Here are the essential documents you must have:

1. Driving Licence (DL):

   • This is your fundamental authorization to ride a two-wheeler.
      
   • It should be valid for the type of vehicle you are riding (e.g., motorcycle with gear, motorcycle without gear).
      
   • Penalty for not carrying: Significant fines and potentially license suspension.

2. Registration Certificate (RC):

   • The RC is the official document proving your bike's ownership and its registration with the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
      
   • It contains critical information like your bike's registration number, chassis number, engine number, make, model, and owner's name.
      
   • Penalty for not carrying: Heavy fines, and in some cases, the vehicle might be impounded.

3. Two-Wheeler Insurance Policy:

   • It is legally mandatory to have at least a "Third-Party Insurance Policy." This covers damages to third parties in case of an accident caused by your bike.
      
   • While comprehensive insurance offers broader coverage (including damage to your own bike), third-party is the minimum legal requirement.
      
   • Penalty for not carrying: Fines.

4. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate:

   • This certificate verifies that your bike's emissions are within the permissible limits set by environmental regulations.
      
   • New bikes usually get a PUC valid for one year, after which it needs to be renewed periodically (typically every 6 months).
      
   • Penalty for not carrying: Fines.

Important Note on Digital Documents:

Since October 2020, the Indian government has officially recognized digital copies of these documents. This means you can store and present them using government-approved mobile applications:

• DigiLocker App: A secure cloud-based platform by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) where you can store your DL, RC, insurance, and other official documents.
   
• mParivahan App: Developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), this app allows you to access and display your digital RC and DL, and also check vehicle and challan details.

These digital copies are legally valid and must be accepted by traffic authorities during checks. This offers great convenience as it reduces the risk of losing physical documents.

Other Documents (Good to Have / Required in Specific Cases):

• Fitness Certificate: If your bike is older than 15 years, a Fitness Certificate is required to certify its roadworthiness. This needs to be renewed every two years.
   
• Medical Certificate: For riders above a certain age (e.g., 50 years and above, or 40+ for commercial vehicles), a medical certificate may be required to prove fitness to ride.
   
• Road Tax Receipt: While proof of road tax payment is often embedded in the RC, carrying a separate receipt can be useful for verification.
   
• Identity Proof: Though not a bike-specific document, carrying a personal ID like an Aadhaar card or PAN card is always advisable for general identification purposes.

In summary, always ensure you have a valid Driving Licence, Registration Certificate, Insurance Policy, and PUC Certificate readily available, whether in physical form or digitally via DigiLocker or mParivahan. Staying compliant will make your riding experience much smoother and stress-free.