My Vehicle Mate The Ultimate Buddy for Your Vehicle
LL Test
Note: My Vehicle Mate is an independent information guide. We are not affiliated with the Government of India or any official RTO portal. For official services, visit parivahan.gov.in.
Not an official govt site. Visit parivahan.gov.in for official services.

How to Download Your Vehicle RC Online in India

You can download a digital copy of your vehicle's Registration Certificate for free using the Parivahan portal, DigiLocker, or the mParivahan app. The digital RC is legally valid and accepted by traffic police across India.

May 26, 2026
4 min read

Quick Info

Fee

Free (no charges)

You Will Need

Registration number + OTP

Legal Validity

Same as physical RC

Download from the Parivahan Portal

The Parivahan portal lets you download a PDF copy of your RC directly from the central Vahan database. This is the most widely used method.

1

Visit the Parivahan portal

Go to parivahan.gov.in, click "Online Services", then select "Vehicle Related Services".

2

Select your state and log in

Choose your state from the dropdown. Log in with your mobile number and OTP, or register if you are a new user.

3

Go to "RC Print" or "Download Document"

Click on "Download Document" from the menu, then select "RC Print (Form 23)".

4

Enter vehicle details and verify

Type your registration number, chassis number, and engine number. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number for verification.

5

Download the PDF

After OTP verification, your RC will be displayed on screen. Click "Download" or "Print" to save it as a PDF.

Mobile number must be linked. The OTP is sent to the mobile number registered with your vehicle in the Vahan database. If your number has changed, update it first via the "Update Mobile Number" service on the Vahan portal.

Download from DigiLocker

DigiLocker is the government's official digital document wallet. It fetches your RC directly from the Vahan database and stores it in your account for offline access anytime.

1

Open DigiLocker

Download the app from Google Play or App Store, or visit digilocker.gov.in. Sign in with your mobile number (linked to Aadhaar).

2

Search for "Registration Certificate"

Go to "Search Documents" or "Fetch Documents". Choose the Transport / Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issuer, then select "Registration Certificate".

3

Enter your vehicle number

Type your full registration number. If required, enter the chassis number as well.

4

Fetch and save

Click "Get Document". The RC will appear under "Issued Documents" on your home screen. You can download the PDF and save it on your phone for offline access.

Download from mParivahan

The mParivahan app is built specifically for vehicle and DL services. It creates a Virtual RC on your phone that can be shown to traffic police during checks.

1

Install the app

Download "NextGen mParivahan" from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Register with your mobile number and verify via OTP.

2

Add your vehicle

Tap "Add My Vehicle" or go to "RC Search" under Informational Services. Enter your vehicle registration number.

3

View your Virtual RC

The app displays your RC details including owner name, vehicle class, registration dates, and a secure QR code for verification. Save the PDF for offline access.

Digital RC is legally valid. A MoRTH circular confirms that electronic documents shown through DigiLocker or mParivahan are recognised at par with original physical documents for all purposes.

What the Digital RC Shows

The downloaded RC contains the same information as the physical smart card:

Owner and vehicle

Owner name, father's name, address, vehicle make, model, colour, fuel type, and vehicle class.

Registration

Registration number, date of registration, RC expiry date, and issuing RTO details.

Technical details

Engine number, chassis number, seating capacity, unladen weight, and manufacturing year.

Status

Insurance validity, fitness certificate expiry, hypothecation (loan) details, and road tax status.

Common Issues

If you are having trouble downloading your RC, here are the most common causes and fixes:

Issue What to Do
OTP not received Your mobile number may not be linked to the vehicle. Use "Update Mobile Number" on the Vahan portal to link your current number.
"Vehicle not found" Re-check the registration number format (no extra spaces). Older vehicles registered before the digital system may not be in the database. Visit your RTO to request digitisation.
Portal is slow or down Try during non-peak hours (early morning or late evening). Alternatively, use DigiLocker or mParivahan which connect to the same database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I show the digital RC during a traffic check?
Yes. Traffic police across India are required to accept the digital RC shown on DigiLocker or mParivahan. The document includes a QR code that police can scan to verify it against the central database.
Do I need internet to show my digital RC?
No. Once you download and save the PDF on your phone, you can access it offline anytime. The mParivahan app also stores your Virtual RC locally for offline display.
Is the digital RC the same as a duplicate RC?
No. The digital RC is a free download of your existing registration details. A duplicate RC is a replacement physical smart card issued when the original is lost or damaged, which requires a separate application (Form 26) and fee at the RTO.
Can I download the RC for a vehicle I do not own?
You can view basic details of any vehicle on the Vahan portal using the registration number. However, downloading the full RC PDF requires OTP verification sent to the registered owner's mobile number.

Download your RC now

Head to the Parivahan portal or open DigiLocker to download your vehicle RC as a PDF in minutes.

Visit Parivahan Portal RC Renewal Guide