RTO Bike Ownership Transfer

Before beginning the ownership transfer process, it is important to understand two commonly used terms. The transferor is the current owner or seller transferring the vehicle, while the transferee is the buyer or new owner who is receiving the ownership.

Here’s why it is important to do a two-wheeler ownership transfer: 

Transferor perspective: 

• Facilitate sale: 

If you are selling your bike, you need to provide key documents to facilitate a successful sale. The bike ownership transfer document is one of the necessary documents. 

• Free yourself from liabilities: 

Since you are the registered owner of the bike in the official records, you will continue to be recognised as the owner until ownership is formally transferred. Given this, traffic fines or accidents involving the bike may still be linked to your name. Therefore, it is important to transfer ownership to the new owner to avoid future liabilities.

Transferee perspective: 

• Establish legal ownership: 

You may have purchased the bike and taken possession of it, but the most important question is: Are you the legal owner in the eyes of the law?  Hence, it is important to complete the bike transfer process to establish yourself as the legal owner before the law. 

• Insurance continuity: 

The bike insurance claim will be honoured only if you are the bike's legal owner according to the official records. 

• Future sale: 

Suppose you purchase a bike and decide to sell it later. You can make a future sale only if the ownership is in your name. Therefore, transferring the bike to your name to resell it easily and at the right price is important.

You can do a bike ownership transfer in the following scenarios: 

Normal sale: 

A normal sale in which the current owner transfers ownership of the bike to a new owner. Below are the guidelines for bike ownership transfer: 

• The transferor must submit Form 29 to the RTO having jurisdiction over the transferor's residence, the transferee's residence, or a common jurisdiction area.

• The transferor must submit Form 30 to the respective RTO if the sale has taken place within the same state. The form should be submitted within 14 days of taking possession of the bike. Along with the form, the documents listed in the “Document A” section must also be submitted.

• The transferor must submit Form 30 to the respective RTO if the sale has taken place outside the state. The form should be submitted within 45 days of taking possession of the bike. Along with the form, the documents listed in the “Document A” & “Document B” sections must also be submitted.

• Both parties must pay the applicable fees and taxes as per Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act.

Death of the legal owner: 

If the legal owner of the bike passes away, the ownership can be transferred to the legal heir. The following pointers explain how the bike ownership transfer will take place: 

• The legal heir must submit Form 31 to the respective RTO. The form must be submitted within three months of the legal owner's death. 

• The legal heir must pay the applicable fees and taxes as per Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act. 

Public auction purchase: 

If a bike is purchased through a public auction conducted by the Central or State Government, its ownership must be transferred from the legal owner to the new owner. The below-mentioned pointers explain how the bike registration transfer will take place: 

• The transferee must submit Form 32 to the respective RTO. The form should be submitted within 30 days of taking possession of the bike. 

• The transferee must pay the applicable fees and taxes as per Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act. 

   

Following are the documents required for bike ownership transfer in various scenarios:

Normal Sale: 

• Form 29

• Form 30

• Document A: 

• Certificate of registration

• Certificate of insurance

• Certificate of pollution under control*

• PAN card (seller and purchaser) or Form 60*

• Pencil Print of Chassis & Engine Number *

• Proof of Date of Birth of purchaser(If applicable)*

• Proof of address*

• Purchaser's undertaking*

• Passport-size photograph*

• Tax clearance certificate*

• Document B:

• A no-objection certificate granted by the registering authority

• An order of the registering authority refusing to grant the no objection certificate; or

• Where the no objection certificate or the order, as the case may be, has not been received, a declaration by the transferor that he has not received any such communication together with: 

• The receipt obtained from the registering authority; or

• The postal acknowledgement received from the registering authority to which the application for a no-objection certificate has been sent by post.

   

Death of the legal owner: 

• Form 31

• Certificate of registration

• Certificate of insurance

• Death certificate in relation to the registered owner

• Certificate of pollution under control*

• PAN card (successor) or Form 60*

• Pencil Print of Chassis & Engine Number *

• Proof of Date of Birth of the successor*

• Proof of address*

• Signature Identification of Seller*

• Declaration by the applicant and all other Legal Heirs of the deceased*

• Verification of vehicle on Form 20*

• Passport-size photograph*

• Proof of succession*

   

Public auction purchase: 

• Form 32

• Certificate of registration

• Certificate of insurance

• Certificate or order confirming the sale of the vehicle in his favour duly signed by the person authorised to conduct the auction; and

• Certified copy of the order of the Central Government or State Government authorising the auction of the vehicle

• Certificate of pollution under control*

• PAN card (seller and purchaser) or Form 60*

• Pencil Print of Chassis & Engine Number *

• Proof of Date of Birth of purchaser (If applicable)*

• Proof of address*

• Purchaser's undertaking*

• Passport-size photograph*

Documents with an asterisk mark (*) may be required in some states. 

Follow the below-mentioned steps to complete the bike ownership transfer online: 

1. Log in to the Parivahan portal. 

2. Click on “Online Services”. 

3. Click on “Vehicle Related Services”. 

4. Enter the bike’s registration or chassis number. 

5. Click on “Generate OTP”. 

6. You will receive an OPT on the registered mobile number. 

7. Enter the OTP in the designated box. 

8. Click “Submit”.

9. Click “Service Details” and select “Transfer of ownership”. 

10. Click on “DMS” and upload all necessary documents. 

11. Click on “Submit”. 

12. Proceed to pay the applicable fee. 

13. You will be directed to the payment gateway. 

Once the payment is successfully completed, the bike ownership transfer process will commence.

Bike ownership transfer is the legal process of transferring a two-wheeler from the current owner to the new owner. To complete the transfer, both parties must fulfil the applicable legal and documentation requirements. Along with updating the ownership records at the Regional Transport Office (RTO), it is equally important to transfer the bike insurance policy to ensure uninterrupted coverage and avoid future liabilities or disputes.

Once the ownership transfer is complete, updating the motor insurance policy is equally important to ensure the new owner enjoys uninterrupted coverage. SBI General Insurance offers a simple online process for bike insurance renewal and policy-related services, along with access to a wide network of support and dedicated 24/7 customer assistance, helping make the transition smoother for the new owner.

1. Is the seller responsible for accidents after selling the bike?

If the bike's ownership is not transferred, the seller may be linked to an accident, as they remain the legal owner in official records.

2. Can ownership be transferred if the original RC is lost?

Yes, ownership can be transferred if the original RC is lost. However, you need to have a Duplicate RC for it. 

3. What should I do if the previous bike owner is unavailable?

The transfer of vehicle ownership may not be processed unless supporting legal documents are provided in case the previous owner is unavailable.

4. Can a bike be sold without transferring ownership immediately?

Ideally, you should not sell/purchase a bike if its ownership is not transferred via the RTO transfer process. 

5. How can I track the status of my ownership transfer application?

You can track the status of your ownership transfer application by visiting the Parivahan portal. 

Note: The given information has been compiled from digitally available resources and is indicative in nature. It is subject to change due to several factors. Individuals are advised to verify information with their nearest RTO before proceeding.