Vehicle Registration Transfer

Learn all about Vehicle Registration Transfer: Within State and Interstate

Even though the process of selling vehicles has become significantly simpler over years - with online websites setting up platforms for buyers and sellers to meet, there are a few formalities that remain to be fulfilled.

One of the most significant among these is the change of the name of owner on vehicle registration certificate. When you transfer the ownership of your vehicle to another person, it is obvious that the name on its registration certificate won’t remain yours.

So, what do you do about it? Read on to find out!

Vehicle Registration Transfer – What Does it Mean?

When you sell your car or any other vehicle registered under your name, the law mandates you to transfer the ownership of your vehicle to the buyer’s name. This process, commonly known as RC transfer is crucial since it makes sure that the vehicle, alongside all its legal liabilities, are transferred to its new owner.

There is a set procedure that needs to be followed for vehicle registration transfer from one person to another.

However, hold on!

There are different circumstances under which this vehicle RC transfer might happen. These can be illustrated in the table below:

Situation	Explanation
Transfer if the vehicle is purchased by someone else	Here, the name of the new buyer is added to RC as the vehicle’s owner, instead of its previous owner.
Transfer in case of death of the registered owner	● The legal heir has to inform the registering authority about his/her intention about the vehicle within 30 days of owner’s demise. ● The legal heir can utilise this vehicle for a maximum period of 3 months without getting it registered to their name.
Transfer of the vehicle in an auction	During an auction, the name of previous owner is replaced by new owner in registration certificate.

Types of Vehicle Registration Transfer

Further, Vehicle Registration Transfer can be of two types:

Transfer of Vehicle Registration within the state.
Transfer of Vehicle Registration from one state to another.

Transfer of Vehicle Registration within the State - Process Explained

If Vehicle is Purchased by Someone Else

If the transfer of vehicle registration is taking place because your vehicle has been purchased by someone else, you have to submit Form 29 with details of transferor and transferee.
This Form 29 has to be submitted to respective registering authority in the area where both transferor and transferee reside.
Further, the transferee has to submit Form 30 alongside all required documents under Form 1, within 14 days of the vehicle’s transfer.
The transferee must also pay applicable charges that are levied by registration authority under Central Motor Vehicle Rules’ Rule 81.

Documents Required for Vehicle Transfer:

The principal documents to be submitted if the vehicle is being purchased by a new owner from you are:

Application form or Form 29.
Form 30.
Form 1.

Following is a list of documents to be submitted under Form 1:

Vehicle’s existing registration certificate.
Motor insurance policy.
PUC certificate.
Form 60 and PAN card of new buyer.
Engine and Chassis print of the vehicle.
Age proof of vehicle’s owner.
Address proof of vehicle's owner.
Vehicle’s Registration Certificate proof.
Undertaking provided by new buyer.
Owner’s passport size photographs.
Proof that taxes of the vehicle have been cleared.

In this case, if the transfer of a Vehicle’s ownership is happening outside the state, the transferee will be required to submit Form 30 within a span of 45 days of transfer, alongside documents mentioned in Form 1.

Further, the transferee will also have to submit all documents mentioned below under Form 2:

A No Objection Certificate obtained from concerning authority.
If registering authority refuses to provide a NOC, transferee will have to submit a document which states the cause of refusal.
If you, as a vehicle's owner, have not received the NOC from the concerned authority, you will have to provide the following documents as proof for not receiving the NOC:
a) A receipt from registering authority.
b) Receipt from post office where NOC was received from concerned registering authority.

If Owner of the Vehicle is Deceased

If the vehicle’s previous owner is deceased, the new owner will have to submit Form 31 to registration authority by filling out required information.
New owner will have to submit the form for ownership transfer within 3 months from the date of taking up the vehicle’s ownership.
New buyer will have to pay applicable charges as levied by registering authority under Rule 81 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

Documents Required for Vehicle Transfer:

Following is a list of documents that need to be submitted if transfer of ownership of the vehicle happens if the owner is deceased:

Form 31.
Existing registration certificate.
Vehicle insurance policy certificate.
Death certificate of deceased owner.
PAN card of new owner with Form 60.
PUC certificate.
Engine and chassis print of vehicle.
Age proof of new owner.
Address proof of new owner.
Vehicle’s registration certificate.
Passport size photograph of new owner.
Document supporting new owner’s linkage to deceased individual.
Signature identification of individual who sold the vehicle.
Form 20 containing details of the vehicle’s verification.

