Vahan Services
This section of myrtobuddy.com follows a vehicle from the day it’s bought to the day it changes hands, registration, RC, address changes, and ownership transfer, checked against the official Vahan portal – https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/.
Guides in this section
Full step-by-step guides are being added one at a time, each verified on the actual portal before it goes up.
Check Vehicle RC & Registration Status
Look up any vehicle’s RC status, validity dates, and registration details using its reg, chassis, and engine number.
New Vehicle Registration
Documents needed, temporary vs. permanent registration, and what the dealer handles.
Download Your RC
Getting a digital copy through DigiLocker or the Vahan portal.
Ownership Transfer
What’s needed when buying or selling a used vehicle, and the timeline to complete it.
Duplicate RC
What to do if your RC is lost, stolen, or damaged.
RC Renewal After 15 Years
When a private vehicle RC needs renewal, the fitness step and the fees.
Change Address in RC
Update the address on your RC after a move, and what changes if you move to another state.
Update Mobile Number on Vahan
Change the mobile number linked to your RC, and to your DL on Sarathi.
Book an HSRP Number Plate
What a high security plate is, the colour sticker and how booking works.
PUC Certificate
Check and download your PUC online, how long it is valid and the fine without one.
Fancy / VIP Number
Check available numbers, the e-auction and the result on the official portal.
RTO Code Finder
Type a code like UP32 or a city name to see which RTO it belongs to.
DL & RC Validity Checker
Enter your RC registration date to see when the first 15 years end.
RTO Document Checklist
Pick a task like ownership transfer or duplicate RC and get the exact documents and forms to keep ready.
RTO Form Finder
See what Form 20, 26, 29, 30, 33 and other RTO forms are for, and download the official PDFs.
A vehicle’s paper trail
Four moments almost every owner runs into, in the order they usually happen.
You buy it
Registration, usually started by the dealer.
You own it
Address changes, keeping the RC safe and up to date.
You sell it
Ownership transfer, reported soon after the sale.
Something’s lost
Duplicate RC, at any point along the way.
Buying a New Vehicle
What actually happens between driving out of the showroom and holding an RC.
New Registration
Every vehicle has to be registered before it’s driven on public roads. For a new vehicle, the dealer usually starts this on your behalf, sometimes with a short temporary registration first, sometimes going straight to permanent registration depending on the state and dealer.
Once the application, documents, and fees are processed, the RTO allots a registration number, that number goes on your High Security Registration Plate (HSRP), and the RC is issued, usually available to download digitally soon after. Our new registration guide covers the documents and steps.
Owning a Vehicle
A few things come up over the years that most owners don’t expect.
Changing your address
If you move within the same state, the RC should be updated with your new address, a simpler process than a full re-registration. Moving permanently to a different state can eventually require a fresh registration there, depending on how long you stay. See our RC address change guide.
Keeping the RC itself
A private (non-transport) RC is valid for 15 years, then renewed in 5 year blocks. Commercial vehicles have shorter validity and need periodic fitness checks. Either way, a digital copy through DigiLocker or the mParivahan app is worth having as a backup.
Selling or Transferring Ownership
The step both sides sometimes forget, or put off.
Ownership Transfer
Whenever a vehicle changes hands, the RC needs to be updated to the new owner’s name. Under Section 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the seller reports the transfer within 14 days (45 days if the vehicle is registered in another state), and the buyer reports it within 30 days. Form 29 and Form 30 are the forms used. Our ownership transfer guide shows both sides, and the document checklist gives the exact papers for your case.
Skipping this isn’t just paperwork neglect: until the transfer is done, the vehicle can still legally show the previous owner as responsible for it, including for any challans or incidents involving the vehicle afterward.
Lost or Damaged RC
This one isn’t tied to a life stage, it can happen any time.
Duplicate RC
If your RC is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you can apply for a duplicate through the Vahan portal. A police complaint or FIR copy is generally needed for a lost or stolen RC, along with a signed affidavit and valid insurance and PUC. The application is made in Form 26. See our duplicate RC guide.
Official fee schedule
Base fees fixed under Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. States add their own charges, road tax and a smart card fee, on top of these.
| Purpose | Fee |
|---|---|
| New registration, motorcycle | ₹300 |
| New registration, car or light motor vehicle (non-transport) | ₹600 |
| New registration, light motor vehicle (transport) | ₹1,000 |
| Duplicate certificate of registration | Half of the new registration fee for that category |
| Transfer of ownership | Half of the new registration fee for that category |
| Change of address on the RC | Half of the new registration fee for that category |
| Any application not covered above | ₹200 |
These are central base fees. Road tax, HSRP charges, and any state-specific additions are shown separately on the Vahan portal before you pay.
Common questions
Can I drive a new vehicle before it’s permanently registered?
Yes, if the dealer has issued a temporary registration or handled registration directly. Driving an unregistered vehicle without either is not permitted.
What if I don’t transfer ownership after selling my vehicle?
It can create real complications, since the vehicle may still legally show you as the responsible owner, including for challans or incidents that happen after the sale. It’s worth completing the transfer, or at minimum notifying the RTO of the sale.
Is my registration valid if I drive to another state?
Yes, a vehicle registered in one state can be used anywhere in India. If you keep it in another state for more than 12 months, though, the law requires re-registering it there, under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Our RC address change guide explains this.
What is BH-series registration?
An optional registration series for people who relocate often between states, government employees, defence personnel, and private-sector employees whose company has offices in 4 or more states or union territories, so they don’t need to re-register every time they move.
Can I get a digital copy of my RC?
Yes, through DigiLocker or the mParivahan app, once the vehicle is registered. A digital copy carries the same legal validity as the physical card. See our download RC guide.
Do I need the original owner present for a duplicate RC?
No, a duplicate RC is applied for by the current registered owner directly, it doesn’t involve the previous owner.
Watch out for agent fraud
Vehicle registration and ownership transfer are common targets for fake “agents” who promise to skip paperwork or speed things up for a fee. Never share your OTP, Aadhaar number, or bank details with anyone offering to arrange registration or transfer outside the official process. Apply and pay only through the official Vahan portal.
Ready to apply?
All vehicle registration and transfer services are handled on the government’s official Parivahan platform, not on this site.