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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBefore paying for a used car in India, check that the Registration Certificate (RC) matches the vehicle and seller, inspect the insurance and Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, and make sure the ownership-transfer paperwork is ready. A normal sale generally uses Forms 29 and 30. If the transfer crosses the registering authority’s jurisdiction, check whether a Form 28 No Objection Certificate (NOC) and additional state-specific documents are required.
Documents to check before you buy
Parivahan Sewa’s normal-sale transfer list includes the RC, insurance certificate, PUC certificate, and transfer forms. Check the originals or otherwise verify the documents through the relevant official channel; do not rely solely on a seller’s verbal assurance.
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- Registration Certificate (RC): Match the registration details to the car, and check that the seller is the registered owner. The RC is also part of the ownership-transfer application.
- Insurance certificate and policy: Check that the paperwork is available, then contact the insurer to confirm the policy’s status, coverage, and transfer process. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for vehicles plying on public roads, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate: Check that the certificate is available; Parivahan includes it in the normal-sale transfer documents.
- Tax and supporting papers, where applicable: Ask the registering authority which additional documents it needs. Parivahan notes that some supporting items may vary by state.
Forms 29 and 30: the core ownership-transfer paperwork
For a normal sale, Forms 29 and 30 are central to reporting and applying for the change of ownership. Parivahan describes Form 29 as the transferor’s notice of transfer and Form 30 as the transferee’s application/report for ownership transfer. Its guidance says: “Where the ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred, the transferor shall report the fact of transfer in Form 29 to the registering authorities concerned in whose jurisdiction the transferor and the transferee reside or have their places of business.” This is Parivahan Sewa, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.
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Use the current versions available from Parivahan’s official forms page, and confirm submission requirements with the relevant RTO or official portal. Parivahan’s guidance page states that the transferee should make the Form 30 application within 14 days for a vehicle registered within the same state, and within 45 days for a vehicle registered outside the state. These are the timings shown on that guidance page; confirm the current process for your transaction with the registering authority.
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When an NOC or interstate paperwork may apply
If the car is to be removed or sold beyond the jurisdiction of the registering authority where it is registered, Parivahan describes applying for an NOC using Form 28. Its listed supporting documents include the RC, insurance, evidence that motor vehicle tax is up to date, and PUC. The interstate transfer guidance also lists NOC-related evidence among the additional papers that may be needed.
Requirements can depend on the vehicle’s registration jurisdiction and destination. Check with the relevant RTO or destination state’s transport department whether Form 28 applies, what tax evidence is needed, and which additional documents must accompany the application. Do not assume that a checklist for one state covers every state.
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Confirm insurance transfer with the insurer
IRDAI says an existing motor-insurance policy may be transferred to the buyer when the seller informs the insurance company in writing. Ask the seller to notify the insurer, and contact the insurer yourself to confirm the policy record and coverage status. Filing the RC transfer does not, by itself, establish that the insurer has updated the policy.
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A practical paperwork check before completing the sale
- Match the car, RC, and seller: Confirm that the registration details identify the vehicle you are buying and that the seller is the registered owner.
- Review the insurance and PUC documents: Check their availability and verify the insurance policy and transfer procedure with the insurer.
- Establish the transfer route: Find out whether the vehicle and transaction remain within the same state and registering-authority jurisdiction, or whether out-of-jurisdiction paperwork may apply.
- Prepare the transfer forms: Confirm that Forms 29 and 30 are completed as required and check the current submission process with the RTO or official portal.
- Ask about local additions: Verify any state- or case-specific identity, address, tax, or other supporting documents directly with the relevant authority.
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