran

Without writing any lengthy reply let me assure you that the submission slip which you were given is more than sufficient to drive your vehicle anywhere. Keep the original slip and photocopy of the RC with you while driving. No need to worry.

Thanks Sran, but when I approached the RTO to enquire about the RC status, they wanted to see the original acknowledgement slip. My family members also use the bike. If it gets lost when anyone is carrying it around, it's an issue.
I checked the status of the RC process online. It says the RC is printed 5 days ago, but has not yet been dispatched. I guess I'll have to go to the RTO to collect it.

Odd thing is, that even though the renewed RC is printed, it's not yet available on DigiLocker.
I wish these guys would automate and improve the software.

[hackerboy303]

I've had the exact similar case with my father's bike too. The renewal was due in next 2 days and he went to the RTO to get it done a day before expiry date.
1) RC photocopy will work and yes as long as you have paid all road tax and other fees for you renewal you can legally drive your vehicle.
2) The same question my father asked the RTO official too. He said the signed and stamped computer generated acknowledge receipt ( as in case of my RTO BR02) will be more than enough to produce when a traffic cop asks for your documents. Just say the renewal application is in process and you haven't received the new RC yet.
3) There's nothing you can do it expedite the process. Government offices work in a pretty slow manner. In my case the renewal process took almost 3 months and another month for the RC to reach my home via India post. (Till then I used the mParivahan app). My father went to the RTO a month after applying for renewal and they said that there are not enough renewal applications to process. So once there are enough applications to process, they will approve all of them at once. Pretty strange way they work

[NavBHP]

Originally Posted by hackerboy303

I've had the exact similar case with my father's bike too. The renewal was due in next 2 days and he went to the RTO to get it done a day before expiry date.
1) RC photocopy will work and yes as long as you have paid all road tax and other fees for you renewal you can legally drive your vehicle.
2) The same question my father asked the RTO official too. He said the signed and stamped computer generated acknowledge receipt ( as in case of my RTO BR02) will be more than enough to produce when a traffic cop asks for your documents. Just say the renewal application is in process and you haven't received the new RC yet.
3) There's nothing you can do it expedite the process. Government offices work in a pretty slow manner. In my case the renewal process took almost 3 months and another month for the RC to reach my home via India post. (Till then I used the mParivahan app). My father went to the RTO a month after applying for renewal and they said that there are not enough renewal applications to process. So once there are enough applications to process, they will approve all of them at once. Pretty strange way they work

Sorry to hear that. Perhaps the real problem is that these things happen to us individually, and as individuals, our voice is not heard. Luckily for me, the RC fitness certificate update is available on DigiLocker. Though they didn't update the road tax info. At least now it looks like I can use my vehicle, since the DigiLocker doc serves as the equivalent of the actual doc. The acknowledgement and other copies can be carried as a printout. Will have to go to RTO again (with id proof) to see if they would give the RC there itself.