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Moving your vehicle to another state
Taking your car or bike to a new state? You need an NOC from your old state, a new registration in the new state, and you pay road tax again. You can often get part of the old tax back. Buying a used vehicle from another state? The same rules apply. Answer a few quick questions to see what it will cost you.
In short
- Get an NOC from your old state
- Re-register in the new state within 12 months
- Pay road tax there (less for older vehicles)
- Claim part of your old tax back
Moving your own vehicle: step by step
- Get an NOC from your current RTOBefore you move, or soon after. Apply online on the Vahan site or at the RTO where your vehicle is registered. You get Form 28, a letter saying the old state has no objection. Clear any pending challans and loan first.Usually 7 to 15 days
- Move the vehicleKeep the RC, NOC, insurance and PUC in the vehicle. You can drive it in the new state for up to 12 months before you must re-register.Up to 12 months
- Apply for new registration in the new stateGo to the RTO near your new home (many states let you start online on Vahan). Submit the documents, pay the road tax and registration fee, and bring the vehicle for a quick inspection.Usually 1 to 3 weeks
- Get your new number plate and RCYou get a new registration number for the new state. Fit the new high security number plate (HSRP) and collect the new smart card RC.1 to 2 weeks
- Claim your road tax refund from the old stateMany states give back part of the road tax you paid. Apply to the old RTO with the new RC, NOC and old tax receipt. Some states have a time limit, so do this soon.Varies by state
- Update your insuranceTell your insurer the new registration number and address, so a claim is not rejected later.Same day
Buying a used vehicle from another state
You pay road tax in your own state, just as if you had moved the vehicle yourself. The refund from the old state goes to the seller, because the seller paid that tax. Do the change of owner and the new registration together at your RTO.
- Check the vehicle before you payOn the Vahan site, check the registration details, any unpaid challans, and whether a bank loan is still shown on the RC. Match the chassis and engine numbers with the RC.Before you pay
- Ask the seller to get an NOC in your state's nameThe seller applies at their RTO for an NOC (Form 28) that names the RTO in your state. If there was a loan, the seller also needs the bank's loan closure letter (Form 35).Usually 7 to 15 days
- Collect the papers from the sellerOriginal RC, NOC, signed Forms 29 and 30, the seller's ID and address proof, insurance, PUC and a sale letter or receipt with the price.At the time of sale
- Move the insurance to your nameAsk the insurer to transfer the policy to you. Do this within 14 days of buying.Within 14 days
- Register it in your name in your stateAt your local RTO, apply for the new registration and the change of owner together. Pay your state's road tax (based on the vehicle's age) and the fees, and bring the vehicle for inspection.Apply within 30 days of buying
- Get your number plate and RCYou get a number from your state and a new RC in your name. Fit the new high security number plate (HSRP).1 to 2 weeks
Papers to collect from the seller
Documents to keep ready
Tick what you have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.
Words you will hear
- RTO
- Regional Transport Office. The government office that registers vehicles.
- NOC
- No Objection Certificate. A letter from your old RTO saying you can take the vehicle to another state.
- Road tax
- A one-time tax each state charges when a vehicle is registered there. It pays for the vehicle's life in that state.
- Re-registration
- Getting a new number from the new state. Required if the vehicle stays there more than 12 months.
- HSRP
- High Security Registration Plate. The new tamper-proof number plate.
- BH series
- A national number plate for people who move often for work. No re-registration needed when you move.
How each state charges
Road tax for a vehicle coming from another state, and whether you get a refund when you leave. "How sure" tells you how well we could confirm the state's rules.
