Vehicle Fitness Certificate – RTO Process, Fees & Validity in India

A Vehicle Fitness Certificate is an official document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to confirm that a vehicle is safe, roadworthy and fit to operate on public roads. Every vehicle in India—private or commercial—must maintain a valid fitness status to comply with the Motor Vehicles Act.

This guide is updated as per the latest Motor Vehicles Act rules followed by RTOs across India.

Why Fitness Certificate Is Mandatory?

A valid fitness certificate ensures that your vehicle meets safety, emission and roadworthiness standards. If a vehicle is found running without an FC, it is considered “unfit,” and penalties may apply. For commercial vehicles, fitness checks are strictly monitored due to continuous road usage.

As per Section 56 of the Motor Vehicles Act, a vehicle without a valid fitness certificate is deemed unfit for road use.

Fitness Certificate Validity

Private Vehicles: Fitness is granted at the time of registration for 15 years, and later renewed every 5 years.
Commercial Vehicles: New vehicles receive fitness for 2 years, and thereafter, renewal is required every year.

Vehicle Type	Validity for New Vehicles	Renewal Frequency
Private Vehicles	15 Years	Every 5 Years
Commercial Vehicles	2 Years	Every 1 Year

Tip: Commercial vehicle owners should renew fitness at least 30 days before expiry to avoid late fees and downtime.

Also Read: How to Find Vehicle Owner Details by Registration Number

Documents Required for Fitness (New Vehicles)

Form 20 (Application)

Sales Certificate (Form 21)

Insurance Certificate

Road Worthiness Certificate (Form 22)

Temporary Registration (if applicable)

Required Fees

These documents are usually submitted by the dealer during first registration.

Required Documents for Fitness Renewal (Commercial Vehicles)

Document	Notes
RC (Registration Certificate)	Mandatory
Previous Fitness Certificate	To check past validity
Permit (Transport Vehicles)	For commercial usage
Road Tax Clearance	Up-to-date tax payment
Valid Insurance	Required
Pollution Certificate	Active PUCC
CNG Safety Report	If CNG fitted
Prescribed Fees	Based on vehicle category

Missing or expired insurance / PUCC is the most common reason for FC rejection.

Also Read: Hyderabad Traffic Challan Check Online

Required Documents for Private Vehicle Fitness Renewal

Below are the essential documents required for renewing the fitness certificate of a private vehicle at your local RTO office:

Form 25 – Application form for fitness renewal.
Original Registration Certificate (RC).
Valid Insurance Certificate.
Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
Road Tax Payment Proof.
Owner Identity Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, DL, etc.).
Address Proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Utility Bill).
Prescribed Fitness Renewal Fees.

The inspection process usually takes 20–40 minutes, depending on RTO workload.

Fitness Certificate Fees (RTO Charges in India)

Below are the standard RTO fitness certificate fees applicable for different vehicle categories across India.

Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV)

₹500

Medium Motor Vehicle (MMV)

₹400

Light Motor Vehicle (LMV)

₹300

Three-Wheelers

₹100

Private Vehicles

Charged with registration/renewal

Included in registration or renewal process.

Note: Fitness certificate fees are prescribed under CMVR rules and may vary slightly by state RTO.

How to Apply for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

Applying for a Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) is mandatory for commercial vehicles, transport vehicles, and older vehicles. Follow these simple, SEO-optimized steps to apply online through the Parivahan portal.

Visit the official Parivahan website: parivahan.gov.in → Online Services → Vehicle Related Services → Select your State/RTO.
Open the Fitness Certificate (FC) section and choose Apply for Fitness Certificate / Renewal.
Enter your Registration Number, Chassis Number (last 5 digits), and verify your vehicle details. Ensure insurance, PUCC, and tax records are valid.
Book an RTO fitness inspection appointment at your nearest RTO. Choose a date and confirm the booking.
Pay the Fitness Certificate fees online using UPI, card, or net banking.
Visit the RTO on the scheduled date for your vehicle’s roadworthiness test (brakes, lights, emission, safety check).
After approval, download the certifiedFitness Certificate (FC) PDF from the Parivahan portal.

In most cases, the Fitness Certificate is issued within 1–3 working days after successful inspection.

