Independent guide by India Customer Care · Not the Parivahan government website · We never ask for your licence number, vehicle number, Aadhaar or OTP. Official services: parivahan.gov.in
Vehicle Ownership Transfer: RC Transfer Online, Forms and Fees
When you sell a vehicle, the RC must be moved to the buyer's name. The seller reports the sale within 14 days (45 days if the vehicle is registered in another state), and the buyer applies within 30 days, using Forms 29 and 30 on VAHAN. The central fee is half the registration fee, for example ₹300 for a private car. Until the RC changes, the seller stays legally liable for the vehicle.
- Forms
- 29 and 30 (sale), 31 (death), 32 (auction)
- Seller
- 14 days (45 if other state)
- Buyer
- 30 days
- Fee (car)
- ₹300 + state charges
- Where
- VAHAN, then RTO if asked
On this page
Which case is yours: sale, death or auction?
Sale within the same state
- Seller and buyer sign Form 29 (notice of transfer) and Form 30 (Part I by the seller, Part II by the buyer).
- The seller reports to the registering authority within 14 days; the buyer applies within 30 days.
Vehicle registered in another state
- Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original RTO on Form 28. If the RTO doesn't refuse it within 30 days, it counts as granted.
- The seller has 45 days to send the NOC (or the acknowledgement and a declaration).
- Unpaid toll on the vehicle stops the NOC (rules in force since January 2026).
Transfer after the owner's death
- The person succeeding to the vehicle tells the RTO within 30 days of the death, and may use it for up to 3 months.
- Apply in Form 31 within 3 months, with the death certificate, RC and insurance.
Bought at a public auction
- Apply in Form 32 within 30 days of taking possession, with the RC, insurance, the auction sale certificate and the order authorising the auction.
What are the time limits?
| Who | Time limit | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Seller, same state | 14 days | Section 50(1)(a)(i) |
| Seller, vehicle from another state | 45 days | Section 50(1)(a)(ii) |
| Buyer | 30 days | Section 50(1)(b) |
| Successor after a death | Tell the RTO within 30 days; Form 31 within 3 months | Section 50(2) and the rules |
| Buyer at an auction | Form 32 within 30 days of possession | Section 50(2) and the rules |
| Insurance transfer | 14 days to apply to the insurer | Section 157 |
Late applications pay a delay fee: ₹300 a month for a motorcycle and ₹500 a month for other vehicles, under rule 81 as published by Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
What documents and fees do you need?
- Form 29 and Form 30 (or Form 31 or 32), signed.
- The original RC, valid insurance and a valid PUC certificate.
- The buyer's address proof, and a PAN card copy or Form 60 in some states.
- Form 28 NOC for a vehicle from another state.
- If there is a loan: the financier's consent on Form 30, or loan removal (Form 35) first.
- Some states ask for a chassis number pencil print and specimen signatures (for example Puducherry).
The central fee under rule 81 is half the registration fee:
| Vehicle | Transfer fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | ₹150 |
| Car or other light vehicle, private | ₹300 |
| Light vehicle, transport | ₹500 |
| Medium goods or passenger vehicle | ₹500 |
| Heavy goods or passenger vehicle | ₹750 |
States add smart card, service and postal charges, so VAHAN shows the total before you pay.
How do you apply for transfer of ownership?
Seller and buyerVAHAN / RTOFee
- Clear any loan, unpaid toll and pending challans
- Seller and buyer sign Forms 29 and 30 (financier too, if there is a loan)
- On VAHAN, apply for transfer of ownership for the registration number
- Pay the transfer fee and upload or keep the documents
- Aadhaar authentication used?No: submit the documents at the RTO
- The RTO approves and issues the RC in the buyer's name
- Open VAHAN citizen services and choose the state where the vehicle is registered.
- Choose the transfer of ownership service, enter the registration number and verify with the OTP.
- Fill in the buyer's details, upload the documents, and pay the fee.
- With Aadhaar authentication (voluntary), the application can be contactless. Otherwise take the signed forms and originals to the RTO.
- Track the application on VAHAN until the RC is issued in the buyer's name.
✔ You'll know it worked when the vehicle details on VAHAN or mParivahan show the buyer as the owner.
Open VAHAN (official) vahan.parivahan.gov.in
What should the seller and the buyer each do?
Seller checklist
- Sign Forms 29 and 30, and report the sale within 14 days.
- Keep copies of the signed forms, the sale agreement and the buyer's ID.
- Close your FASTag with your bank.
- Follow up until VAHAN shows the new owner. The Supreme Court held in 2018 that the person named in the RTO records stays liable to third parties.
Buyer checklist
- Check the vehicle on VAHAN or mParivahan: owner name, loan, and pending challans.
- Apply for the transfer within 30 days.
- Transfer the insurance to your name with the insurer straight away.
- Buy a new FASTag in your name once the transfer shows on VAHAN.
What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?
| Your situation | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| NOC refused | Unpaid toll on record | Clear the toll dues, then apply again. |
| Transfer blocked | Pending challans or tax dues | Pay or contest the challans, and clear the tax. |
| Application stuck | The loan is still on the RC | Get the financier's signature, or remove the loan first. |
| Aadhaar check fails | Name or mobile differs from the RC | Use the route with documents at the RTO. |
| Late fee charged | The sale or application came after the time limit | Pay the monthly delay fee. |
| Seller gets challans after the sale | The RC is still in the seller's name | Contest with the signed Form 29 and sale papers, and push the buyer to complete the transfer. |
| Insurance claim refused after buying | The policy was not moved to the buyer | Apply to the insurer within the time limit. |
Frequently asked questions
How long does the seller have to report the sale?
14 days if the vehicle is registered in the same state, 45 days if it is from another state.
How long does the buyer have?
30 days.
What is the transfer fee for a car?
₹300 under the central rules for a private car, plus state charges.
The owner has died. What do we do?
Tell the RTO within 30 days and apply in Form 31 within 3 months, with the death certificate, RC and insurance.
Do I need an NOC?
Yes, if the vehicle is registered in another state: Form 28. It counts as granted if not refused within 30 days.
Is Aadhaar compulsory?
No. Aadhaar authentication is voluntary; without it you submit the documents at the RTO.
I sold my car but it's still in my name. Am I liable?
Yes. The person named in the RTO records stays liable to third parties until the transfer is done.
What happens to the FASTag?
The seller closes it with the bank, and the buyer gets a new one.
Sources
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (India Code): sections 2(30), 48, 50 and 157 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- VAHAN – instructions and documents for each service (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Transport Department, Andhra Pradesh – transfer on death, transfer after auction and registration fees (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Himachal Pradesh – rule 81 fee table (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Government of Punjab – transfer of ownership forms and Puducherry – transfer of ownership (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- PIB – contactless services with voluntary Aadhaar (Sep 2022) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Supreme Court – judgment of 14 Dec 2018: registered owner's liability (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- NHAI – FASTag FAQ (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- All India Radio (Prasar Bharati) – unpaid toll and NOC (Jan 2026) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
Page history: 25 Oct 2026: first published. 25 Oct 2026: sources limited to government websites.