Is a Downloaded Softcopy of Bike Insurance Valid?

Two-wheelers are the most sought-after vehicles in India. They are easy to manoeuvre in the traffic and are also very affordable. While driving a two-wheeler it is also important to keep certain documents handy. Now, one might find that carrying documents, especially on a bike is very difficult due to a lack of storage space. It may be difficult for one to carry all the documents in their bag as well. To ease this burden, the government has approved the use of digital copies. Read further to understand what documents one must carry and how one can download the softcopy

Documents Required to Ride a Two-Wheeler in India

There are certain mandatory documents that one must carry while riding a bike in India. If a traffic cop stops one for checking the documents, one must have all the necessary documents. If caught without having the mandatory documents, one can be heavily fined or even imprisoned for up to 3 months. Here are the mandatory documents required to ride a bike.

Registration Certificate

This is commonly referred to as RC and it is one of the most important documents that one must carry while riding a two-wheeler. This validates the legitimacy of the bike and shows that the bike is registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The RC contains details such as the bike’s registration number, make and model, details of the owner, etc.

Driving Licence

All drivers must own a DL to drive legally on the roads of our country. After one reaches the legal age of requirement, the applicant must pass a driving test held by the RTO. Once the applicant passes the test and is eligible to drive, the RTO will issue the driving licence. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for all drivers to carry their DL. The DL contains details of the type of two-wheeler that one can ride (gear/without gear) and it is important to stick to the specification mentioned.

Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)

PUCC is a document that contains details regarding the level of pollution that a bike emits and this is required to legally ride a two-wheeler on Indian roads. It certifies that the carbon monoxide emitted from the bike is within the permissible limit approved by the authorities.

Fitness Certificate

All new bikes are fit to ride for 15 years from the time it is bought. Once a bike crosses 15 years, one must acquire a fitness certificate to continue riding the bike. This certificate must be renewed every two years and one must carry this certificate while riding the two-wheeler.

Medical Certificate

Just as important as it is for the bike to be fit to ride, the person driving must also be fit. Those who are above 50 years of age must produce a medical certificate if asked by authorities. This certificate must be issued by a doctor stating that the individual is fit to ride a two-wheeler.

Bike Insurance Policy

As per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, it is mandatory for all vehicles to have at least third-party insurance to legally ride two-wheelers on Indian roads. The insurance policy contains details such as the registration number, details of the insurance policy, details of the car, etc.

Is it Mandatory to Carry a Hard Copy of the Bike Insurance Policy?

As per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, it is mandatory for one to own bike insurance but is not necessary to carry a hard copy of the insurance policy. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) initiated the process to digitise vehicle insurance documents. The IT Act allows one to store documents online and these digitised documents must be treated just like physical documents.

Government-approved apps such as E-Vahan Bima, DigiLocker or mParivahan must be used to store such documents. These apps allow one to store the insurance policy online with ease. One can even scan the QR code that comprises details of the policy when they are stopped by the cops.

How to Download Bike Insurance Using Bike Number?

Visit the official website of the insurance provider
Select the type of policy
Enter the details specified such as name, phone number, policy number, bike number, etc.
Once the phone number is given, a one-time password will be sent to the phone number for verification
Once the verification is complete, one can view, download, or print the bike insurance policy

Benefits of Carrying a Soft Copy of the Bike Insurance

One does not have to worry about carrying all the documents
There is no risk of misplacing or losing documents
Can access documents anytime and anywhere
It is easier to store information online. It facilitates easy verification while presenting documents online to a traffic cop since all one needs to do is, show the QR code
One can take this approach to stop using paper and save trees
One can present all other documents required to carry while riding a two-wheeler with the same method

How to Store Bike Documents Digitally?

After acquiring the softcopies of the insurance policy, it is important to store them in government-approved apps such as mParivahan, DigiLocker or eVahan Bima. Here are the steps to store the documents

Download any one of the apps from PlayStore or AppStore
Sign up with the bike number
Add your Aadhaar number
On the dashboard click on, “Upload”
Choose the bike insurance, RC, DL or the softcopy of any document and upload them
Select the right file type of the document
Click on “Save” and access it anytime, anywhere

While carrying the insurance policy online makes life much easier, one must make sure they have an adequate two-wheeler insurance policy that can provide financial aid in case of any unforeseen circumstances. It is important to review the policy, make upgrades if necessary and renew the policy regularly. Remember that a lapsed policy will not help one avail insurance benefits. Visit Chola MS to know more about insurance for two-wheelers available in the market.