How to Download Vehicle Fitness Certificate?

You can easily download your Vehicle Fitness Certificate (FC) online using the official Parivahan portal. Follow these simple steps:

Visit the official Parivahan website: parivahan.gov.in → Online Services → Vehicle Related Services.
Select your State / RTO from the dropdown list.
Click on the Fitness Certificate (FC) section.
Enter your Vehicle Registration Number and Chassis Number (last 5 digits) .
View your Fitness Certificate status on the screen.
Click Download to save your FC as a PDF.

Fitness Certificate for a Car / 4-Wheeler

Two-wheelers and private cars require fitness renewal only after completing 15 years from the registration date.

Visit parivahan.gov.in → Vehicle Related Services → Choose your State/RTO.
Open the Fitness Certificate (FC) service for 4-wheelers.
Enter your Car Registration Number and Chassis Number (last 5 digits).
View the FC status and click Download Fitness Certificate (PDF).

Fitness Certificate for a Bike / 2-Wheeler

Visit parivahan.gov.in or your State RTO portal.
Select the Fitness Certificate (FC) section for 2-wheelers.
Enter your Bike Registration Number and Chassis Number.
Check fitness status and click Download FC PDF.

Fitness Certificate for Commercial Vehicles

Go to parivahan.gov.in → Fitness → Select Commercial / Transport Vehicle.
Enter Registration Number, Chassis Number, and permit details.
Verify FC test results, emission test, and roadworthiness status.
Click Download Fitness Certificate (PDF).

RTO Fitness Inspection Checklist (What Inspectors Check)

RTO inspections follow standardized checklists defined by transport departments.

Tyres – tread, cracks, wear
Brakes – stopping distance, brake fluid, parking brake
Engine Health – leakage, performance, noise
Suspension System – leaf springs, bushings, shock absorbers
Lights & Indicators – headlamps, brake lights, turn signals
Horn & Electrical System
Speedometer & Odometer Condition
Body Condition – doors, windows, underbody, frame
Safety Features – seat belts, emergency exits (buses)
Pollution Levels – smoke meter/gas analyzer
Chassis Number & Engine Number – visibility & correctness
Wipers & Windshield Visibility
Road Test – clutch, transmission, stability

Penalty for Expired Fitness Certificate (FC)

Driving a vehicle without a valid Fitness Certificate is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Vehicles without valid FC may also face insurance claim rejection in case of accidents.

Vehicle Type	Minimum Penalty	Details
Private Vehicles	₹2,000	As per Section 192
Commercial Vehicles	₹5,000+	Under Section 190(2) + state enforcement
Repeat Offence	Higher fines	Can include vehicle seizure/detention

Why is the Penalty Imposed?

Road Safety: An expired Fitness Certificate means the vehicle may not meet required safety standards such as brakes, tyres, and lights.
Pollution Control: FC ensures compliance with emission norms through checks using smoke meters and gas analyzers.
Roadworthiness Check: Ensures that critical components likeengine health, suspension, and brakes are in proper working condition.
Legal Compliance: A valid Fitness Certificate is mandatory for commercial vehicles and strictly monitored by transport departments.

RTO Forms for Fitness Certificate

Not all forms are required for every vehicle. Applicable forms depend on vehicle type and renewal stage.

Form 20

Base details for registration & FC assessment

Form 21

Certificate of vehicle sale (New Vehicle)

Form 22

Manufacturer Roadworthiness Certificate

Form 25

Application for Fitness Certificate Renewal

Form 38

RTO Inspection Report for issuing FC

FAQs

Q1. Is fitness certificate required for private cars?
Yes, after 15 years, private vehicles must renew fitness every 5 years.

Q2. Can I drive without fitness certificate?
No. It is illegal and leads to challans and penalties.

Q3. Who conducts the fitness inspection?
RTO Motor Vehicle Inspectors check all safety and mechanical components.

Q4. How many days before expiry can fitness be renewed?
Fitness renewal can be initiated up to 60 days before expiry.

Q5. Is fitness certificate required for electric vehicles?
Yes, EVs also require fitness certification as per RTO norms.

List of State RTO code List

This website provides RTO office information and guidance based on official government portals. It does not provide personal owner data or real-time challan amounts.