Overview of ARAI Certificate

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) grants comprehensive certification and homologation services for all kinds of automotive services. It is an agency authorised for testing and certifying the vehicles and engines used for automotive and non-automotive applications. It also assists the manufacturers of vehicles for export homologation activities. International certification authorities of Singapore, Australia and the Netherlands have recognised ARAI for carrying out the tests as per their regulations and standards.

The ARAI is an autonomous body which was established in 1966 by the Automotive industry, and it is associated with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Enterprises. It is a leading automotive Research and Development organisation in India that the Automotive Industry sets up with the Indian Government. It plays a crucial role in assuring safety, less polluting, more efficient and reliable vehicles. It is recognised as the Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by many government departments. Also, it is notified by the Government of India as a prime Testing and Certification agency under Rule 126 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

Types of vehicles obtaining the ARAI Certificate

The ARAI Certificate is obtained for all types of vehicles, such as:

• Two-wheelers 

Ranging from small mopeds and scooters to motorcycles, India is the largest manufacturer of these two-wheeled vehicles. The ARAI certificate is applicable to the following types of two-wheeled vehicles:

1. Petrol/Diesel/CNG/LPG vehicles of more than 25 cc engine capacity
2. Electric vehicles that have more power than 250W and have a maximum design speed of more than 25kmph.

• Three-wheelers

These three-wheelers are very extensively used in India, especially in urban areas, with the simple design and ease of operation. The manufacturers produce these three-wheelers to meet local demands. ARAI Certificate is applicable to the following types of three-wheelers:

1. Passenger or goods carriers
2. Fully built vehicles
3. An incomplete vehicle in the form of a Drive Away Chassis
4. Petrol/Diesel/CNG/ LPG vehicles of more than 25 cc engine capacity.
5. Electric vehicles have a speed of more than 25kmph and power of more than 250W.

• Four-wheelers

ARAI Certificate is granted to the following types of four-wheelers:

1. Passenger and goods carriers
2. Fully built vehicles
3. Incomplete vehicle in the form of Drive Away Chassis
4. Petrol/Diesel/CNG/LPG vehicles of more than 25cc engine capacity.
5. Electric vehicles

• Agricultural Tractor

Agriculture tractors are used in fields and farms, but they are not confined to it. They can be used for transportation. The agricultural tractors are covered under the CMVR.

• Construction Equipment Vehicle (CEV)

CEVs are non-transport vehicles. Driving these vehicles on the road is incidental. These are used to comply with road usage and several requirements related to design safety and emission as specified under the Central Moto vehicles Rules.

Documents for the ARAI Certificate

The documents required for obtaining the ARAI Certificate are as follows:

• Application form in the prescribed format
• The compliance reports
• Test results according to the prescribed method
• A sample of the testing
• Other required documents

The procedure for ARAI Certificate

The process to be followed for obtaining ARAI Certificate is as follows:

• Determine the engine or model family of the vehicle as per the instructions given under the ISO 8178-7. However, the final decision of determining the engine and family lies with the authorised agency.
• The supplier applies for the type of approval to the certification agency as recommended in Rule 6 of GSR 771(E) and amendments vide GSR 232(E). This certification is mandatory for the verification of the manufacturer’s Conformity of Production (COP).
• Then the applicant fills out the application form for the type approval as per the type of vehicle according to Annexures-II and V. The applicant fills in all the required details in the application form, including the parent model, test results, etc.
• The certification agency then determines the family, parent model and other variants as per the details provided in the application form.
• The certification authority does the testing of the parent model after determining the details.
• Further, for the type approval application submitted, the certification authority/agency determines whether it belongs to the family of the already certified model or not.
• The sample of the engine is submitted for testing as proclaimed by the certification authority/agency to check the emission level.  
• When the supplier’s engine passes the testing, then the type approval certificate (ARAI Certificate) is granted to the applicant.
• But if the sample engine fails the tasting, then the supplier is required to repair, modify and replace the said engine. Then the revised application is submitted by the applicant to the certifying authority.  

The application is considered withdrawn if the manufacturer fails to repair, modify, and replace the sample within three months. And so, the applicant has to submit a new application again.

It generally takes one month for Indian manufacturers and two months for foreign manufacturers to grant the ARAI Certificates.

CorpBiz Procedure for ARAI Certificate

• Purchase a Plan for Expert Assistance
• Add Queries Regarding ARAI Certificate
• Provide Documents to Corpbiz Expert
• Prepare Application 
• Complete Procedural Actions
• Get your work done.