5 Measures Taken by Officials to Reduce Road Accidents

Two-wheelers are the preferred mode of transportation for several thousand riders in India. Not only do they promise a quick and convenient commute, but they help you cut through the traffic so you can get to your destination in time.

However, if you wish to avoid an unpleasant rendezvous with the traffic police, you must abide by the traffic rules and ensure you have all the necessary documents before you hop on your bike. Here is a checklist of all the things you need to ride a two-wheeler on Indian roads legally:

Driving License: A valid driving license issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is mandatory to ride any motor vehicle on Indian roads.

Registration Certificate (RC): You must have a valid Registration Certificate for your two-wheeler, which proves that your vehicle is registered with the RTO.

Insurance for 2-Wheeler: You must have a valid bike insurance policy which at least covers third-party liability. However, for more wholesome protection, it is always advised to invest in a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy. A comprehensive bike insurance policy not only compensates for damages to the third party but also to your vehicle.

Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: The PUC certificate verifies that your two-wheeler meets the emission norms set by the government. As per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the PUC certificate for two-wheelers is valid for six months.

After six months, the two-wheeler needs to undergo another pollution test, and a new PUC certificate needs to be obtained. Failing to carry a valid PUC certificate while riding a two-wheeler can result in a penalty or fine. Therefore, to avoid any legal consequences, riders must take special care to ensure that their PUC certificate is renewed in a timely manner.

Bike Fitness Certificate: A Bike Fitness Certificate certifies the roadworthiness of a motor vehicle. It is issued by the RTO after conducting a thorough inspection of the vehicle and confirms that the two-wheeler complies with the standards set by the government.

These include safety, emissions, and mechanical fitness. All vehicles must obtain a fitness certificate to ensure that they are roadworthy and safe to be driven on public roads.

A new two-wheeler is considered fit for riding for 15 years after which the fitness certificate is required to ride legally on Indian roads. The certificate is valid for 5 years and once it expires, the two-wheeler needs to undergo another inspection to obtain a new fitness certificate.

In addition to the aforementioned, another essential requirement to ride a two-wheeler is to wear a helmet. Every individual above the age of four must wear a helmet when riding a two-wheeler in a public place.

This rule applies to both the driver as well as the pillion rider. To avoid any legal penalties or fines, riders must ensure that they have all the necessary documents and wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler in India.

Now that we have understood what documents are needed to legally ride a two-wheeler in India, let us understand the amendment that enables carrying electronic copies of all vehicle-related documents.

In an effort to promote digitalisation the Indian government has now allowed the carrying of digital copies of all vehicle-related documents in place of physical or hard copies. This decision has enhanced convenience and made it easier for vehicle owners to carry their documents without the risk of losing or damaging them.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification to this effect, allowing drivers to carry digital copies of their Driving License, RC, insurance for 2-wheeler, and PUC Certificate, among other vehicle-related documents. The digital copies can be stored in a DigiLocker or mParivahan app on a smartphone or tablet.

According to the renewed regulations, even in situations where an offence calls for the seizure of any document, no physical document would be demanded for inspection. This is considering the police and transport department officials find the information provided by the driver or vehicle owner has been validated through electronic means. However, it is the responsibility of the rider to ensure that all the digital copies are authentic and verifiable.

Additionally, the vehicle owner must be able to produce the documents in case of a traffic violation or a routine check by law enforcement officials.

Here are some important things to note about the electronic copies of your vehicle-related documents:

• Individuals can now produce their vehicle-related documents such as their driving license, bike insurance policy, etc. in physical or digital form when asked for by the police or another official

• This amendment enables the use of digital platforms to both store and verifies the necessary documents

• To ensure the safe storage of RC, insurance for 2-wheeler, driving licenses, etc. riders are advised to use the DigiLocker or the mParivahan app. Digital copies of the documents do not mean that the individual can show a photograph of the document as the details must be downloaded from a server. Instead, individuals can upload scanned copies of the documents on the app in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format.

• Even in the case of a traffic violation, physical copies are not essential as the relevant department can electronically seize documents using the VAHAN/SARATHI database through the e-challan system.

In the new digital era, riders can now conveniently show digital copies of their vehicle-related documents. However, they must ensure that all the documents are valid and updated to avoid facing any penalties and fines. Additionally, for complete protection on the roads, riders must wear a helmet and invest in a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy.