RTO Rules for Imported Vehicles

For the car lovers in India, love for luxury and thrill for speed is on an ace. Big names like Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Bentley, Harley, BMW, Hummer are intensifying their catch on the Indian customer. Owning an imported vehicle is probably still a luxury many can’t afford, but there are a lucky few who can turn this dream into a reality and if you are one of them, Congratulations! In this article, we will discuss the RTO Rules and Regulations as a Guide for Imported Vehicles.

RTO Rules and Regulations

Imported vehicles are considered to be a part of foreign trade, therefore, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Export-Import Policy Department along with Motor Act are all a part of the importation procedure. There are some requirements which as per the RTO office, must be met when importing a vehicle:

• The speedometer of the vehicle has to comply with the measuring units used in India.
• The imported car should be a right-hand drive.
• The photometry of the vehicle should suit ‘Keep Left’ traffic.
• All the formalities of the Motor Act 1988 must be fulfilled.

Let us also understand that there are two categories of Imported Vehicles-New Imported Vehicles and Used Imported Vehicles. Thus, you need to know the Guide for Imported Vehicles.

Though the above-mentioned rules apply to both the categories, there are some guidelines for each:

The RTO Rules and Regulations for New Imported Vehicles

As per the RTO Office, a new imported vehicle has to meet certain criteria:

• The vehicle has neither been manufactured nor assembled in India.
• Before it's importation to India, the vehicle has neither been sold nor leased.
• Prior to importation, the vehicle has not been registered in any other country.

Also, whether it is a dealer or an importer who is importing the vehicle, should have a valid certificate of compliance as ordered by the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), 1989, rule number 126. He should also submit the proof of compliance as per rule 126A, within 6 months of the import.

The RTO Rules and Regulations for Used Imported Vehicles

The RTO Office has laid specific guidelines for used imported vehicles as well:

• The used vehicle must not be more than three years old.
• The vehicle must comply with the provisions laid down by the Motor Vehicle Act,1988.

When importing the vehicle, the importer or the dealer has to submit a certificate that is issued by a testing agency that the used vehicle is being imported into India. The certificate must also state that the vehicle has been tested and complies to the original homologation certificate.

Import Duty
Another factor that makes the imported vehicles so expensive is the Import Duty they attract. Every vehicle is charged as per its category which is based on the vehicle type and the cubic capacity of the engine. On an average, the import duty can be between 100-160% of the CIF Value, which means Cost, Freight and Motor Insurance. In case of used imported vehicles, the charges are based on the value of depreciation. Thus, the Guide for Imported Vehicles comes handy.

Test of Compliance

Every imported vehicle has to go through a compliance test which is as per the EXIM Policy of the Motor Vehicles Act (1988) and Central Motor Vehicle Rules (1989).

The RTO Rules and Regulations for Registration

The imported vehicle has to receive RTO Registration number from the nearest RTO office. For the first 7 days, the vehicle receives a Temporary RTO Registration number, after which the owner has to apply for a permanent RTO number. The RTO online form can be downloaded from the official website.

The Bottom Line

Buying an imported vehicle is not just expensive but also involves a lot of legalities. Thus, if you have the Guide for Imported Vehicles handy, life becomes easier for you. So, if you are planning to buy one it is recommended that you should be aware of all the traffic rules in India so that you can avoid any hassles and problems later. Following all the guidelines of the RTO may seem tedious, but do not be tempted to miss any of the above-mentioned procedures. Once you complete all the legal formalities you be satisfied and can ride your dream vehicle with pride!