| State | Road tax when you bring a vehicle in | Refund when you leave | How sure | Official check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | You pay Delhi's one-time tax on the vehicle's original cost, reduced by one tenth for every full year since first registration; vehicles over 10 years old pay nothing but need an endorsement. | Yes. Delhi refunds the unused part of the one-time tax when you move out, but the exact refund scale was not confirmed from an official source. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Maharashtra | You pay a share of the Maharashtra one-time tax that a new vehicle of the same price would pay, and the share gets smaller the older your vehicle is. | Yes. Section 9(6) lets you claim back part of the one-time tax when you move the vehicle to another state, but the refund formula by age could not be confirmed from the official text. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| West Bengal | A car or two-wheeler brought from another state pays West Bengal's life-time tax, reduced for age: cars pay from 100 percent (under 1 year) down to 36 percent (over 10 years), two-wheelers lose 5 percent per completed year down to a floor of 40 percent. | Yes. West Bengal refunds part of the life-time tax when you move out: cars get 80 percent back within 3 years, falling to nothing after 12 years; two-wheelers lose 5 percent for each year or part year and get nothing after 14 years. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Tamil Nadu | You pay Tamil Nadu life tax as a percentage of the vehicle's original purchase price, using a slightly lower rate the older the vehicle is. | Partly. Tamil Nadu law has a refund clause, but no published scale for refunding life tax when you move out, and owners report it is hard to get. | Good | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Karnataka | You pay a share of the Karnataka lifetime tax a new vehicle of the same price would pay, from 93% for a vehicle up to 2 years old down to 25% for one over 15 years old, plus cess. | Yes. When you move out, Karnataka refunds a share of the lifetime tax you paid, from 93% in the first year down to 25% at 15 years and nothing after that. | Fair | Not officially verified |
| Telangana | Telangana charges a fixed percentage of the vehicle's original price that depends on its price band and age, for example a 5 to 6 year old car of ₹10 to 20 lakh pays 15% of its price instead of 18% new. | Yes. Guides say you can claim back part of the Telangana life tax after re-registering in another state, but the official refund rate by age could not be confirmed. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Gujarat | Gujarat's Act says a vehicle brought from another state pays the same lump sum tax as a new one (6 percent of the invoice cost), and no reduction for age was found in the Act, so older vehicles may pay the full amount; confirm at the RTO. | Yes. Gujarat law allows a refund of lump sum tax when the vehicle moves to another state, but the amount is decided by the RTO under rules whose scale was not found. | Rough | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Uttar Pradesh | You pay the UP one-time tax a new vehicle of the same price would pay, reduced by 5% for each year of use, but never below 25% of it. | Yes. UP law allows a refund of one-time tax once you have paid tax in the new state, but the current refund scale by age was not found. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Bihar | You pay a share of Bihar's one-time tax on a new vehicle of the same price, from 95% for a vehicle 1 to 2 years old down to 25% for one over 15 years old. | Yes. When the vehicle leaves Bihar or its registration is cancelled, Bihar refunds a share of the one-time tax, from 95% in the first year down to 30% in the 14th year and nothing after that. | Rough | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Rajasthan | You pay the Rajasthan one-time tax on the current price of a similar new vehicle, reduced by 10% for each financial year (or part of one) since first registration, for up to 8 years, plus the 12.5% surcharge. | Yes. Rajasthan keeps 10% of the one-time tax for every financial year or part year since the tax was due and refunds the rest. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Madhya Pradesh | MP charges its lifetime tax on vehicles from other states, less the small quarterly tax the vehicle would have paid in MP until then, and that deduction can never be more than half the lifetime tax. | Yes. MP refunds the lifetime tax minus the quarterly tax that would have been due for the time the vehicle was in MP. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Haryana | You pay Haryana's one-time tax on today's showroom price of a similar vehicle, reduced by 7% for each year tax was paid in another state, with the reduction capped at 56%. | No. Haryana law does not appear to refund one-time tax when you move a vehicle out of the state. | Fair | Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source |
| Kerala | We could not confirm Kerala's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Kerala refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Andhra Pradesh | We could not confirm Andhra Pradesh's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Andhra Pradesh refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Punjab | We could not confirm Punjab's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Punjab refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Odisha | We could not confirm Odisha's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Odisha refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Assam | We could not confirm Assam's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Assam refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Jharkhand | We could not confirm Jharkhand's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Jharkhand refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Chhattisgarh | We could not confirm Chhattisgarh's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Chhattisgarh refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Uttarakhand | We could not confirm Uttarakhand's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Uttarakhand refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Goa | We could not confirm Goa's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Goa refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Chandigarh | We could not confirm Chandigarh's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Chandigarh refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Himachal Pradesh | We could not confirm Himachal Pradesh's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Himachal Pradesh refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
| Jammu and Kashmir | We could not confirm Jammu and Kashmir's road tax rules for a vehicle from another state. Ask the RTO before you buy or move. | Partly. We could not confirm whether Jammu and Kashmir refunds road tax when you move out. | Rough | Not officially verified |
Apply on vahan.parivahan.gov.in, the official vehicle portal for all these states.
