Punjab Transport and Vehicle Registration Process

The Punjab Transport Department operates under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 (Section 213). The primary objectives of the department are to ensure the rules and laws formed under the MV Act are enforced and citizens are provided with quality services in terms of their transport related needs. It also undertakes the enforcement of the rules formed under the Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act.

Why Is Vehicle Registration Necessary

As per Chapter IV of the Motor Vehicles Act, no person is allowed to use a motorised vehicle in India. The violation of the same may lead to legal action. In the same way, a two wheeler insurance or a car insurance too is a must have for each motor vehicle in India. The following are some of the most important processes related to vehicle registration in Punjab:

• Temporary registration of the vehicle
• Permanent registration of the vehicle
• Renewal of vehicle Registration Certificate
• Issue of duplicate Registration Certificate
• Change of address in the Registration Certificate
• Endorsement/termination of hire-purchase agreement

Punjab Transport Temporary Registration

For temporary registration of the vehicle, the following documents are required:

• Form 21 - Sales certificate of the vehicle
• Form 22/22A - Roadworthiness certificate provided by the manufacturer
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate
• Vehicle insurance certificate
• Address proof
• Approval of design issued by the STA in case of Trailer or Semi-Trailer vehicle
• Form 21 - Sales certificate issued by the concerned authority (in case of an ex-army vehicle)
• Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported vehicles)
• Fee for temporary vehicle registration or its extension is Rs.50 unless exempted (as per Rule 42(10) of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules)
• Payment of tax as per the provisions of Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act

Punjab Transport Permanent Registration

For permanent registration of the vehicle, an application should be made to the registering authority in Form 20 within 7 days after the vehicle is delivered to the buyer. The application must be submitted along with the following documents:

• Form 21 - Sales certificate of the vehicle
• Form 22/22A - Roadworthiness certificate provided by the manufacturer
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate
• Vehicle insurance certificate
• Address proof
• Approval of design issued by the STA in case of Trailer or Semi-Trailer vehicle
• Form 21 - Sales certificate issued by the concerned authority (in case of an ex-army vehicle)
• Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported vehicles)
• Applicable registration fee as per Rule 81 of CMV Act
• Tax as prescribed under Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act

Assignment of Vehicle Registration Number

Unless a vehicle owner applies for a fancy vehicle registration number, the registration number is assigned based on the last number allotted in the series. The first two letters on the number plate are the code of the state where the vehicle is registered. The next two-digit number is the code assigned to the RTO where the vehicle registered. The third part of the number plate is a 4-digit registration mark assigned to a vehicle. A registration number is always allotted from the range of 0001 to 9999. Once this series is over, two additional letters are placed before the registration number and the same range of numbers is used again.

Fancy Number Registration

Out of all the available numbers for vehicle registration, certain numbers are kept aside by the state transport authority as special numbers. These numbers are allotted through an open auction. The highest bidder is allotted the registration number after payment of the prescribed fee. The registering authority may allot unsold/unutilised numbers to vehicles owned by the state government at no extra charge. Also, if a vehicle owner wants to retain the registration number of their old vehicle for a new vehicle, they shall be charged 50% of the registration fee fixed for the number.

Renewal of Certificate of Registration

The RC for a non-commercial/private vehicle remains valid for 15 years from the date of vehicle purchase. It should be renewed at least 60 days before the date of expiry. The vehicle is inspected for its roadworthiness and a new RC is issued for the vehicle. After the first renewal, the RC should be renewed in the interval of every 5 years. The application for the renewal of RC can be made in Form 25 along with the following documents:

• Original Registration Certificate of the vehicle
• Vehicle PUC Certificate
• Vehicle insurance certificate

Application For Duplicate Vehicle RC

In case the owner of a vehicle loses or misplaces his/her vehicle RC, an application for a duplicate RC can be made in Form 26. If the vehicle is under hypothecation, the application form should be attested by the financer as well. The applicant shall pay the fee prescribed under Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act. The following documents need to be submitted along with the application:

• Police FIR (stating loss of the vehicle RC)
• Original Registration Certificate (in case it’s damaged)

Transfer of Vehicle Ownership

In case a vehicle owner sells his/her vehicle or transfers the possession of the vehicle to another person, the application should be made in Form 29 and Form 30 (if covered by a financer). The following documents are to be submitted with the application:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Vehicle insurance certificate
• No Objection Certificate (in case the vehicle is registered outside Punjab)
• No Objection Certificate from the financer (if the vehicle is under hypothecation)
• Vehicle PUC Certificate
• Address proof of vehicle owner
• Affidavit stating sale/purchase of the vehicle from the seller/purchaser

How To Obtain No Objection Certificate

To get an NOC for the purpose of registering the vehicle in another state, an application can be made in Form 28 (in 3 copies) to the registering authority where the vehicle was previously registered. The below-mentioned documents are to be submitted along with the application:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Address proof of the applicant

PB RTO Office Locations and PB RTO Codes