[Spark]

Originally Posted by boniver

I am the primary user of my father's motorcycle and car both of which are registered in his name. I was once pulled over and challaned (in April 2018) for not carrying an authorisation letter from my father allowing me to drive the vehicle. My argument was, my DL has my father's name written on it and that should be enough to prove that we share a blood relation and that a son can drive his father's car. The policeman remarked that it doesn't matter, as even sons steal their parents' things. Mind you, this happened when my mother and sister were present with me in the car. So I got an authorisation letter done on a stamp paper after that, but I haven't been stopped since then. My guess is, police will find something or the other to harass and charge you with. The next time I'm stopped, they'll check all my documents and ask me for another new document and fine me for not having it. It's the way things work here.

Did you not opted for a court hearing and asked for proper explanation from the Magistrate? What does the law say about it?

If indeed police suspected a case of theft, how could they let thief pay spot chalan and scot free?

@navsjab, what an absolutely thorough travelogue.
It could well be converted into an e-book and posted on Amazon, albeit Automotive blogs are where all this thrill belongs.

Pictures, descriptions and your devotion to penning your experience is appreciable.
Mostly after long travels, its hard to find time and motivation to re-visit the strenuous journey but you have done a commendable Job!
See how many more have traveled your journey!

Great Going and I wish you Good.

[dhanushs]

What a trip and a fitting travelogue, man...!! The pictures and the location is just WOW and thanks a TON for taking the effort to compile and post it!

And hats off you both to take this huge trip in the Thar! It's beyond my imagination at this point of time... Damn, I think I need to grow younger!

[SS-Traveller]

Very detailed travelogue, Navtej. Enjoyed reading it at leisure. Every time I read a Spiti travelogue, I am tempted to undertake my own journey immediately. Sadly, that is yet to happen. Someday soon, I'll have my own Spiti travelogue to write down, I hope...

[navsjab]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Fantastic travelogue with lots of details and lovely pictures. 6793 Kilometers is epic. You have moved to South India but that is not stopping you from visits to the Himalayas! The Thar is looking beautiful. Thanks for the travelogue, keep driving and sharing.

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

We had a wonderful time in Deyzor, thanks to Karan and Simba! Too bad that we could not collect the gift from your home this time, will surely get it next time. Will pass on my thanks to Karan....

Just love the Himalayas. Thank you BP. The gift is waiting, no hurry from my side at all, if I think it is too late for you to take it, I shall consume it.

Originally Posted by Samba

First you got Leh'd and now Spitified! You are on a roll.

What a lovely travelogue with some breathtaking pics. Rated 5*...

Thank you Samba.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

@navsjab, that is an epic and inspiring travelogue and your travel over 6700+ KM is like intergalactic, and for your information more than the distance between Delhi to London. So pat yourself on the back

I have a question, the WRV is not 4x4, did it manage well the same climb and even with FWD setup? What I am trying to gauge is if this trip is doable in a RWD Innova.

Thank you haisaikat.

The Thar took all the possible shortcuts since it could and the driver was a little too adventurous. However, the WRV, which was a diesel, did not face much of a challenge. It had an advantage on comfort levels and the main drawback was the ground clearance. At times the WRV could not take a path without the Thar exploring it at first. Also, the WRV took some chances knowing it had the Thar as backup. Most of the touring taxis were Innovas there and I think you can do it without an issue. Just a little careful with the boulders and you are good.

Originally Posted by boniver

@navsjab: Just finished reading the entire travelogue from start to finish. Wonderfully written! That picture with your wife and the Thar at Suicide Point is mesmerising. I've shared that picture with a few friends too, so that we can marvel at it together. Hope you won't mind!
On another note, congratulations on your Thar completing 40k kms while on the trip. Must have been really special!

Thank you boniver. No problem with sharing

Originally Posted by BZ25

Wow! Sir, you're an excellent photographer. I would love to travel to Spiti Valley one day, maybe after my board examinations. Thank you for sharing this beautiful travelogue.

Thank you BZ25

Originally Posted by Sasanka_Sanga

Amazing write-up. I just felt like I've been there by reading your experience and seeing the lovely photos shared.

The Thar does look macho. Keep posting and please don't stop till you explore.

