Vehicle ownership transfer is a legal process that officially changes the registered owner of a vehicle from the seller to the buyer. This process is mandatory when purchasing a used vehicle, inheriting a vehicle, or transferring ownership within family members. The transfer must be completed within the specified time frame to avoid penalties and ensure the new owner is legally recognized.
This comprehensive guide covers the complete transfer process, required documents, fees, and important considerations for both sellers and buyers.
Table of Contents
When is Vehicle Ownership Transfer Required?
Scenarios Requiring Ownership Transfer
- Vehicle Sale/Purchase: When buying or selling a used vehicle between individuals
- Inheritance: When a vehicle is transferred to legal heirs after the owner's death
- Gift Transfer: When gifting a vehicle to family members or others
- Company Transfer: When transferring vehicle ownership between companies
- Insurance Claim: When insurance company takes ownership after total loss claim
- Repossession: When financial institution repossesses the vehicle
- Inter-state Transfer: When moving vehicle to another state permanently
Important Legal Requirements
- Transfer must be completed within 30 days of sale/purchase
- Driving without transfer can lead to fines up to ₹5,000
- New owner becomes liable for all traffic violations after transfer date
- Insurance policy must be transferred to new owner's name
- Pending loans or dues must be cleared before transfer
- Both parties must be present or provide authorization for transfer
Required Documents for Ownership Transfer
Essential Documents Checklist
- Form 29: Application for intimation and transfer of ownership
- Form 30: Notice of transfer of ownership
- RC Book: Original Registration Certificate
- Insurance Papers: Valid insurance certificate in new owner's name
- PUC Certificate: Valid Pollution Under Control certificate
- Address Proof: Aadhaar card, passport, or utility bills of new owner
- ID Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, or driving licence of both parties
- Sale Agreement: Sale deed or purchase agreement
- Passport Photos: 2 recent photographs of new owner
- Transfer Fee: Payment receipt for transfer charges
Special Cases - Additional Documents
- Inheritance Cases: Death certificate, succession certificate, NOC from legal heirs
- Company Transfer: Company registration certificate, board resolution, authorization letter
- Financed Vehicles: NOC from financier, loan closure certificate
- Inter-state Transfer: NOC from original RTO, road tax payment proof
- Gift Transfer: Gift deed, affidavit from donor
Vehicle Ownership Transfer Process
Prepare Required Documents
Collect all necessary documents including RC book, insurance papers, PUC certificate, address proof, and ID proof of both parties.
Fill Application Forms
Complete Form 29 (application for transfer) and Form 30 (notice of transfer) with accurate details of both parties.
Download Form 29 Download Form 30Submit Documents at RTO
Visit the RTO where the vehicle is registered and submit all documents along with the application forms.
Pay Transfer Fees
Pay the applicable transfer fees and road tax (if applicable) at the RTO counter.
Vehicle Inspection
Some RTOs may require physical inspection of the vehicle to verify chassis and engine numbers.
Verification Process
RTO officials verify all documents and check for any pending challans or dues on the vehicle.
Receive Acknowledgement
Collect acknowledgement slip with application number for tracking transfer status.
Receive Updated RC
After processing, collect the updated Registration Certificate with new owner's details.
Important Points to Remember
- Both seller and buyer should keep copies of all submitted documents
- Transfer process may vary slightly between different states
- Keep the vehicle insurance active during transfer process
- Notify your insurance company about the ownership change
- Update vehicle details in Fastag account if applicable
- Keep the acknowledgement slip safe until you receive updated RC
Online Ownership Transfer Process
Visit Parivahan Portal
Navigate to the official Parivahan website for vehicle-related services.
Open Parivahan Portal Vahan ServicesSelect Your State
Choose your state from the dropdown menu to access state-specific services.
Navigate to Transfer Services
Click on "Vehicle Related Services" and select "Transfer of Ownership".
Fill Online Application
Complete the online application form with vehicle and owner details accurately.
Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents in specified format and size.
Pay Fees Online
Pay the transfer fees using available online payment methods.
Schedule RTO Visit
Book an appointment for document verification at your local RTO.
Visit RTO for Verification
Visit the RTO on scheduled date with original documents for verification.
Receive Updated RC
After successful verification, receive updated RC via post or collect from RTO.
Benefits of Online Transfer
- Convenient process from home or office
- Reduced paperwork and documentation
- Online payment options
- Choice of appointment date and time
- Real-time application status tracking
- Digital acknowledgement and receipts
- Faster processing compared to offline methods
Offline Ownership Transfer Process
Visit Local RTO
Go to the RTO where the vehicle is currently registered with all required documents.
