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Renewing vehicle registration / fitness certificate

I own a Santro car, that has been immaculately maintained ever since I bought it in 2003. Love the car.

While trying to renew the car's insurance, I was told that I would need to renew the vehicle registration (or RC book as its commonly known), since the registration validity is only for 15 years.

So here's what I went through. Hope it helps anyone who want to renew their registration. It's also called the fitness certificate.

1. I went to the RTO website and noted down the requirements, listed here.

2. I first called the RTO (Yelahanka) to find out if this could be done online. They said no, I need to go there in person, along with my car. And that the process takes about 30 minutes.

3. So I went on a Monday morning, and the whole process took about three hours. And it was exasperating!

4. There's always somethings they never tell you upfront. They materialize slowly.

5. First, one needs a 'paper file' to keep all the documents in one place. On the cover of the file, mention your name, phone number and vehicle number.

6. Then you submit this file at the cashier and make the payment. Only cash. I paid about Rs. 2,300

7. Then I was told that I need a photo of me with the car. So, I took one on my mobile, went to a shop close by and took a print out. The car number has to be visible in the photo.

8. Then you have to wait for the inspector to check the fitness of the car. This wait is a while.

9. The inspector checks for basic things like lights, indicators, windows, etc

10. Here comes the second 'new' requirement. On the application form, one needs to pencil imprint the chassis number. I had to find a pencil and skill to do it.

11. Only after this did they accept the file and give me an acknowledgement.

The whole process took 3 hours. No wonder people go to touts to get this done. If the process is set up efficiently, it should not take more than 15 minutes. But hey, this is India, where process inefficiency rules the roost!

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