That was my purpose for the details, for the reader to travel through my TL. My purpose seems to be fulfilled. Thank you Sasanka_Sanga.

Originally Posted by Traveler

Simply awesome. It is big achievement that you have been to both Leh as well as Spiti. Hats off to you and your friend for driving all the way. The pictures are wonderful and many are poster material too .

On a separate note, how was the comfort of the Thar on such terrain. Being a soft top did you feel that you would have been better in a closed vehicle. Also how did the WRV fare in such environment. I have a WRV and seeing your friends WRV I am wondering if it can do the Leh / Spiti trip without any issues.

Did it get any scrapes on the underbody and any areas where the WRV just gave up in terms of power or traction.

Would you advise going on the WRV to these areas.

Thank you Traveler.

Thar is not a comfortable vehicle but we have accepted it the way it is and enjoy it, same goes for the soft top. I am pretty sure not everyone will be happy owning it.

You can check the response in this post to haisaikat, about the WRV for details. The WRV was a diesel and thus fared well. Yes, the advantage it had was that it knew it had the Thar as backup. But, if you follow the regular path you should be fine. I would recommend another vehicle along in case you are planning to take the WRV. Hope it is a diesel.

Originally Posted by PapaBravo

Wow. Superb travelogue Navtej!! It is so good that I feel like leaving for Spiti tonight.

It quite evident from your pictures that you guys enjoyed the trip a lot.

The write is gripping, read it in one go.

I salute you to have read it in one go . Thank you PB.

Originally Posted by AJ-got-BHP

Your Travelogues are just getting better by the day and this one IMHO is your Best so far. Rated 5* !! ........

Thank you Arav.

Originally Posted by Magnus Drayne

Please could you tell me what tyres are those on your Thar? Are they A/T? I kinda made a mistake with mine. They are H/T... and heavy. I feel like the Flintstones.

They are the still running the stock HTs. The Flinstones feel could be because of the rear leaf spring or the air pressure. I plan to change to ATs when these get old, but that would be because of traction during offroading.

Originally Posted by deepcdc

Fantastic read. That looks like a well maintained Thar.

The special touch of showing the trip meter ! love it

Thank you deepcdc

Originally Posted by sanloyn

Simply fantastic write-up, by reading this travelogue, it made me travel alongside you.
The Thar was the hero of this entire trip, without doubt, be proud.

Thank you sanloyn. You said it spot-on with the last line

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

This is the first time I am hearing about stamp paper being needed to drive a private car. My car is registered in my company's name and I've never needed any further paperwork to drive it anywhere I want to. Does such a requirement actually exist or did you just hedge yourself to avoid harassment by unscrupulous local cops and taxi mafias?

Originally Posted by boniver

I am the primary user of my father's motorcycle and car both of which are registered in his name. I was once pulled over and challaned (in April 2018) for not carrying an authorisation letter from my father allowing me to drive the vehicle. My argument was, my DL has my father's name written on it and that should be enough to prove that we share a blood relation and that a son can drive his father's car. The policeman remarked that it doesn't matter, as even sons steal their parents' things. Mind you, this happened when my mother and sister were present with me in the car. So I got an authorisation letter done on a stamp paper after that, but I haven't been stopped since then. My guess is, police will find something or the other to harass and charge you with. The next time I'm stopped, they'll check all my documents and ask me for another new document and fine me for not having it. It's the way things work here.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

@navsjab, that is an epic and inspiring travelogue and your travel over 6700+ KM is like intergalactic, and for your information more than the distance between Delhi to London. So pat yourself on the back



I have a question, the WRV is not 4x4, did it manage well the same climb and even with FWD setup? What I am trying to gauge is if this trip is doable in a RWD Innova.



While I cannot deny your claim of finding umpteen options to book you on a ticket, the authorization letter is actually a mandate which is many a time not requested to be produced by the police. I have even read that while visiting outside your registration state a NOC is also required. Now coming back to the letter, here are two reasons where it will be useful.

1. Someone is found driving your vehicle, and is caught with some illegal goods in the back seat of the car. In this situation without a valid authorization (and ideally an handover signature with date and time) from you, the driver can deny ownership of those items and the liability or the harassment may be all yours.
2. The car is involved in an accident and gets seized by police, depending upon whether the person driving the car was doing under your permission or not it will matter how insurance will settle the matter, a stolen vehicle damage liability or 3rd party accident damage or both. You understand what kind of dispute it may be.

