Moved to a new state with your vehicle? Under Rule 47 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, it must be re-registered in the new state within 12 months. The first step is a No Objection Certificate from the original RTO, applied for on Form 28 and valid for 6 months. Here are the prerequisites, the process, and what happens after.
Loading interactive experience…
When a vehicle registered in one state moves permanently to another, its registration must transfer to the new state's RTO - you cannot reside in a new state for more than 12 months while the vehicle stays registered elsewhere. The NOC (No Objection Certificate) is how the original registering RTO releases the vehicle from its records so the new state can accept re-registration. Form 28 is the prescribed application under the CMVR. Temporary movement - road trips, short visits - does not require an NOC; the rule applies to permanent residence.
The RTO verifies all of the following, so get them in order first to avoid delays:
Unpaid challans are the most common reason applications stall - the RTO checks the VAHAN database for outstanding fines against the vehicle.
Download Form 28 from the VAHAN portal or collect it at the RTO, filling in the registration, chassis and engine numbers, current and new addresses, and owner details. Attach the RC, new-state address proof, insurance and PUC certificates, then submit at the registering RTO in your old state - some states accept the initial application online through VAHAN. The RTO verifies the vehicle's status, checks for court orders and dues, and issues the NOC in roughly 7-30 days depending on the office. The fee is typically modest (about ₹100-300, varying by state and vehicle type). Locate the office with our RTO search.
The NOC is valid for only 6 months, so start the new-state process immediately. Visit the new state's RTO with the original RC, the NOC, new address proof, insurance, PUC and Form 33. A new registration number is assigned, and the old one is cancelled in VAHAN. You must pay the new state's road tax, and most states allow a pro-rated refund of unused road tax from the old state - apply at the old RTO. End to end, a well-documented transfer typically takes 45-75 days.
If the vehicle is hypothecated, you need two NOCs: one from the financing bank or NBFC, and then the RTO NOC via Form 28. Get the bank NOC first. For related processes, see the complete RTO guide and the RC transfer guide for ownership changes.
Typically 7-30 working days depending on the RTO. High-volume metro offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru tend to take longer; smaller district RTOs are often faster. Applying online through the VAHAN portal where available can speed things up.
Some states, such as Delhi and Maharashtra, allow the initial application and document upload online through the VAHAN portal. Physical collection of the NOC usually still requires an RTO visit. Check your state transport portal for the current process.
6 months from the date of issue. You must complete re-registration in the new state before it expires, otherwise you have to apply for a fresh NOC. Start the new-state process immediately after receiving it.
You would be in violation of Rule 47 of the CMVR and liable to a fine under the MV Act. Practically, insurance claims can get complicated and any accident creates legal liability issues, so re-register as soon as you establish permanent residence.
Yes - the new state's road tax is payable at re-registration. Most states allow a pro-rated refund of the unused portion of road tax paid to the old state; apply for it at the old state's RTO. Refund timelines vary significantly by state.