📜 In This Article
- What is an NOC and When Do You Need It?
- Complete Inter-State Transfer Journey
- Before Applying — Pre-NOC Checklist
- Understanding Form 28
- Documents Required
- Apply for NOC Online via Vahan Portal
- Apply for NOC Offline at RTO
- Re-Register Vehicle in the New State
- Fees Breakdown
- Timeline — How Long Does It Take?
- Common Errors and Fixes
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NOC and When Do You Need It?
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for vehicle transfer is an official document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where your vehicle is currently registered. It certifies that there are no pending dues, challans, taxes, or legal objections against the vehicle in the current state — and grants permission for the vehicle to be transferred to and re-registered in another state.
When is NOC Required?
- Moving permanently to another state and taking your vehicle with you (stay exceeding 12 months)
- Selling a vehicle to a buyer in a different state
- Transferring ownership where buyer and seller are in different states
- Inheriting a vehicle registered in another state
- When the buyer's address is in a different state from where the vehicle is registered
When is NOC NOT Required?
- Transfer within the same state — even if transferring between different RTO districts within the same state, NOC is generally not required
- Short-term visits to another state (less than 12 months)
- Change of address within the same state RTO jurisdiction
Complete Inter-State Transfer Journey
Inter-state vehicle transfer involves three distinct phases. Understanding the complete picture before you start prevents confusion and delays.
Pre-NOC Prep
Clear challans, clear loan (if any), ensure valid insurance + PUC
Apply for NOC
Submit Form 28 at original state RTO (online or offline)
Receive NOC
NOC issued by RTO — valid 6 months from issue date
Re-Register
Apply at new state RTO with NOC, pay road tax, get new RC
New RC Issued
New state registration number + RC in your name
📌 Phase 1 — Original State RTO
- Clear all pending challans
- Clear loan (if any) — get Form 35 NOC from bank
- Apply for vehicle NOC (Form 28)
- Police clearance (if required)
- Receive NOC certificate
🚗 Phase 2 — Transit
- Drive to new state with NOC + original RC
- Keep all original documents accessible
- If stopped at checkpost, show NOC as proof
- Do not wait — complete re-registration quickly
🏢 Phase 3 — New State RTO
- Apply for fresh registration
- Pay new state road tax
- Vehicle inspection at RTO
- New registration number issued
- New RC in your name with new state code
Before Applying — Pre-NOC Checklist
Complete all of these before submitting your NOC application. The RTO will reject or block the application if any of these are outstanding:
- Pay all pending traffic challans — check and pay at echallan.parivahan.gov.in. Wait 24–48 hours after payment for the Vahan database to reflect the cleared status. The NOC cannot be issued if any challan is outstanding.
- Clear FASTag dues — ensure no negative FASTag balance linked to your vehicle. Top up or deactivate the FASTag before proceeding.
- Valid insurance certificate — the vehicle must have active insurance at the time of NOC application. If expired, renew it first. After getting the new RC in the new state, update the insurance address accordingly.
- Valid PUC certificate — a current Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is mandatory for all RTO service applications.
- Clear vehicle loan (if any) — if your vehicle is under hypothecation, you must first close the loan, get Form 35 NOC from the bank, and complete hypothecation termination on the Vahan portal before the RTO will issue the interstate NOC. See our Remove Hypothecation guide.
- Valid RC (not expired) — ensure your vehicle's registration is not expired. Renew it before applying for NOC.
- Road tax cleared in current state — ensure all road tax dues for the current state are paid. The RTO verifies tax clearance before issuing NOC.
Understanding Form 28 — Application for NOC
Form 28 is the official prescribed form under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 for applying for a No Objection Certificate for interstate vehicle transfer. It is required in triplicate (3 copies) — one for the applicant, one for the issuing RTO, and one sent to the receiving state's RTO.
