NOC from RTO for Inter-State Vehicle Transfer - Form 28 & Full Process

Moved to a new state with your vehicle? You need an NOC from the original RTO and then re-registration in the new state within 12 months. Here's the full process.

May 20265 min read

Key Takeaways

1When you move permanently to a new state, your vehicle must be re-registered in the new state within 12 months.
2The first step is getting an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the RTO where the vehicle is registered - Form 28.
3NOC is valid for 6 months - you must complete re-registration before it expires.
4Prerequisites: valid insurance, valid PUC, no pending challans, loan NOC (if hypothecated).
5Some states allow partial online application for NOC; physical document collection usually still requires an RTO visit.

Why an NOC is Needed for Inter-State Transfer

When a vehicle registered in one state is permanently moved to another state, the vehicle's registration must be transferred to the new state's RTO. This is a legal requirement under Rule 47 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules - you cannot permanently reside in a state for more than 12 months while your vehicle remains registered in a different state.

The NOC (No Objection Certificate) is the mechanism by which the original registering RTO 'releases' the vehicle from its records, allowing the new state's RTO to accept re-registration. Think of it as a clearance certificate from your old RTO.

Form 28 is the prescribed application form for an NOC under the CMVR. It is submitted to the registering RTO (the RTO in your old state) and once approved, issued as a certificate that you carry to the new state's RTO.

Temporary movement (visiting another state, a road trip) does not require an NOC. The 12-month rule applies to permanent residence - when you've actually shifted your primary residence to a new state.

Prerequisites Before Applying for NOC

The RTO will verify all of the following before issuing an NOC. Ensure everything is in order before applying to avoid delays: (1) Valid vehicle insurance - the policy must be active and not expired. (2) Valid PUC certificate - must not be expired. (3) No pending traffic challans - the RTO checks the VAHAN database for outstanding challans against the vehicle. Pay all pending challans before applying. (4) Valid road tax - road tax for the current period must be paid in the originating state. (5) No pending loan/hypothecation issues - if the vehicle has an active loan, you need a NOC from the bank/NBFC that financed the vehicle (separate from the RTO NOC). (6) No RTO-level dues - fitness certificate renewals (for commercial vehicles) must be current.

Clearing pending challans is the most common step people miss. Use the VAHAN portal or state traffic police portal to check and pay all outstanding challans before submitting Form 28.

Valid insurance certificate (in force)
Valid PUC certificate (in force)
All traffic challans paid (check VAHAN)
Road tax paid and current
Bank NOC if vehicle is under hypothecation/loan
Fitness certificate current (for commercial vehicles)

The NOC Application Process - Step by Step

Step 1: Download Form 28 from the VAHAN portal or the MoRTH website, or collect it from the RTO. Fill in vehicle registration number, chassis number, engine number, current address, new address (the state you're moving to), and owner details. Step 2: Attach supporting documents: RC (Registration Certificate), address proof for new state (rental agreement, Aadhaar with new address, utility bill), insurance certificate, PUC certificate.

Step 3: Submit Form 28 at the registering RTO in your current (old) state. In some states, this initial application can be done through the VAHAN portal online - upload documents and pay the NOC fee. Step 4: The RTO processes the application - this involves verifying the vehicle's status in the VAHAN database, checking for any court orders, and confirming no dues are pending. Step 5: The RTO issues the NOC. Timeline: 7–30 days depending on the RTO. Delhi and Mumbai RTOs can take closer to 30 days; smaller RTOs are often faster.

The NOC is valid for only 6 months from the date of issue. If you don't complete the re-registration in the new state within 6 months, the NOC expires and you must apply for a fresh one. Start the new state re-registration process immediately after receiving the NOC.

After Getting the NOC - Re-Registration in New State

Once you have the NOC from your old state's RTO, you have 6 months to re-register the vehicle in your new state. Visit the new state's RTO with: the original RC, the original NOC (Form 28 issued by old RTO), your new address proof (Aadhaar, rental/ownership documents), insurance and PUC certificates, and Form 33 (application for new state registration).

The new state RTO will assign a new registration number for the vehicle. You will receive a new RC with the new registration number and state code. The old registration number is cancelled in the VAHAN database.

Road tax: you will need to pay the new state's road tax at the time of re-registration. Most states offer a refund of the unused portion of the old state's road tax - apply for this refund at the old state's RTO before or after getting the NOC (the process varies by state).

NOC for Vehicles Under a Loan (Hypothecated)

If your vehicle is hypothecated (under a car loan), the lender's name appears on the RC as the hypothecation holder. For inter-state transfer, you need two separate NOCs: (1) NOC from the bank/NBFC that financed the vehicle - confirming they have no objection to the vehicle moving to a new state. (2) NOC from the RTO (Form 28) as described above.

The bank NOC is obtained by writing to your bank's loan department or through the bank's online portal/customer service. Some banks issue this quickly; others take 7–15 days. Get the bank NOC first, then apply for the RTO NOC.