Pocket Locker
How to never miss car insurance, PUC and licence renewal dates
Most people remember their vehicle papers only when a traffic police officer asks for them — or when a renewal SMS arrives after the date has already passed. Insurance, PUC and your driving licence all expire on different dates, and each one comes with a fine or a real risk if it lapses.
Why missing a vehicle renewal is costly
| Document | How often it expires | What happens if it lapses |
|---|---|---|
| PUC certificate | 1 year for a new vehicle; after that usually 6–12 months depending on the vehicle's emission norm | Fine of up to ₹10,000 under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act in many states. No grace period. |
| Motor insurance | Usually every year (third-party can be multi-year) | Driving uninsured is an offence, and any accident cost falls on you. A long break can also cost you your No Claim Bonus. |
| Driving licence | Many years, varies by age and licence type | Driving on an expired licence can lead to a fine and trouble with insurance claims. |
| Vehicle service / warranty | By date or kilometres | A missed service can affect your warranty cover. |
A simple system that works
- Collect every document once. RC, insurance policy, latest PUC, driving licence, and the last service record — for every vehicle in the family.
- Note the exact expiry date of each. It's printed on the document: "valid up to" on the PUC, "policy period" on the insurance.
- Set two reminders per document: one 30 days before (time to compare insurance quotes) and one 7 days before (last call).
- Keep one folder per vehicle. "My Car", "Dad's Bike" — so you're never mixing up two policies.
- Update the date the day you renew. Otherwise next year's reminder never fires.
How Pocket Locker makes this automatic
Pocket Locker was built for exactly this. Create a folder for each vehicle in the Vehicle category, add the RC, insurance and PUC with their expiry dates, and turn on reminders. You get a notification 30 or 7 days before each date, and the home screen shows everything expiring soon at a glance. When you renew, tap Renew to log the new date and keep the history of past renewals.
Keep every vehicle document and renewal date in one place
- Scan your RC, insurance and PUC — edges are detected and cleaned automatically
- Expiry reminders 30 or 7 days before each date
- One folder per vehicle, locked with Face ID or fingerprint
- Works fully offline
Free to start · Available on iPhone and Android
Frequently asked questions
How long is a PUC certificate valid?
For a new vehicle the first PUC is valid for one year. After that it is usually valid for 6 to 12 months depending on the vehicle and its emission norm (BS-IV / BS-VI vehicles typically get 12 months). The exact validity is printed on your certificate.
What is the fine for driving without a valid PUC?
Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, the fine can be up to ₹10,000 in many states. Amounts vary by state, so check your state transport department.
Is a photo of my driving licence on my phone valid?
Only documents shown through DigiLocker or mParivahan are officially recognised for traffic checks. Keep a photo in Pocket Locker for reference and reminders, and use DigiLocker or mParivahan (or the original) when an officer asks.
When should I renew my car insurance?
Before the policy end date. Starting about 30 days early gives you time to compare quotes and keep your No Claim Bonus without a gap in cover.
- Digit Insurance — Penalty for invalid PUC certificate
- Legal validity of DigiLocker and mParivahan documents (MoRTH clarification, Aug 2018)
- The Tribune — Digital licence, RC valid for verification
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fines can differ by state and change over time — check your state transport department or the official source for the latest.