If you have bought or sold a used car in Bangalore, the single most important thing to finish after the money changes hands is the RC transfer — getting the Registration Certificate moved into the new owner's name. This guide walks through exactly how to do it within Karnataka, in plain language: the forms, the documents, the fees, the timeline, and how to download the forms from Parivahan.
Think of the RC like the ownership papers on a house. Handing over the keys and taking the cash does not make someone the legal owner — the government record has to be updated too. Until it is, the seller's name is still on the car in the RTO's books, which matters more than most people realise.
This guide covers a within-Karnataka transfer
This is for a car already registered in Karnataka moving to a new owner within the state. If the car is registered in another state and you are bringing it to Karnataka, that is a different, longer process involving an NOC and re-registration — covered in a separate guide.
Why the RC transfer actually matters
In the RTO's records, the owner is whoever is named on the RC — not whoever is driving the car. That single fact is why the transfer is not just paperwork:
- For the seller: if the RC has not been transferred and the new owner gets a traffic challan or is in an accident, the trail leads back to you.
- For the buyer: without the RC in your name, an insurance claim can be rejected — on paper you do not own the car you are insuring.
In short, the transfer legally ends the seller's liability and begins the buyer's ownership. It protects both sides.
The two forms at the heart of it: Form 29 and Form 30
Almost everything about an RC transfer comes down to two forms:
- Form 29 — the seller's notice. The registered owner telling the RTO, "I have sold this vehicle to this buyer." In practice both parties usually sign it, to avoid disputes later.
- Form 30 — the buyer's application. The buyer formally requesting the RTO to transfer ownership into their name.
A simple way to hold it in your head: Form 29 = seller informs, Form 30 = buyer requests. Most RTOs want two copies of Form 30.
Why "Form 29" and "Form 30" — and not Form 1 and 2?
The numbers are not random, and they are not Karnataka's own. Every vehicle form in India is prescribed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 — a single national rulebook — and each form has a fixed number based on its position in that list. So the sequence around ownership runs: 28 = No Objection Certificate, 29 = seller's notice of transfer, 30 = buyer's application to transfer, 31 = transfer on inheritance, 32 = transfer of an auction-purchased vehicle. Because the numbering is national, Form 29 and Form 30 mean the same thing at every RTO in the country.
The step-by-step process
Here is the whole flow at a glance — who does what, and roughly when.
- Step 1 — Check and gather. Confirm there are no pending challans and no open loan on the car. Collect the documents in the table below, and make sure insurance and PUC are valid.
- Step 2 — Fill Form 29 and Form 30. Seller completes Form 29, buyer completes Form 30 (two copies). Every detail — name, address, registration number, chassis and engine number — must match the RC exactly.
- Step 3 — Apply. Either online via the Parivahan portal (upload documents, pay the fee, then usually print the acknowledgement and visit the RTO of residence), or in person at the buyer's local RTO.
- Step 4 — Verification and inspection. The RTO verifies the documents. A vehicle inspection by a Motor Vehicle Inspector may be required.
- Step 5 — New RC issued. Once verified, a fresh smart-card RC is issued in the buyer's name and typically dispatched by post.
- Step 6 — Move the insurance. Update the policy into the buyer's name so cover and ownership agree. Do not skip this — an accident in the gap between transfer and insurance update leaves the buyer exposed.
| S.No. | Document | Purpose | Mandatory / Optional | If you don't have it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Original Registration Certificate (RC) | Proves the car's current registration and ownership | Mandatory | Apply for a duplicate RC at the RTO before transfer |
| 2 | Form 29 (signed) | Seller's notice of transfer to the RTO | Mandatory | Download from Parivahan (steps below); cannot be substituted |
| 3 | Form 30 (two copies, signed) | Buyer's application to transfer ownership | Mandatory | Download from Parivahan (steps below); cannot be substituted |
| 4 | Valid car insurance | Cover must move into the buyer's name | Mandatory | Buy or renew a policy before applying |
| 5 | Valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate | Confirms the car meets emission norms | Mandatory | Get a fresh PUC at any authorised emission centre (quick, inexpensive) |
| 6 | Buyer's ID and address proof (any two) | Establishes the new owner's identity | Mandatory | Passport, voter ID, recent utility bill, ration card or Aadhaar are all accepted |
| 7 | Buyer's passport photo | Identification on the application | Mandatory | Some RTOs ask for a notarised photo with right-thumb impression |
| 8 | Bank NOC + Form 35 | Confirms any loan is closed and hypothecation removed | Mandatory only if the car had a loan | Get the NOC from the financing bank; the RTO rejects transfers with an open loan |
How to download Form 29 and Form 30 from Parivahan
You do not need to buy these forms — they are free to download from the government portal:
- Step 1. Go to the Parivahan portal at parivahan.gov.in.
- Step 2. Open the "Informational Services" menu and choose "Downloadable Forms" (the exact label varies slightly as the site updates).
- Step 3. In the forms list, find Form 29 — Notice of Transfer of Ownership and Form 30 — Application for Intimation and Transfer of Ownership.
- Step 4. Download each as a PDF, then print. Print two copies of Form 30.
Here is roughly what the download screen looks like:
Illustration of the Parivahan download screen — the live site's exact layout and labels may differ.
Tip: fill, then double-check against the RC
Before you sign, lay the filled forms next to the original RC and check every field matches — name spelling, address, registration number, chassis number, engine number. A single mismatch is the most common reason a transfer is sent back.
Fees and how long it takes
RTO fees are modest, but the exact rupee figure changes from time to time and can vary slightly between RTOs — so treat the numbers below as a guide and confirm the current amount on the Parivahan payment screen or at the counter before you pay.
- Transfer fee: typically in the range of ₹300–₹500, plus a smart-card RC fee (commonly around ₹275).
- Deadline: the Motor Vehicles Act requires transfer within 30 days of the sale.
- Late penalty: a penalty applies if you miss the 30-day window. Reported amounts vary widely — from a few hundred rupees up to around ₹5,000 depending on the delay and the RTO — so the safe move is simply to start the transfer as soon as the sale is done.
- Time taken: usually 7 to 20 working days when everything is in order; a busy RTO or any document mismatch can stretch it to 30 days or more.
Mistakes that get transfers rejected or delayed
- A signature, date or address wrong on Form 29 / Form 30
- Buyer and seller details not matching the RC exactly
- Expired insurance or PUC at the time of applying
- Unpaid traffic challans on the vehicle
- An open loan / hypothecation the bank has not yet removed
Clear all five before you apply and the transfer is usually smooth.
Frequently asked questions
Who fills Form 29 and who fills Form 30? The seller fills Form 29 (the notice of transfer); the buyer fills Form 30 (the application to transfer). In practice both often sign Form 29 to avoid later disputes.
How long do I have to transfer the RC? The law requires it within 30 days of the sale. After that you can still transfer, but you may face a late fee or penalty at the RTO's discretion.
Is a PUC certificate really mandatory? Yes. A valid Pollution Under Control certificate is required to complete the transfer, whether you apply online or offline.
What if the car still has a loan on it? You must get a No Objection Certificate from the bank confirming the loan is closed and the hypothecation removed (Form 35). Without it, the RTO will not process the transfer.
What happens if the buyer never transfers the RC? The seller stays the legal owner on record — meaning the seller can be linked to the buyer's challans or accidents, and the buyer's own insurance claim can be rejected. This is why finishing the transfer protects both sides.
Thinking of buying or selling? Before you agree a price, it helps to know what the car is actually worth. Get a free, neutral estimate from AutoKnowMus.