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List of Mandatory Documents to Ride a Bike in India

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

Being stopped by the traffic police at important junctions on city or rural roads is common in India. This is to ensure traffic laws are strictly followed by all. Or, if you are planning to go on a long-distance ride, you may have to produce documents for riding on public roads. Read ahead to know about the list of mandatory documents to ride a bike in India.

Contents

Mandatory Documents To Ride a Bike:
Documents To Carry While Riding a Bike:
Basic Traffic Rules While Riding:
- Importance of Two-Wheeler Insurance:
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-Wheeler Documents:

Mandatory Documents To Ride a Bike:

Before you step out on a bike ride, certain important documents must be carried at all times. Whether it is for legal purposes or to identify the vehicle you are riding, bike documents are not just important but mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to ride on public roads. Below is the list of mandatory documents to ride a two-wheeler in India:

Bike Registration Certificate (RC)
Driving Licence of the Rider
Two-wheeler Insurance Policy
Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
Bike Fitness Certificate

Documents To Carry While Riding a Bike:

It is a known fact that whenever you take your bike out for a ride, certain mandatory documents must be carried at all times. Having all two-wheeler documents at your disposal helps you when you are stopped by the traffic police for checking the documents.

Below is the list of two-wheeler documents to carry while riding a bike:

Registration Certificate

Commonly referred to as RC, it is the most important bike document that you need to carry at all times. The RC confirms the legitimacy of the bike, serving as a confirmation that the bike has been registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The document contains the bike’s registration number, make and model, owner details of the vehicle among others.

Driving Licence

A Driving Licence (DL) permits the DL holder to ride a two-wheeler legally on public roads. The document is issued by the RTO after the applicant passes the required driving test. Also, the DL will include the details of the type of two-wheeler you are allowed to ride: With Gear/Without Gear. Ensure you ride a bike as per the specification on your DL.

As per the MV Act, 1988, it is mandatory for the rider to carry his/her DL while riding a two-wheeler. If you are caught riding a bike without a DL, it is a punishable offence. Hence, you need to carry your DL whenever you are riding a two-wheeler. Alternatively, you can link your DL to government apps such as DigiLocker to carry a digital copy of the DL.

Bike Insurance Policy

For a bike, a two-wheeler insurance policy is mandatory while riding on public roads. The document serves as proof that the bike is insured with Third Party Two Wheeler Insurance cover, which is mandatory, and Own Damage cover (if opted for). The insurance policy includes the vehicle’s registration number, the insurance company, type of coverage, tenure of the policy, and limit of coverage. You need to carry the bike’s insurance policy document at all times as mandated by the MV Act 1988.

Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)

Emission certificate is required to ride a bike legally on public roads. The PUCC contains the level of pollution your bike emits and the vehicle registration number. The document certifies that carbon monoxide emitted from your bike is within the permissible limit approved by the authorities. Hence, you need to carry your bike emission certificate whenever you ride your bike on Indian roads.

Fitness Certificate

A new bike is fit to ride on roads until they are 15-years old. After that, you need to get a bike fitness certificate to continue to ride the bike on roads and you need to renew the fitness certificate every two-years thereafter. So, if you are riding a bike which is more than 15-years old, ensure you carry the fitness certificate at all times.

Medical Certificate

For those above the age of 50, they need to produce a Medical Certificate whenever asked by the authorities. The Medical Certificate acts as a disclaimer that you are medically fit to ride a two-wheeler. The certificate should be issued by a doctor certifying that the applicant is medically fit to hold a driving licence to ride a two-wheeler.

Also, read: Guide To Buying A Used Bike Out of State

Basic Traffic Rules While Riding:

While riding on public roads, you are not the only one riding. There are other road users such as car drivers, pedestrians, and other bike riders whom you need to be aware of. Below are some basic traffic rules while riding a bike:

Always wear a helmet and ensure the pillion rider too wears a helmet.
Do not ride without mandatory documents such as DL, RC, Insurance Policy, PUCC and Medical or Fitness Certificate if required.
Always keep to the left on a two-way road.
Slow down at intersections, junctions, road corners, pedestrian crossings, etc.
Maintain lane discipline.
Use hand signals when required.
Use turn indicators to let others know you are taking a left or a right turn.
Ensure the registration number is clearly visible.
Do not use the horn unnecessarily.
Do not overtake an overtaking vehicle.
Use high-beam only on dimly lit roads or highways.
Always give way to pedestrians.
Do not carry more than one pillion rider.
Do not park near a road junction or on a flyover or a bridge or on the footpath.
Do not ride on footpaths.
Follow traffic and road signs diligently.

Importance of Two-Wheeler Insurance:

Apart from being checked by the authorities, if you face any breakdown or an unfortunate mishap, you need the insurer’s help. Ensure you buy a two-wheeler insurance policy to financially safeguard your vehicle from any accidental damages and to cover third-party liabilities.

Bike insurance is one of the mandatory documents that you need to carry while riding a bike. Also, bike insurance provides financial protection against theft, physical damage to the bike in case of natural or manmade calamities. Fortunately, you don’t have to depend on a broker to get your bike insured anymore. New-age insurance companies provide a hassle-free experience of buying insurance for your two-wheeler.

Also, read: Certificate of Insurance in Motor Vehicles Act

Frequently Asked Questions About Two-Wheeler Documents:

Below are some of the queries about bike documents:

Is a driving licence required to buy a bike in India?

While it is not required to hold a driving licence to buy a bike, you require it to ride the bike on Indian roads.

Is it mandatory to carry original documents while driving?

The Government of India has launched DigiLocker or mParivahan mobile apps which store the digital form of vehicle documents such as registration certificate and driving licence. This can be produced when demanded by the authorities; however, if you are found violating traffic rules, you will have to produce the original documents while paying the fine or penalty.

What documents do I need to carry on my bike?

While riding on Indian roads, you are required to carry different types of documents related to you and your vehicle. They are mentioned above.

What is the minimum age for a two-wheeler learner licence in India?

The minimum age for a two-wheeler learner licence is 16 years with the applicant’s parents or guardians consent. And the minimum age to apply for a permanent bike driving licence is 18 years. Additionally, the learner’s licence is for a bike of 50cc and without any gear.

Can I show DigiLocker to the traffic police?

Yes, you can show vehicle and rider documents such as RC and DL through the DigiLocker; however, if you are found violating traffic rules, then you will have to produce original documents.

Can I ride another person’s bike in India?

Yes, you can ride another person’s bike in India as far as you have the driving licence to ride the bike. Also, ensure all the mandatory vehicle documents are carried along while commuting on Indian roads.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet; and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content and before making any insurance-related decisions.

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