List Of Mandatory Documents Required To Ride A Bike In India 2024

Do you know which documents are obligatory to carry with you while riding your bike? Riding a bike is one of the most cost-effective and convenient methods of travelling. Owning a bike and riding it on the roads is a dream come true for many people in India. However, it is quite common for bikes to be stopped by the traffic police at significant junctions. This is where it becomes important to keep a few documents ready with you while riding your bike. Motor insurance will assist you during events of rule breaking as well as regular checking in the middle of the roads. It is crucial to have a thorough knowledge of which documents the traffic police generally ask for during checking. Carrying these important documents will help you abide by the traffic rules and regulations and reach your destination quickly.  Let’s find out in this article about the documents necessary to keep handy for a smooth ride in India.
 

List of Documents Mandatory While Riding A Bike

Certain documents should be carried at all times before you step out for a bike ride. These documents have also been made mandatory by the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for riding on public roads. Legally, it is necessary to carry the bike documents as they can help in identifying your vehicle on public roads. The mandatory documents for riding any two-wheeler in India are provided below -

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

Now, let’s look at why these documents are necessary to carry with you during your bike ride.

Mandatory Documents To Carry While Riding A Bike

There can be certain situations where the traffic police may stop you to check your bike documents. Thus, it is pivotal for you to keep all the documents at your disposal to prevent any negative repercussions. The below two-wheeler documents have been made compulsory during any bike ride -

• Bike Registration Certificate
  A bike Registration Certificate or RC allows for determining the legitimacy of the bike. The RC contains information like the registration number, details of the owner and make and model. This document should be carried under all circumstances as it confirms that the bike has been registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). 
   
• Two-wheeler Insurance Policy
  The two-wheeler insurance policy has been made mandatory for all bikes in India. The document enforces that the bike has been insured with the mandatory Third Party Two Wheeler Insurance cover. It also checks whether the owner has opted for the Own Damage cover. According to the MV Act 1988, the insurance policy document should be carried at all times. The insurance policy contains information like the registration number of the bike, name of the insurance company, limit of coverage, tenure of policy and the type of coverage.
   
• Driving Licence Of The Rider
  The Driving License or the DL is one of the most important bike documents allowing one to legally ride on the public roads of India. The driving licence is only provided to the rider after they pass the required driving test. It further indicates which type of two-wheeler the rider is allowed to drive, such as with/without gear. The document has been made compulsory by the MV Act 1988. It is a punishable offence when any rider is caught without a DL while riding a bike. Currently, there is an important provision where the rider can carry a digital DL by linking it to governmental apps like the DigiLocker. 
   
• Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
  The Pollution Under Control Certificate or the PUCC contains vital information about the pollution level emitted by your bike. It also indicates the two-wheeler registration number, making it obligatory to ride a bike legally in India. It also certifies that your bike only emits a permissible limit of carbon monoxide as approved by the authorities. This makes it compulsory to carry the bike emission certificate while riding on public roads.
   
•  Bike Fitness Certificate
  All riders should carry a bike fitness certificate where their bike is more than 15 years old. A bike is only fit for riding on public roads for up to 15 years. To continue riding your bike on the public roads of India, make sure to renew the fitness certificate every two years.  

Once you understand the documents required and why they are a must, you should also make yourself aware of the traffic rules that need to be followed in India.
 

Basic Traffic Rules While Needs To Be Followed While Riding In India

Navigating a two-wheeler demands strict adherence to traffic regulations at all times. Given the bustling nature of public roads, teeming with pedestrians and motorists, a comprehensive understanding of fundamental traffic guidelines is indispensable. A few of them are provided below -

• Helmet safety: It is not only important for you but also for your pillion to wear helmets while riding the two-wheeler.
• Mandatory documents: All the bike documents should be carried under all circumstances, like the RC, PUCC, Insurance Policy, Bike Fitness Certificate and Medical Certificate. These documents should also be kept up-to-date to avoid any issues with the traffic police.
• Legal requirements: Ensure not to drive your two-wheeler without a legal DL on the public roads of India. This will help in understanding whether you are complying with each and every element of your driver's licence.
• Overloading: It is very important to prevent any overloading of your two-wheeler. This can lead to more risks, overheating and even excessive wearing of the vehicle.
• Priority: Make sure always to clear the way for emergency vehicles like ambulances. 
   

Importance of Two-Wheeler Insurance

In times of mishaps or breakdowns on public roads, the assistance of insurers becomes invaluable. Two-wheeler insurance stands as your ultimate road companion, offering vital support during unforeseen events. It safeguards your financial security and ensures compliance with regulations. When traversing the roads of India, always keep your bike insurance handy—it's as essential as your helmet, guaranteeing your ride's assurance.

Beyond financial protection, bike insurance shields your ride from both natural disasters and human-made calamities, including theft. You needn't rely solely on traditional brokers; numerous user-friendly, modern options exist for insuring your two-wheeler. This ensures you can confidently and comfortably navigate from remote terrains to the plains, knowing your ride is safeguarded every mile of the way.

Wrapping Up!

The protection of your two-wheeler depends upon buying insurance and having all the mandatory bike documents. For a seamless ride experience, you should keep documents like the DL, RC, Insurance Policy, PUCC and Fitness Certificate handy. It is a criminal offence if you do not comply with the road safety rules and regulations.  Thus, it is crucial to stay adept with the road rules and regulations of the public roads and have a safe ride ahead. The bike documents will provide you with the confidence to ride mile after mile. 

FAQs

1. What documents do I need to carry on my bike?
   The documents that you need to carry with you at all times for your bike are given below -
2. • Bike Registration Certificate (RC)
   • Two-wheeler Insurance Policy
   • Driving Licence of the Rider
   • Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
   • Bike Fitness Certificate
      
3. Can a new bike be ridden without the RC?
   No, you cannot ride a new bike without the RC. According to the MV Act 1988, all vehicles should be registered in any public place in India. The owner should carry the RC under all circumstances. The registration mark of the vehicle should be displayed at the front and rear end of the vehicle.
    
4. Can we carry bike documents on mobile?
   The mobile applications DigiLocker and mParivahan can be used as the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has authorised them. Make sure the two-wheeler document list is stored in these applications. You can present it to the traffic officials when necessary.
    
5. Does purchasing a bike in India require a driving license?
   No, you are not required to have a driving licence (DL) while purchasing any two-wheeler in India. However, both bike insurance policies and a valid DL are mandatory while riding the bike on public roads in India.
    
6. What is the minimum age in India for obtaining a two-wheeler learner licence?
   The minimum age for getting a two-wheeler learner license is 16 years under 50cc (parental consent). You should be at least 18 years old to ride light motor vehicles and motorcycles without gears. For riding commercial vehicles, a rider should be at least 20 years old. 
    
7. Is carrying original documents while driving mandatory?
   No, you do not need to carry any physical copy of your two-wheeler documents list. You can keep the digital copies of your DL, RC, PUCC and insurances in the digilocker or mParivahan app on your phone.
    
8. Can I ride another person’s bike in India?
   Yes, you need to possess a valid driving licence to ride another person’s bike on the public roads of India. Moreover, riding on Indian roads requires you to carry all your bike documents for a safe ride.