What Form 28 Contains
- Vehicle details: Registration number, chassis number, engine number, make and model, fuel type, and vehicle class
- Owner details: Full name, permanent address, and contact details of the registered owner
- Purpose: Reason for NOC — interstate transfer for sale, change of residence, or ownership transfer
- Destination details: Name of the state and RTO to which the vehicle is being transferred
- Declaration: Owner's declaration that the vehicle has no pending dues, challans, or legal proceedings
- Owner's signature
Where to Get Form 28
- Download free from parivahan.gov.in under the Forms section
- Collect a physical copy from the RTO counter
- For online applications, Form 28 is integrated into the Vahan portal — you fill it digitally during the application
Documents Required for NOC Application
- Form 28 — filled and signed in triplicate (3 copies)
- Original RC (Registration Certificate) — must be submitted or verified by the RTO
- Valid insurance certificate — current and active policy
- Valid PUC certificate — current Pollution Under Control certificate
- Proof of identity — Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or PAN Card
- Proof of address in new state — Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, or utility bill showing new state address (confirms genuine interstate relocation)
- Road tax clearance certificate — proof that all road tax dues in the current state have been paid
- Bank NOC and Form 35 — if vehicle was under loan (hypothecation already terminated)
- Chassis and engine number pencil print — pencil rubbing of chassis plate and engine number (required by most RTOs)
- Passport-sized photographs — 2 recent photographs of the vehicle owner
- Police clearance certificate — some states require a No Criminal Activity certificate from the local police confirming the vehicle is not involved in any criminal case or theft. Check with your specific RTO.
Apply for NOC Online via Vahan Portal
The online NOC application through the Vahan portal is the recommended method in states where it is available. It reduces the number of RTO visits and speeds up the process.
-
1Go to vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/, enter your vehicle registration number, and click "Proceed."
Visit the Vahan portal and enter your vehicle registration number -
2Log in with your registered mobile number (OTP verification). New users register with mobile number and email — takes under 2 minutes.
-
3Click on "Online Services" from the top navigation menu on the Vahan Citizen Services page.
Click Online Services from the Vahan Citizen Services page -
4From the dropdown, select "NOC" or "Application for No Objection Certificate."
-
5Enter the last 5 digits of your chassis number and click "Validate Regn_no/Chasi_no." Confirm your vehicle details are correct.
-
6Click "Generate OTP" and enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number. Click "Submit."
-
7Fill in the NOC service details (Form 28 online) — select the reason (interstate transfer / sale), enter the destination state and RTO to which the vehicle is being transferred, and any additional details required.
Enter the destination state, RTO, and reason for inter-state transfer -
8Update your insurance details — enter current insurance policy number and validity. This is mandatory for all Vahan applications.
-
9Review the fee panel and pay online via UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. Save the payment receipt.
-
10Upload all required documents — Form 28, RC, insurance, PUC, proof of identity, address proof in new state, road tax clearance, and bank NOC (if applicable). Ensure all files are clear JPG or PDF format, under 500 KB.
Upload Form 28 and all required documents for NOC application -
11If required by your state, book an RTO appointment for vehicle inspection and document verification. Some states require a physical visit; others are entirely faceless (online-only).
-
12Download the acknowledgement receipt with your application reference number. Use this to track the NOC status on the Vahan portal.
-
13Once approved, go back to the Vahan portal → "Print No Objection Certificate" → enter vehicle details → download the NOC as a PDF. Also keep a physical printed copy for presenting during transit and at the new state RTO.
Apply for NOC Offline at the RTO
If online NOC services are not supported in your state, or you prefer an in-person process, visit the RTO where your vehicle is registered.
-
1Collect Form 28 from the RTO front desk or download and print 3 copies from parivahan.gov.in. Fill all details carefully in capital letters using black ink.
-
2Attach all required documents — Form 28 (3 copies), original RC, insurance, PUC, ID proof, address proof in new state, road tax clearance, pencil prints, and photographs.
-
3Submit the complete application at the RC Services desk / NOC counter at your RTO. The RTO officer will inspect the vehicle (chassis and engine numbers) and verify all documents.
-
4Pay the NOC fee at the RTO counter. Collect the acknowledgement receipt with your application reference number.
-
5The RTO may also request a police clearance certificate — a letter from the local police station confirming the vehicle is not reported stolen and is not involved in any criminal case. Arrange this in advance if your state requires it.
-
6Collect or receive by post the NOC certificate once your application is approved (typically 7–30 working days). The NOC is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
Re-Register Your Vehicle in the New State
Once you have the NOC from the original state, you must register the vehicle in the new state within the NOC's 6-month validity. This is done at the new state's RTO.
