4 essential documents you should always carry in your car

There are various regulations car owners should adhere to while driving. One of them is always carrying the essential documents. Any time a police officer asks you to pull over your car for any reason, the first thing they'd like to see is your car documents. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, there are certain essential documents that every car owner should carry while driving on public roads. Not possessing any of these documents is an offence punishable by hefty fines.

But what are these must-have documents? Here is a list of 4 of them-

1. Registration certificate (RC)

The Registration Certificate or RC is an official document proving the vehicle's legal registration. It helps officials verify car ownership and ensure the car is not stolen. The RC book contains details like the owner’s name and address, the vehicle’s registration number, chassis number, etc.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act, car owners should get the RC of their new vehicle within 7 days from the date of purchase by visiting their local RTO (Regional Transport Office).

2. Driving license

Your driving license is the next essential document you should always carry while driving. RTOs issue driving licenses when an individual above the age of 18 years successfully clears a driving test. A valid driving license is a confirmation of being qualified to drive your car.

Not carrying a driving license while driving is a punishable offence. Moreover, the car insurance company can reject the claim if the driver doesn't possess the driving license and the vehicle is involved in a road accident.

3. Pollution under control (PUC) certificate

There are legal standards for the amount of pollutants a vehicle is allowed to emit. The Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate demonstrates your car fulfilling this requirement. When purchasing a new car, the dealer will provide you with a PUC certificate with 1-year validity. After the first year, your car must regularly undergo PUC tests to check the emission levels. The PUC certificates after the initial year generally come with 6-month validity.

4. Car insurance certificate

Third- party car insurance is mandatory by law. Car owners can also purchase comprehensive insurance for protection against Third- party damages and own damages. Whether you purchase a third- party or comprehensive policy, ensure that you always carry the insurance certificate in your car.

Always remember that expired vehicle insurance is as good as not having insurance. So, ensure that you renew your car insurance online or offline before it expires to avoid hefty penalties and remain protected at all times.

No need to carry physical documents

Some documents like the RC and driving license are extremely important. Losing them can cause car owners and drivers a lot of hassles. The government recognizes this and has taken the initiative to make the lives of car owners easier.

You don't have to carry physical documents. Instead, store your documents digitally in the m-Parivahan App or DigiLocker, and they will be considered legal documents if you're asked to furnish the same by the traffic police. However, do note that you have to store your documents on any of the above government-approved applications only for them to be considered legal.

Being a responsible car owner

A four-wheeler is slowly becoming a necessity for most Indian families. If you’ve recently purchased a car, ensure you always carry these essential documents in your vehicle to protect yourself against penalties and other severe consequences.

If your motor insurance policy is nearing expiry, you can choose to renew your car insurance online from our car insurance renewal page. Online renewal helps you to renew your car insurance policy within minutes and instantly receive the insurance certificate to your email address.