[Samurai]

Originally Posted by the.city

I see these traffic cops in Chennai who would not agree with any kind of copy. They want originals all the time. It's obviously unsafe to do that. Any Chennai folks here who had experience with traffic cops? Were they okay with a photocopy (attested or non-attested whichever)?

Well, they are not following the law then.

Keep a copy of motor vehicle act 1988 in your car. Mark the page 157, rule no.130 Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration

It is here: http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/mvact1988.pdf

Here is the best part: if any or all of the certificates or the permit are not in his possession, he shall, within fifteen days from the date of demand, submit photo copies of the same, duly attested in person or send the same by registered post the officer who demanded it.

Or you can carry the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989: http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/cmvr1989.pdf

Page 166, rule 139. Production of licence and certificate of registration.—The driver or
conductor of a motor vehicle shall produce certificate of registration, insurance, fitness
and permit, the driving licence and any other relevant documents on demand by any
police officer in uniform or any other officer authorized by the State Government in this
behalf, and if any or all of the documents are not in his possession, he shall produce in
person an extract or extracts of the documents duly attested by any police officer or by
any other officer or send it to the officer who demanded the documents by registered
post within 15 days from the date of demand.

[the.city]

I really appreciate your response here. Rules are there, but please try and understand that this is India. The traffic cop couldn't care less about the law. That is the unfortunate reality. They will not let the vehicle go unless they see originals. (Moreover, as a non-Tamil speaking person, I don't expect to make any headway in an argument with a traffic cop in Chennai. That's the biggest factor here.)

Which is why I've asked the question... what do generally people do? Knowing that the cop will not agree for photocopy, do people just carry originals or simply carry some extra cash

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by the.city

Bumping an old thread again ....

Do you guys actually do what's suggested above? Do you actually carry attested photocopies?

I see these traffic cops in Chennai who would not agree with any kind of copy. They want originals all the time. It's obviously unsafe to do that. Any Chennai folks here who had experience with traffic cops? Were they okay with a photocopy (attested or non-attested whichever)?

Really? And are those morons sure they can read the documents in the first place? Mumbai cops too require that original documents be produced namely Licence, RC book/card, insurance cover note and PUC.

[Ragul]

Regarding Credit Card type RC book now what to do? Can I carry photo copy of the card front and back? In any case outside Bangalore, the cops are stumped as they dont carry the card reader.

--R

[swiftnfurious]

I usually carry attested copies of RC book, License etc! Last time I got pulled over at Sullia, Karnataka and the MVI was OK with the attested copies. I got fined for NOT having the pollution certificate though! Also the guy fined those with non-attested xerox copies.

[Samurai]

Attested by who? I carry notarised copies of my RC. I have never carried original copies of RC in my car, even while going out of state.

[Chris_Xtreme]

Originally Posted by the.city

Bumping an old thread again ....

Do you guys actually do what's suggested above? Do you actually carry attested photocopies?

I see these traffic cops in Chennai who would not agree with any kind of copy. They want originals all the time. It's obviously unsafe to do that. Any Chennai folks here who had experience with traffic cops? Were they okay with a photocopy (attested or non-attested whichever)?

In chennai normally cops do not insist on originals. Almost whenever a car or a bike is stopped by a cop, the documents insisted are 1. Driving Licence (a laminated colour photo copy)2. Insurance copy 3. RC copy.
The only thing we need to ensure is that all the details are completely visible / readable in the photocopies.

[the.city]

@Chris .. Your experience is widely different from mine.

@Samurai .. Notarized copy seems like a good idea. Let me check how I can do that here.. Thanks for that idea.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Attested by who? I carry notarised copies of my RC. I have never carried original copies of RC in my car, even while going out of state.

Attested by a gazetted officer ! Probably it means the same as notarized copy, not sure though!

[apachelongbow]

Regarding interstate travel its always wiser to carry all your originals along. As is you would be travelling with some kind of luggage, so packing in the originals in hand luggage along with original licence seems the best idea.

I always carry all my documents (original) along with my licence in a specially designed pouch/folder. I always keep this in my backpack. Yes the disadvantage is that I am always carrying a bag when I am out driving, but this is minor inconvinience compared to harrassment by cops

[thoma]

Bumping this thread again, to check how many of you carry originals in Kerala and what is your recent experience, if any, with the police in Kerala.

This is what the MVDKerala have to say though.

32. Production of documents
A person driving a vehicle...
(i) shall always carry with him his driving licence; certificate of registration; certificate of taxation and certificate of insurance of the vehicle and in case of transport vehicle the permit and fitness certificate, also,
(ii) shall on demand by police officer in uniform or an officer of the Motor Vehicle Department in uniform or any other officer authorised by the Government, produce the documents for inspection. (Provided that where any or all of the documents are not in his possession, he shall produce in person an extract or extract of the documents duly attested by any police officer or by any other officer or send it to the officer who demanded the documents, by registered post, within 15 days of the demand).

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I have always wondered what kind of original documents one should carry in the car in case police stop you. Currently I am carrying everything in original and I feel a little unsafe about it.

Driver's License - This has to be original I guess.
RC Book - Not sure about this, will photocopy pass?
Insurance - Same doubt
Emission Certificate - Original I think.

I know this can vary by state, please shed some light about what it is in your state.

Sharing my stratergy as follows:-

1. When traveling within my home district i carry only original Driving Licence & PUC. I keep copies of Insurance Policy, Reg. Cert. & Tax Certificate with me.
2. When traveling within Maharashtra State I normally also carry Original Regn. certificate.
3. When traveling out of state I carry Originals of all these documents. Of these PUC will be in glove compartment, D/L & RC will be on my person (in a waist money belt!!) & rest in a file in the luggage. I also carry Medical Insurance ID card in same waist belt & original policy in the luggage.

Now I am also planning to have scanned copies on my smartphone ( with access lock pw) & on the cloud in Dropbox.

Last week we were going to Jog falls when there was a check going on near Sagara. The SI just looked at the original D/L & RC (which I keep back to back in a plastic cover) & quietly let me go. Did not even ask for PUC!! Otherwise would have had to waste time arguing with him.

Normally the police @ state borders can be quite arrogant ( particularly when entering Goa). So better to carry originals when traveling out of home state.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I have always wondered what kind of original documents one should carry in the car in case police stop you. Currently I am carrying everything in original and I feel a little unsafe about it.

Driver's License - This has to be original I guess.
RC Book - Not sure about this, will photocopy pass?
Insurance - Same doubt
Emission Certificate - Original I think.

I know this can vary by state, please shed some light about what it is in your state.

Here is what I have been doing.

Driver's License - Colour Xerox with lamination.
RC Book - Original
Insurance - Original
Emission Certificate - Original.

Anurag.

[rajshenoy]

Bumped upon this thread on a friday evening. Well i must admit i have been only carrying photocopies(not even attested) of all documents(except pollution check) till date.

Havent really been stopped by cops till date on car. For my bike, couple of times i was asked to produce documents and they were ok with photocopies of RC and DL as well.

I still hold the old DL book and lazy to visit RTO for DL smart card. may be the day i do that, I shall carry the originals.

But i Make it a point to carry all originals whenever i am leaving Bangalore city.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Bumped upon this thread on a friday evening. Well i must admit i have been only carrying photocopies(not even attested) of all documents(except pollution check) till date.

But what is point in carrying the photocopies for Insurance and RC Book as it will be in the car and every vehicle has it's unique documents that won't get mixed up so keeping them in the glove box with the manuals will be better right?!

Anurag.