Originally Posted by Spark

@navsjab, what an absolutely thorough travelogue.
It could well be converted into an e-book and posted on Amazon, albeit Automotive blogs are where all this thrill belongs.....

Thank you for the appreciation, Spark

Originally Posted by dhanushs

What a trip and a fitting travelogue, man...!! The pictures and the location is just WOW and thanks a TON for taking the effort to compile and post it!

And hats off you both to take this huge trip in the Thar! It's beyond my imagination at this point of time... Damn, I think I need to grow younger!

Haha, thank you dhanushs

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Very detailed travelogue, Navtej. Enjoyed reading it at leisure. Every time I read a Spiti travelogue, I am tempted to undertake my own journey immediately. Sadly, that is yet to happen. Someday soon, I'll have my own Spiti travelogue to write down, I hope...

Thank you SS-Traveller. I am sure you will do it very soon, the motivation should be that you are already half way there. No Kol-Delh or Blr-Delhi needed to be covered.

[navsjab]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

This is the first time I am hearing about stamp paper being needed to drive a private car. My car is registered in my company's name and I've never needed any further paperwork to drive it anywhere I want to. Does such a requirement actually exist or did you just hedge yourself to avoid harassment by unscrupulous local cops and taxi mafias?

Originally Posted by boniver

I am the primary user of my father's motorcycle and car both of which are registered in his name. I was once pulled over and challaned (in April 2018) for not carrying an authorisation letter from my father allowing me to drive the vehicle........

Originally Posted by haisaikat

While I cannot deny your claim of finding umpteen options to book you on a ticket, the authorization letter is actually a mandate which is many a time not requested to be produced by the police. I have even read that while visiting outside your registration state a NOC is also required. Now coming back to the letter, here are two reasons where it will be useful.

1. Someone is found driving your vehicle, and is caught with some illegal goods in the back seat of the car. In this situation without a valid authorization (and ideally an handover signature with date and time) from you, the driver can deny ownership of those items and the liability or the harassment may be all yours.
2. The car is involved in an accident and gets seized by police, depending upon whether the person driving the car was doing under your permission or not it will matter how insurance will settle the matter, a stolen vehicle damage liability or 3rd party accident damage or both. You understand what kind of dispute it may be.

Yes, Shreyans_Jain. The authorization letter is a necessary document and not to void harassment by unscrupulous local cops and taxi mafias. In your case it may not hold good if you are the director of your company. In case the car is being driven by someone else, you will need to authorize him/her as the director of your company. In private owned vehicle the driver needs to be the person on the RC or he/she should authorize the driver accordingly. Quoting an example from my Ladakh trip below:

Life on a long trip becomes a bit boring if not for some events to make the trip interesting. The odd cop can enter the scene to add some relief. This one took one look at us in our Thar and decided we looked like a good catch. With the authority at his command he asked us to park. Though Bhavneet was on the driver's seat he thought it better to go around and talk to me. "Car Papers." , he commanded. I handed him the neatly compiled set. He was a bit disappointed but did not give up. "The driver's licence." He was provided this too. "The car does not belong to her. Does she have an authorisation?" We had travelled with good guidance and were equipped with a notarised authority from my mother in who's name the Thar was registered. His ego had been inflicted with injury. He got ready for the next round. "More than two bags.", he said, "You can be booked for commercial carriage." This is when I took out my telephone and made a random call. I was advised to pay Rs 200 and get it over with. The cops senior who was watching the entire episode from afar and getting regular updates must have smelt a rat. He called our friendly cop back and asked us to proceed. In parting I gave him a friendly piece of advice asking him to better at spotting miscreants. He did not earn the tip he may be looking for and backed off telling us that he was only doing his duty. He was supposed to do a thorough check of randomly selected cars as the Independence day was around the corner and they were trying to anticipate and spot terror.

It pays to have your papers in order when away from home.

@haisaikat. Just read the point regarding the NOC for outside state vehicle and thus wanted to say what I know, the NOC is required from the RTO under which your vehicle is registered and only when you have decided to re-register your vehicle in the state you have moved to.