Kerala auto market hit by RC book printing delays, vehicle sales and loans impacted
Kalpetta: Buying a new or second-hand vehicle in Kerala comes with an unexpected challenge — months-long delays in obtaining Registration Certificates (RC book). This issue is causing major disruptions in the auto market, with both dealers and customers struggling to manage vehicle transactions, loans, and ownership transfers.
The RC book printing process is currently handled by Indian Telephone Industries (ITI). However, the agency has faced a financial crisis due to pending arrears from the government. As a result, frequent halts in the printing process have left customers waiting for months to receive their RC books.
According to NA Jayan, Wayanad District Secretary of the Kerala State Used Vehicle Dealers & Brokers Association (KSUVDBA), the wait time for RC books has now extended to six to eight months. The association estimates that over six lakh RC books remain unprinted across Kerala.
Even though vehicle registrations are updated online within a month of purchase, the printed RC book is essential for processing loans, transferring insurance policies, and other formalities.
Jayan also highlighted the urgent need for a solution to the RC book printing crisis. He pointed out that RC books were previously issued quickly by district RTO centres and suggested reverting to government presses or adopting alternative printing methods to speed up the process.
Jayan also stated that the KSUVDBA had earlier approached the Kerala High Court and brought the issue to the attention of the Transport Minister. This intervention temporarily resumed the printing of RC books, but the process stalled again due to pending payments to the printing agency.
Second-hand vehicle showroom owners, who rely on loans and overdrafts to purchase inventory, are bearing the brunt of these delays. Unsold vehicles in showrooms lead to mounting financial losses. Even when vehicles are sold, the inability to transfer RC books to buyers on time is further slowing down sales.