Collect Application Forms
Obtain Form 29 and Form 30 from the RTO counter or download them online.
Fill Forms Accurately
Complete the forms with accurate details of both seller and buyer.
Submit Documents
Submit all required documents along with the filled forms at the RTO counter.
Pay Transfer Fees
Pay the applicable fees at the RTO counter via cash or card.
Vehicle Inspection (If Required)
Some RTOs may require physical inspection of the vehicle.
Receive Acknowledgement
Collect acknowledgement slip with application number for tracking.
Collect Updated RC
After processing, collect the updated Registration Certificate from RTO.
Things to Remember for Offline Transfer
- Carry all original documents for verification
- Visit during RTO working hours (typically 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
- Be prepared for possible waiting times
- Keep photocopies of all submitted documents
- Note down your application number for future reference
- Both parties should be present or provide authorization letters
Ownership Transfer Fee Structure
Standard Transfer Fees (State-wise)
| Vehicle Type | Transfer Fee | Smart Card Fee | Service Charge | Total Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Wheeler | ₹200 - ₹300 | ₹200 | ₹50 | ₹450 - ₹550 |
| Four-Wheeler (Car) | ₹300 - ₹500 | ₹200 | ₹50 | ₹550 - ₹750 |
| Three-Wheeler | ₹250 - ₹400 | ₹200 | ₹50 | ₹500 - ₹650 |
| Commercial Vehicle | ₹500 - ₹1000 | ₹200 | ₹50 | ₹750 - ₹1250 |
| Inter-state Transfer | Regular fee + Road Tax | ₹200 | ₹100 | Varies by state |
Important Fee-Related Information
- Fees may vary between different states and union territories
- Additional charges may apply for late transfer applications
- Road tax calculation varies by vehicle type and state
- Online payments may include gateway charges (1-2% of transaction amount)
- Keep the payment receipt until transfer process is complete
- Some states offer discounts for timely transfer applications
Transfer Processing Timeline
Standard Processing Duration
Application Submission & Verification
Application received, document verification, and initial processing. Status typically shows as "Application Received" or "Under Verification".
Processing & Approval
Application processing, background checks, and approval by RTO officials. Most transfer applications complete during this period.
RC Printing & Dispatch
Updated RC card printing, quality checks, and dispatch to registered address. For complex cases, additional verification may extend this period.
Official RTO Processing Standards
- Online Transfer: 7-15 working days from application date
- Offline Transfer: 15-30 working days from application date
- Inter-state Transfer: 30-45 working days due to additional verifications
- Inheritance Cases: 20-30 working days for additional document verification
- Company Transfer: 15-25 working days for corporate document checks
Ownership Transfer Checklist
Pre-Transfer Verification Checklist
Post-Transfer Actions
- Update vehicle insurance policy with new owner details
- Transfer Fastag account to new owner's name
- Notify relevant authorities about ownership change if required
- Keep all transfer documents safely for future reference
- Verify updated RC details for accuracy
- Update vehicle details in any parking or toll apps
Frequently Asked Questions
General Transfer Questions
As per Motor Vehicles Act, vehicle ownership must be transferred within 30 days of purchase. Failure to transfer within this period may attract penalties up to ₹5,000.
No, all pending traffic challans must be cleared before ownership transfer. The RTO will not process the transfer application until all dues are paid.
If the seller cannot be present, they can provide a notarized authorization letter allowing the buyer to complete the transfer process on their behalf.
Vehicle inspection requirements vary by state. Some states require physical inspection to verify chassis and engine numbers, while others may not.
Document & Process Questions
The seller needs to provide original RC book, insurance papers, PUC certificate, address proof, ID proof, and signed Form 28 & 30.
Yes, but you need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financier and provide loan closure documents along with other transfer documents.
Form 29 is the application for transfer of ownership, while Form 30 is the notice of transfer that needs to be submitted to the RTO by the new owner.
You can check transfer application status online through the Parivahan portal using your application number, or visit the RTO with your acknowledgement slip.
Parivahan Helpline
If you face any problem in driving license, document update, vehicle details check and pay your vehicle challan, you can contact using below details –
| Problem | Email ID | Contact Number | Timings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration, Fitness, Tax, Permit, Dealer | helpdesk-vahan[at]gov[dot]in | +91-120-4925505 | 06:00 AM - 12:00 Midnight |
| Learner License, Driving License | helpdesk-sarathi[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |
| mParivahan Services | helpdesk-mparivahan[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |
| eChallan Services | helpdesk-echallan[at]gov[dot]in | N/A | N/A |