How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership (Online/Offline): Cost, Documents Required, and More

There may be several reasons why one may need to transfer their vehicle ownership to another person. The predominant reason is selling it to another person. Vehicle transfer is the process of transferring ownership of a car or bike from one person to another. 

The process is regulated by local motor vehicle laws, and sometimes one may feel the process to be quite tedious and confusing. In this article, read on to know all about transfer of ownership of vehicle.

You may wish to have a transfer within the same state or between two different states; the process for transfer of ownership of vehicle is given below.

If the buyer and seller are both from the same state, follow these simple steps for both car and bike ownership transfer.

Step 1: Get Forms 29 and 30 from the relevant state's Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Step 2: Fill out Forms 29 and 30 with the vehicle’s seller's signature.

Step 3: Submit the filled-up forms and the registration certificate, insurance certificate, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and address proof of both the buyer and seller to the RTO.

Step 4: Pay the fee for the transfer of ownership.

Step 5: Once the RTO verifies all the documents, the registration certificate will be transferred to the buyer's name.

If the owner and buyer are both from different states, follow these steps.

Step 1: Get the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the vehicle's RTO.

Step 2: Take Form 28, Form 29, Form 30, and Form 33 from the RTO of the concerned state where the buyer resides.

Step 3: Fill up Form 28, Form 29, Form 30, and Form 33, and sign them along with the vehicle's seller.

Step 4: Submit the filled-up forms, the registration certificate, insurance certificate, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and address proof of both the buyer and seller to the RTO where the buyer resides.

Step 5: You need to pay the inter-state transfer of ownership fee.

Step 6: Once the RTO verifies all the documents, the registration certificate will be transferred to the buyer's name in the new state.

You must follow these steps to transfer ownership if the vehicle owner dies.

You must follow these steps if the vehicle is bought in a public auction.

Here are the required documents for vehicle RC transfer within the same state.

Here is how you can do transfer of ownership of vehicle:

Application process

Application submission

Finalisation

Some of the reasons why a car or two wheeler ownership transfer online takes place are as follows:

Here is an estimate of the transfer fee.

Car:

Bike:

Fees may change or vary depending on the RTO. Refer to the relevant RTO website for updated charges.

The RC transfer process generally takes 7 to 14 days within the same state and up to 30 days for an interstate transfer. In the case of the owner’s death or a public auction, the transfer of ownership may take up to 45 days.

We recommend you check with the relevant RTO for the exact timeline for the RC transfer process to ensure that all the required documents and RC transfer fees are submitted to avoid delays.

Use any of these two methods.

Online Method

SMS Method

Please note that the online and SMS methods of checking the RC transfer status may only be available in some states.

If you don't complete a vehicle ownership transfer, you may face legal and financial consequences. Without transferring ownership, you're still legally tied to the vehicle, even if it’s sold or given away. This means you could be held responsible for traffic violations, accidents, or unpaid fees linked to the car. Additionally, the new owner might not be able to register the vehicle in their name, causing complications. To avoid these issues, always ensure that ownership is officially transferred with the proper documentation and authorities.

Yes, it is valid to purchase your vehicle insurance before registering your vehicle. If in case your car meets with an accident before your permanent registration reaches you, you will still be eligible to get compensated by your insurance company. So, it is absolutely necessary that you buy your insurance as soon as you register for your vehicle. Purchasing insurance before registration in India requires getting the vehicle details, choosing an insurance company, getting a quote and paying the premium for the coverage.

Transfer of vehicle ownership may seem like a tedious process with multiple steps, but it is important to ensure that all documents are submitted correctly, and fees are paid in order to ensure a smooth transfer. Once all requirements have been met, you will receive your issued certificate of registration, which serves as proof that the vehicle has been legally transferred. With this certificate, you can now enjoy your new ride and all the great experiences it brings!