Move often for work? Look at the BH series.
A BH (Bharat) number plate works in every state, so you never re-register. It is for government and defence staff, and private sector employees whose company has offices in 4 or more states. Ask your dealer or RTO when buying a new vehicle.
After you apply
What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.
Track your application
Typical time
Could not confirm an official processing time. It depends on the RTO and how fast the old state sends its records.
Not officially verified
If you do not have it or miss the deadline
A vehicle kept in a new state for more than 12 months must get a new registration mark there. Missing this can bring a fine of ₹500 under the general penalty, and the RTO may ask for extra road tax. This is not confirmed on an official page.
Law: Motor Vehicles Act 1988 section 47 and 177
Not officially verified
Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them
| Reason | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the old state RTO is missing | Apply for the NOC from the old RTO first and upload it. |
| Road tax paid in the old state is not adjusted or refunded | Get the road tax refund or credit paper from the old RTO and pay the balance in the new state. |
| Pending challans or loan on the vehicle | Clear the challans and get the bank NOC before applying. |
| Address proof is not from the new state | Upload a valid address proof from the new state. |
Not officially verified
Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.
Free formats you may need
Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.
Common questions
Do I have to re-register my vehicle when I move to another state?
Yes, if the vehicle will stay in the new state for more than 12 months. Until then you can use it on your old number, with the RC, insurance and PUC in the vehicle.
I am buying a used car registered in another state. What do I pay?
You pay road tax in your own state based on the car's original price and age, plus the ₹600 registration fee, ₹300 change of owner fee and ₹200 smart card. The seller can claim the refund of the old state's tax. Use the calculator and choose Buying a used vehicle.
Do I pay road tax twice?
You pay road tax again in the new state, reduced for the age of the vehicle in most states. You can usually claim back part of the tax you paid in the old state, so the real cost is the difference.
How much does it cost to transfer a car to another state?
Mostly the new state's road tax, which depends on the car's price, age and fuel, plus a ₹600 registration fee and ₹200 for the smart card RC. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate.
What is the BH series and can I use it?
BH (Bharat) series is a number plate valid across India, so you do not re-register when you move. It is open to central and state government staff, defence personnel, and private sector employees whose company has offices in 4 or more states. Road tax is paid every 2 years instead of once.
Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal
Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.
Gaadi ka dusre state mein transfer ka application status kaise check karein?
Official link par application ya reference number daalkar status dekhein. Link upar 'After you apply' mein diye hain: Check your application status on Vahan, Parivahan Sewa home. Apply karne ke baad kam se kam utna time rukein: Could not confirm an official processing time. It depends on the RTO and how fast the old state sends its records..
Gaadi ka dusre state mein transfer ka application reject ho jaye to kya karein?
Portal par likhi wajah padhein, galat ya dhundhle document badalkar dobara apply karein. Sabse aam wajah aur unka solution upar 'After you apply' mein diye gaye hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official site se pakka kar lein.
Bina Gaadi ka dusre state mein transfer ke pakde gaye to kya hoga?
Kanoon (Motor Vehicles Act 1988 section 47 and 177) ke tahat jurmana ya saza ho sakti hai. Rakam aur details upar 'After you apply' mein English mein di gayi hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official source se pakka kar lein.
Rates are from each state's Motor Vehicles Taxation Act and transport department where available, and from reliable guides where official pages could not be reached. Each row shows when it was last checked on an official page; rows without a date are not officially verified. Always confirm the final amount with the RTO.
Selling or buying a used vehicle? See RC transfer (change of owner) · New vehicle registration · Check pending e-challans before you move · HSRP number plate · All personal documents