If the Vehicle is Purchased at an Auction

If the concerned vehicle is purchased at an auction sponsored by Central or State Government, this ownership transfer has to be submitted through Form 32.
This form has to be submitted to respective registering authority within 30 days of the vehicle’s purchase.
The person purchasing the vehicle has to pay all applicable charges as levied by registering authority as mandated by Rule 81 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

Documents that Need to be Submitted:

For transfer of vehicle’s ownership at an auction, the documents that require submission are as follows –

Form 32.
Registration certificate.
Insurance certificate (whether third-party or comprehensive).
PUC certificate
Form 60 and PAN card of new owner.
Engine and Chassis print of vehicle.
Age proof of new owner.
Address proof of new owner.
Vehicle’s RC book.
Undertaking provided by new buyer.
Passport size photographs.
A certificate stating that the vehicle’s taxes are cleared.
Certificate supporting that the vehicle was sold to new owner at an auction under the Central or State Governments.
Certificate proving that the auction by conducted by Central or State Government.
These were the rules for the transfer of vehicle registration within the state.

Transfer of Vehicle Registration from One State to Another - Process Explained

Let us now take a look at the process of transfer of vehicle registration from one state to another state. This is the process that needs to be followed if you are moving from one state to another.

For example, if you are shifting from Mumbai to Delhi, you will need to re-register your Vehicle in the city you are moving to.

Further, this process has to be completed before you get a No-Objection Certificate from the city where your vehicle has been originally registered.

To complete the transfer of your vehicle’s registration, you will need to follow the process explained below:

Step 1 – Get the No Objection Certificate from the Bank (if you have availed a loan)

If you have a vehicle loan, you will first need to obtain a NOC from your bank. This will require you to visit the bank and submit documents like the address proof in the new city, your reason for transfer, etc. The bank will process your request and then grant you the NOC.

Step 2 – Obtain a NOC from the Regional Transport Office where your Vehicle was Registered

After obtaining the lender NOC, you will need to avail the NOC from your RTO. For instance, if you are moving from Mumbai to Delhi, you will need to obtain the NOC from Mumbai RTO. For this, you will have to submit Form 27 and 28 and the NOC copy obtained from your bank.

You will also need to submit the documents mentioned below:

NOC application for transferring your vehicle from one state to the other.
Documents like registration certificate, insurance policy documents, tax documents, PUC certificate.
Chassis imprint from the vehicle.
Copies of CMV Form 28.

After obtaining the NOC from your RTO, you can move the registration of your vehicle from your state to the new state.

Step 3 – Re-Registering Your Vehicle in the New City

After transferring your vehicle successfully, you will need to undertake steps to get it re-registered in the new state.

Most of the country’s Regional Transport Offices allow a span of 6 months during which the owner can carry out the process of registration.

For the registration, you will first need to locate your nearest RTO office and submit an application along with the following documents:

Your original RC copy.
The copy of your vehicle insurance policy.
Copy of the No Objection Certificates you have already received from your lender, previous RTO, etc.
Form 29 and Form 30 for re-registering your vehicle.
Certificate for undertaking emission tests.
Passport size photographs.
Local address proof.
Applicable RTO charges for transfer of vehicles.
After submitting the documents successfully, your RTO will process your application and issue you with the fresh certification within a few days.

How to get Road Tax Refund?

You will also receive a refund of the road taxes you have already paid in your previous state. To apply for this refund, you will need to submit the following documents:

Tax refund application.
Self-attested RTO Form 16.
Copy of RC with the newly obtained registration number.
Copy of RC with the previous application number.
Your insurance certificate complete with the new registration number.
Identification proof.
Address proof.

Thus, with this step, you can complete the transfer of vehicle registration from one state to another state.

Remember:

The charges applicable for transfer of vehicle registration vary from one state to another, along with the age of the vehicle. So, make sure you check the applicable charges for your state.
You can also visit the site for “Parivahan Sewa” and follow up on the respective process to complete the vehicle registration transfer process online.

The most important part of transferring vehicle registration within the state, or from one state to another is keeping track of the documents required for it.

So make sure you take note of all the documents required and complete the process accordingly!

FAQs about Vehicle RC Transfer

✓ Is the online process for registration transfer easier than the offline process?

Yes, the online process is easier because you can mail your documents to the RTO office and you will not have to visit the office physically.

✓ Why is vehicle registration a necessity?

Under Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 it is mandatory for vehicles to be registered under any registration authority to be driven on Indian roads.

✓ What is the validity of registration certificates?

For vehicles like cars and two-wheelers, the registration certificate remains valid until 15 years from its date of registration.