What is Vehicle VIC Sticker

This discussion is about something very important for you as a vehicle user. The VIC sticker on a vehicle can be considered an essential document or an identification mark related to a vehicle in Sri Lanka.

"VIC" stands for Vehicle Identity Card. It is affixed as a sticker on the front windscreen of the vehicle.

Let's discuss a few more details about this. When talking about the importance of the VIC sticker, it is like the identity card of the vehicle. Key information such as the vehicle's registration number and the year of registration are noted on it.

This helps institutions like the Police or the Department of Motor Traffic (RMV) to quickly identify the vehicle. The VIC sticker is mandatory when registering a new vehicle, changing number plates, or transferring ownership. Simply put, the VIC sticker is a small document that confirms your vehicle's identity and is essential for legal purposes!

Now, let's look at the location of the VIC sticker, its validity period, and the information it contains.

The VIC sticker must always be affixed on the inside of the vehicle's front windscreen, often in the top corner directly visible to the driver or in a clearly visible location. The information on it should be clearly readable by an officer from outside. Damaging or tearing the sticker may be a punishable offense.

Validity Period of the VIC Sticker

The VIC sticker is usually issued for a validity period of 1 year. (The initial VIC issued during vehicle registration may vary based on the services of the Department of Motor Traffic. However, a one-year period is mentioned in general practice.)

As it is a key vehicle registration document, if a renewal is required, a new VIC sticker is issued when you obtain a new Certificate of Registration or another service from the Department of Motor Traffic.

However, the vehicle's Certificate of Registration is permanently valid for vehicles other than heavy vehicles (though a renewal check may be required after 3 years), and the VIC sticker acts as a means to instantly identify the information on that registration.

Key Information Contained in the VIC Sticker

 
• Vehicle Number (Registration Number): The registered number of the vehicle (e.g., AB-1234).
 
• The last few digits of the vehicle's chassis number.
 
• The year the sticker was issued.
 
• Confirmation of issuance by the Department of Motor Traffic (RMV).
 
• A QR code for quick scanning of information may also be included in newer stickers.

The importance of the VIC sticker during registration is that when a vehicle is newly registered or ownership is transferred (Transfer), the VIC sticker and the Certificate of Registration are the first documents issued.

When you purchase a vehicle, the VIC sticker in the name of the seller (Transferor), along with the vehicle book, must be included in the relevant documents for the transfer to the new owner (Transferee).

What Happens If the Sticker Is Lost or Damaged?

The main problem is that if this sticker is lost or damaged, you might face issues with activities like transferring vehicle ownership or obtaining new number plates.

If that happens, what you need to do is file a police complaint about the sticker being lost or damaged and obtain a copy of it. You must apply to the Department of Motor Traffic (RMV) with the copy of the police complaint and relevant documents to obtain a duplicate. A fee will be required for this.

The original sticker can be lost when installing a new windscreen due to reasons like a cracked windscreen. Therefore, it is important to check carefully whether this sticker is properly affixed when purchasing a vehicle.

Next, we will discuss the documents required to obtain a duplicate of the VIC sticker when it is lost. This is a very important process.

Typically, the following key documents and steps are required to obtain a duplicate through the Department of Motor Traffic (RMV).

Documents Required for a VIC Sticker Duplicate

 
• Police Report: An official complaint must be filed at the relevant police station stating that the VIC sticker is lost or damaged.
 
• A copy of this complaint or the Police Report is an essential document here.
 
• The vehicle's original book or Certificate of Registration must be presented.
 
• The original and a copy of the registered owner's National Identity Card (NIC).
 
• If it is a corporate body, its corporate documents (e.g., Registrar of Companies documents) and the ID of an authorized officer.

Duly Completed Application Form

The official application form obtained from the RMV or their website must be correctly completed.

If the VIC sticker is being requested due to a reason like a cracked or renewed windscreen, the relevant information should be clearly stated on the application form.

Applicable Fees

The fee determined by the Department of Motor Traffic for obtaining a duplicate must be paid.

VIC Sticker and RFID Technology

Regarding RFID technology in Sri Lanka's VIC stickers, information has been published that the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) had planned to introduce a sticker with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology several years ago. It was reported that Transport Ministers and the DMT had instructed the commencement of a project to affix an RFID tag on vehicles (on the inside of the front windscreen) in years like 2018, 2019, and 2020. This would enable the police and other authorities to obtain information about the vehicle from a distance without unnecessarily stopping it. It would also reduce theft and other crimes. Identification is made easier by including a Unique Identification Code containing data such as vehicle registration details, owner information, and engine number in the tag and linking it to the DMT database. Furthermore, this facilitates the automatic collection of road tolls or other fees in the future. Proposals to include this new RFID technology in place of or in addition to the existing Vehicle Information Certificate (VIC) sticker have been discussed. Reports indicated that the project was delayed due to certain practical issues at the beginning. According to the latest information, it is not definitively clear whether this RFID sticker has already been implemented or to what extent it has been put into operation.

Things to Pay Attention To

 
• If the sticker was lost because you installed a new windscreen, you may need to present a piece of the old windscreen or a photograph of the relevant location.
 
• Before going to the RMV office, it is best to check the latest information regarding the required documents via phone or website.
 
• Since the VIC sticker is key evidence that quickly confirms the legality and identity of your vehicle, it is very important to protect it from damage.