Punjab's new initiative empowers regional authorities for RC

The Punjab Government has taken a major decision by delegating the powers of registration and renewal of Registration Certificates (RC) and Driving Licenses (DL) to regional authorities to complete the backlog work of RC and DL registration and renewal accumulated over several years and provide big relief to the general public.

While providing further information, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that citizens of the state can avail this relief by following a prescribed process, adding that applicants can now get their old vehicles and driving licenses digitized online and renew the related documents. The lack of approvals for documents related to renewal of old RCs and DLs and their non-digitization had become a major obstacle, he added.

The Cabinet Minister informed that the instructions have been issued to all Registering and Licensing Authorities in Punjab to complete the backlog. He said, documents that do not meet the conditions of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will be processed according to the conditions laid down in the letter issued by the State Transport Commissioner's office on May 24, 2024.

S. Bhullar said that for RC and DL backlog matters, a verified affidavit from the Executive Magistrate will be obtained, which must include entries regarding online digitization through backlog, validity period, category, manual issuing authority, tax payment status, NOC of any dues and accuracy of all information.

The Transport Minister said that when uploading complete information online for RC backlog, it has been made mandatory to upload a physical inspection report with complete details of chassis and engine numbers verified by the Motor Vehicle Inspector for the vehicle bearing the registration number. He said that instructions have been given to upload vehicle transfer records of different individuals during RC backlog processing so that records of previous owners can also be preserved.

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that backlog driving licenses can be applied through the earlier issuing authority and instructions have been given for approval by the licensing authority after the dealing staff uploads authenticated/verified copies of previously and subsequently issued licenses in the Sarathi software to the office records. He stated that during this process, it has been made mandatory to upload the original copy of the license and proof of birth/address.

The Transport Minister said that to complete the backlog work transparently, a permanent departmental employee will register the driving license/RC related backlog entry in the office on behalf of the applicant, verify it on the transport portal and subsequently get it approved by the concerned authority. He clarified that the complete responsibility for any incorrect entry will lie with the concerned registration and licensing authority. He said that the concerned authorities will ensure sending daily reports of RC and DL backlog approvals to the headquarters in the prescribed proforma.