Vehicle Ownership Transfer: Process, Documentation, Cost & RTO Forms Needed

It is important to change the name of the vehicle owner on an RC after buying and selling an old vehicle or in case of death of the vehicle owner. Those who have purchased the vehicle in the public auction have to apply for the transfer of vehicle ownership as well. Once the vehicle ownership is transferred, the vehicle then legally belongs to the new buyer. Transferring vehicle ownership has been mandated in these cases according to the Indian law of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Learn more about documents required, cost and the RTO forms needed for the vehicle ownership transfer process.

Cases When You Need to Transfer Your Vehicle Ownership

After the transfer of ownership, the vehicle gets registered in the name of the new owner in the database of the Regional Transport Office. It is necessary to transfer ownership of the vehicle in the below-mentioned cases:

1. Normal Sale of Vehicle

In case you have sold your “used vehicle” to someone else, you need to transfer the vehicle ownership in the name of a new buyer. The step will ensure that no disputes occur between the original owner and the new owner.

2. Death of Vehicle Owner

In case the owner of a vehicle is deceased, then ownership of the vehicle has to be transferred. Any other family member of the person can then apply for the vehicle ownership transfer process.

3. Vehicle Purchased in Public Auction

If you have purchased or acquired a vehicle in a public auction, then also you need to transfer the RC. Certain formalities are supposed to be done for transfer of vehicle ownership purchased in the public auction.

RTO Rules for Ownership Transfer

RTO has issued certain rules and guidelines regarding the transfer of vehicle ownership for the above mentioned cases.

For transfer of ownership in case of normal sale of vehicle:

• A person shall report about the transfer in form no 29 to the concerned RTO authorities
• If the vehicle has to be re-registered within the same state, then the transfer application should be made in form no 30 to the RTO within 14 days of the transfer
• If the vehicle has to be transferred to another state, then the transfer application should be made in form no 30 to the RTO within 45 days of the transfer
• The fee and tax should be paid as specified in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989

For transfer of ownership on death of owner of the vehicle:

• In this case, the transfer shall be made within 3 months and a person shall report about the transfer in form no 31 to the concerned authority
• The fee and tax should be paid as specified in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989

For transfer of ownership of vehicle purchased in public auction:

• A person shall report the purchase of vehicle acquired in the public auction conducted by central or state government to the registering authority in form no 32 within 30 days of possession
• The fee and tax should be paid as specified in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989

Step-by-Step Process to Transfer Vehicle Ownership

You can apply for the transfer of ownership of a vehicle either through online mode or offline mode. You need to submit the application form along with the relevant documents irrespective of the mode. An applicable fee has to be paid as well while submitting the application.

For offline mode, here’s a step-by-step guide on the process to transfer vehicle ownership:

1. Notarising the agreement of sale is the foremost step. The agreement includes information such as mode of payment, RC, insurance details and condition of the vehicle
2. Both the buyer and seller has to sign the RTO forms which are then submitted to the local RTO along with rest of the documents
3. Once the documents are handed over to the concerned person in charge, the buyer has to apply for clearance certificate
4. After the clearance certificate is sent to the buyer via mail, the buyer has to pay the application fee
5. The new copy of RC will be then sent to the buyer via mail or courier

As stated above, you can also apply for transfer of ownership online through the ParivahanSewa website operated by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the online method of applying for the transfer of vehicle ownership:

1. Open the website, https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
2. Click on “Online Services” tab on the home page
3. Choose “Vehicle Related Services” from the drop down
4. Select your state after which a new page will appear
5. Enter your vehicle registration number and click on Proceed
6. Press the Misc (TO/CoA/HPA/HPS/HPT/DupRC) tab
7. Next, enter your mobile number and generate OTP
8. Submit the OTP sent to your number and click on Show Details
9. Under the application section, choose “Transfer of Ownership”
10. Submit the information including New owner’s details, Current address, Permanent address and Insurance details
11. Proceed further and submit the application fee online
12. Once the fee is paid, Form 30 will be generated
13. The application form along with rest of the documents has to be submitted to the RTO
14. After everything is verified by the concerned person, the new RC is sent to the applicant via mail or courier

Documents Required for Transfer of Ownership of Car or Bike

While submitting the application for transfer of vehicle ownership, an applicant needs to submit some of the documents at the respective RTO. The documents required for transfer of ownership of car or a bike are mentioned below:

• Original Registration Certificate
• Address Proof
• Insurance Copy
• PAN Card
• PUC Certificate
• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) form
• DOB proof
• Passport size photograph
• Tax clearance certificate

RTO Forms Required for Ownership Transfer

In order to apply for the ownership transfer for your vehicle at the RTO, you need to submit specific kinds of forms to the Registering authority that serves as an application form. There are different kinds of RTO forms required for vehicle ownership transfer depending on the type of case of transfer.

• Form 28

Form 28 is important to avail the NOC i.e. No Objection Certificate from the concerned RTO before selling a car or a bike. This form is also compulsory in case there is an interstate transfer. However, this may vary from one state to another. For example, form 28 is mandatory in Maharashtra even for an intrastate transfer of ownership. Form 28 has to be filled, signed and then submitted to the RTO with all the other necessary documents after which an NOC is issued.

• Form 29

Form 29 basically serves as a notice of transfer of ownership of a vehicle, hence if you have bought or sold an old vehicle, then the same is reported to the RTO in form 29.

• Form 30

Form 30 serves as an application form for transfer of ownership of a vehicle. An applicant has to submit form 30 within 14 days if the transfer is within the same state. The time period of 45 days is given to submit form 30 if the vehicle’s ownership is transferred in some other state.

• Form 31

Form 31 is submitted to the registering authority in case of death of the vehicle owner. Form 31 serves as an application for transfer of ownership in the name of the other person who might be related to the deceased person.

• Form 32

Form 32 is submitted at the RTO to notify that the vehicle has been purchased or acquired at the public auction organized by the central or the state government. Thus, form 32 serves as an application for transfer of ownership for such a vehicle.