Documents Needed at the New State RTO
- NOC from original state RTO — original, within 6-month validity
- Original RC from current/old state
- Valid insurance certificate — updated with new state address
- Valid PUC certificate
- Proof of address in new state — must match the new state where re-registering
- Proof of identity
- Passport-sized photographs — 2 recent
- Road tax payment receipt — new state road tax must be paid at the new RTO
- Form 20 — Application for registration of motor vehicle (new state registration form)
- NCRB clearance — National Crime Records Bureau certificate confirming the vehicle is not stolen (required by many RTOs for interstate registration)
Road Tax in the New State
When re-registering in a new state, you must pay road tax to the new state. Road tax rates vary significantly between states and are calculated based on the vehicle's current market value (depreciated cost). Typical rates range from 2% to 12% of the vehicle's current value.
New Registration Number
After re-registration is complete, your vehicle is assigned a new registration number with the new state's RTO code. A new RC in your name with the new state registration is issued and dispatched by speed post. Your old number plates must be replaced with new HSRP plates bearing the new registration number.
Fees Breakdown
| Fee Component | Amount | Paid To / When |
|---|---|---|
| NOC Application Fee | ₹100 – ₹500 | Original state RTO (online or at counter) |
| Police Clearance Certificate | ₹0 – ₹200 | Local police station; free in most states |
| Road Tax (new state) | 2% – 12% of vehicle value | New state RTO; varies widely — largest expense |
| New State Registration Fee | ₹300 – ₹1,000 | New state RTO (varies by vehicle class) |
| Smart Card RC (new state) | ₹200 | New state RTO; for new RC printing |
| HSRP Number Plates | ₹400 – ₹1,100 | Authorised HSRP vendor in new state; mandatory new plates |
| Road Tax Refund (from old state) | Pro-rata amount | Received from original state after Form 16 submission |
How Long Does the Complete Process Take?
| Stage | Time Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear challans and dues | 1–2 days | Payment + 24–48 hrs for database update |
| Clear hypothecation (if applicable) | 2–4 weeks | Bank NOC + Vahan update; biggest delay if loan active |
| NOC application online | 30–60 min | Once all documents are ready |
| RTO processes NOC | 7–30 working days | Varies widely by state. High-traffic RTOs take longer. |
| Police clearance (if required) | 3–15 days | Some states require this as part of NOC process |
| Re-registration at new state RTO | 7–21 working days | After submitting all documents and paying road tax |
| New RC dispatched | 7–14 days | After new state RC approval; speed post delivery |
| Total (end to end) | 1.5 – 3 months | From decision to drive with new state RC |
Common Errors and Fixes
Outstanding traffic challans or FASTag dues prevent the NOC from being processed.
Your vehicle still shows an active bank loan (hypothecation) in the Vahan database.
The 6-month NOC validity elapsed before the re-registration in the new state was completed.
The chassis number, engine number, or owner name on the NOC does not match the RC or the vehicle documents presented at the new state RTO.
Some states have not fully integrated the online NOC application into the Vahan portal and still require an offline process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. An NOC from the original state RTO is mandatory for all permanent interstate vehicle transfers — whether for a sale, change of residence, or ownership transfer between people in different states. Without an NOC, the new state RTO will not register the vehicle.
Yes, you can drive with the old RC and NOC for up to 12 months after moving to a new state. However, you should complete re-registration as early as possible to avoid penalties and complications. After 12 months, driving with an out-of-state registration can result in fines or vehicle detention.
Form 28 is required in triplicate — 3 copies. One copy stays with the applicant (you), one is retained by the original state RTO, and one is forwarded to the destination state RTO. Some RTOs ask for a 4th copy — confirm with your specific RTO before visiting.
Yes, if you paid lifetime road tax in the original state, you can apply for a pro-rata refund using Form 16 at the original state RTO. Submit it along with the new state's registration proof, the original tax payment receipts, and the old RC. The refund is calculated for the remaining portion of the registration period.
Yes. When you re-register in a new state, your vehicle is assigned a new registration number with the new state's RTO code. Your old number plates must be replaced with HSRP plates bearing the new number. Update your insurance policy with the new registration number after receiving the new RC.
The NOC is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You must complete re-registration in the new state within this period. If the NOC expires, apply for a fresh one from the original state RTO.
Not all states require it. Some RTOs request a police clearance certificate (confirming the vehicle is not stolen or involved in criminal proceedings) as part of the NOC process. Check with your specific RTO. If required, visit your local police station with the RC and a letter requesting clearance — it is usually issued within 3–15 days at no or nominal cost.
You can initiate the sale, but the buyer in the other state cannot complete the ownership transfer (Form 30) and re-registration without the NOC. The NOC is a prerequisite for the new state RTO to process the registration. Apply for the NOC simultaneously with the ownership transfer paperwork to avoid delays.