Know about app-based document verification for bike riding in India

You are required to carry four compulsory documents when you are riding a private bike in India. These documents are:

1. Driving License: Your license is the proof that you are skilled enough to ride a bike on a public road in India. It is only given to people who are more than 18 years of age and have demonstrated their riding skill to the regional transport officer. A license issued in any state is considered valid across the country.
2. Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration Certificate is issued by the Regional Transport Officer as the proof of ownership of a vehicle. It generally carries vehicle registration number and owner details.
3. Vehicle Insurance:You can purchase bike insurance from any IRDAI authorised insurance company,as per your needs and budget. Ideally, choose two-wheeler insurance that covers both your own vehicle and third parties in case of an accident, theft, or natural or manmade calamity. Remember that third-party liability insurance is legally necessary as well.
4. Pollution Under Control Certificate: This is a document that provesyour vehicle is well maintained and is operating within the pollution specifications laid down by the respective government. Depending upon your state government’s regulations, you should renewthis on a periodic basis. You can get it renewed from an authorised PUC centre, which is generally found at petrol pumps.

Traditionally, you are required to keep the original copies of the above documents issued to you. However, many people end up losing these documents, which can be a major problem. Luckily, the government of India has come up with a digital solution for this. Since most bike owners these days have smartphones and know how to use simple apps, digital versions of these documents can serve as proof too.

App-based document proofs

The government of India has introduced specific mobile apps to make it easier for people to present their bike documents when needed without having to carry the original copies with them all the time. The two apps are namely, mParivahan, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and DigiLocker, which is a central repository of all documents issued by many government authorities.

The DigiLocker app allows you to store your driving license and registration certificates of vehicles issued in your name and linked to your Aadhar card. On the other hand, mParivahan app allows you to store your driving license and registration certificate of the vehicle. This app also carries information about the INSURANCE POLICY FOR BIKES as well as PUCC validity.

Acceptability of app-based documentation 

Traffic police departments across the country will accept your driving license and vehicle registration when presented through either of these apps. Keep in mind that scanned copies or photos of these documents are not accepted. You need to present these documents from within the app where the document is authenticated in real time from government servers.

As far as the pollution certificate and comprehensive or THIRD-PARTY BIKE INSURANCE is concerned, it is best to carry the originals with you.

Advantages of app-based documents

• ●No need to carry originals and risk losing them
• ●Apps are free to use
• ●Digital documents like driving license and registration are accepted across the country

However, it is advisable to keep the originals of your driving license and vehicle registration handy when you are travelling to a different state. The key reason is that in many remote areas, you may not get the coverage of mobile networks or your phone battery may run out. In such scenarios, keeping the original paperwork with you is the best choice!

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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