Inter-State RC Transfer in India: NOC, Road Tax & Re-registration (2026)

Moving your car from one state to another permanently? You need NOC, road tax credit, new registration, and a new number plate. Here's the complete process.

May 20268 min read

Key Takeaways

1Get Form 28 (NOC) from the seller's/original state RTO before the vehicle moves - this is mandatory.
2Pay road tax in the new state - you can claim a proportional refund/credit from the old state.
3Get a new state registration number and number plate - the old state number is cancelled.
4Total process takes 60–90 days if done correctly with all documents in order.
5Driving for more than 12 months in a new state without re-registration is an offence under MV Act Section 47.

When Is Inter-State Transfer Required?

If you relocate permanently (or for an extended period) to another state, or if you buy a used vehicle that is registered in a different state, you need to complete inter-state RC transfer and re-registration. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Section 47) requires that a vehicle be re-registered in the new state if it has been there continuously for more than 12 months.

Simply changing the ownership address on the RC (within the same state) is not inter-state transfer - that is an address change with the same state RTO. Inter-state transfer involves: obtaining NOC from the original state, paying road tax in the new state, applying for new registration, and getting a new number plate.

There is also the scenario of buying a used car from another state. If you buy a Delhi-registered car and live in Karnataka, you cannot simply do an ownership transfer - you must do a full inter-state transfer with re-registration in Karnataka. This is more complex and time-consuming than an intra-state transfer.

Temporary relocation (less than 12 months) does not require re-registration. If you are posted to another city/state for 6–9 months and plan to return, you can drive on your home state registration. Keep employment letter or other proof of temporary relocation.

Step 1: Obtain Form 28 (NOC) from the Original State RTO

Form 28 is the 'Application for No Objection Certificate' (NOC) for the removal of a vehicle from a state. This must be obtained from the RTO where the vehicle is currently registered, before the vehicle is taken to the new state (or as soon as you decide to re-register it).

To get NOC (Form 28), visit the original RTO (or apply online via the Parivahan portal if the RTO is Vahan 4.0-enabled). Submit Form 28 with: original RC, insurance certificate, PUC certificate, identity proof, and application fee (typically ₹200–300). The RTO will check that there are no outstanding challans, no loan encumbrance (hypothecation) on the vehicle, and no pending court cases.

The NOC is typically issued within 7–15 working days. It is valid for 6 months from the date of issue - you must complete re-registration in the new state within this period. If it expires, you have to apply for a fresh NOC.

Form 28 application fee: ₹200–300 (varies by state)
Documents: Original RC, insurance certificate, PUC, identity proof, address proof
Pre-conditions: No outstanding challans, no hypothecation, no court cases on vehicle
NOC validity: 6 months from date of issue
Processing time: 7–15 working days at most RTOs

If the vehicle has hypothecation (car loan), you CANNOT get NOC for interstate transfer without first getting the bank's consent in writing. The bank must agree to the interstate movement. Some banks have state-specific vehicle finance registrations and may object.

Step 2: Pay Road Tax in the New State

Every state levies a one-time road tax (also called Motor Vehicle Tax) at the time of vehicle registration. When re-registering in a new state, you must pay road tax in the new state. However, you are entitled to a proportional refund (or credit) of the road tax paid in the original state, for the unexpired period.

Road tax rates vary significantly by state. Karnataka, for example, levies road tax of approximately 13–17% of vehicle value for private cars (based on age and value brackets). Delhi levies 4% for vehicles up to ₹6 lakh and 7–10% for higher-value vehicles. When you move from Delhi to Karnataka, you will pay Karnataka's higher road tax and can claim a partial refund from Delhi's RTO for the unexpired period of your original road tax.

Road tax refund calculation: if you paid lifetime road tax of ₹30,000 in Delhi on a 5-year-old vehicle (which has a 15-year life expectancy), the unexpired period is 10 years out of 15, so the refund is ₹30,000 × 10/15 = ₹20,000 approximately. The process involves filing Form 16 with the original state RTO. Processing can take 3–6 months.

Road tax refund is a right under the Motor Vehicles Act, but it requires active follow-up with the original state RTO. Many vehicle owners skip this step and forfeit the refund. For vehicles with high road tax payments, it is worth pursuing - the amounts can be significant.

Step 3: Apply for New Registration in the New State

With the NOC from the original state and road tax receipt from the new state, you can now apply for new registration at the new state's RTO (the one with jurisdiction over your new address). Submit Form 20 (application for new registration) along with all documents. The RTO will issue a new registration number from the new state's number series.

At the time of application, the RTO will verify the vehicle - this includes a physical inspection (chassis/engine number check), road worthiness assessment for older vehicles, and verification of all documents. For vehicles more than 15 years old in the new state, additional fitness certificate requirements may apply.

The new RC (smart card) will show the new state registration number. The old registration number from the original state is formally cancelled. You must replace the old number plate with the new state number plate within the time specified by the RTO (typically 30 days after new RC is issued).

Form 20: Application for assignment of new registration mark
Documents: Original NOC (Form 28), road tax payment receipt, original RC, insurance, PUC
New registration fee: ₹200–600 depending on state and vehicle type
Smart card fee: ₹200 (uniform under MV Act rules)
High Security Registration Plate (HSRP): mandatory for vehicles registered after April 2019, and now being enforced on older vehicles too

Walkthrough: Delhi to Bangalore (KA) Inter-State Transfer

Let us trace the complete journey for moving a Delhi (DL) registered car to Bangalore and re-registering it in Karnataka (KA). The car is a 2019 Maruti Swift, fully paid off (no loan), currently at MH-01 error - it was registered at DL-4C (Janakpuri) RTO in Delhi.

Step 1: Visit DL-4C (or apply online via the Parivahan portal). Submit Form 28 application for NOC. Pay ₹250 fee. Wait 10–14 working days. Collect NOC - valid for 6 months.

Step 2: Drive or transport the vehicle to Bangalore. Within the 6-month NOC validity, visit the local Karnataka RTO based on your Bangalore address (e.g., ARSTO East if you live in Indiranagar, KA-05 Yeshwantpur if you live in the west). Submit road tax payment - Karnataka may levy approximately ₹35,000–50,000 depending on vehicle value. Then apply for new registration.

Step 3: File Form 16 with DL-4C to claim refund of Delhi road tax for the unexpired period. For a 2019 vehicle (approximately 7 years old at transfer time), you may claim refund for 8 remaining years out of 15. If Delhi road tax paid was ₹20,000, refund ≈ ₹10,600. Track the refund status - it can take 3–6 months.

Step 4: Receive new KA-XX-XXXX registration number. Update RC. Replace number plates with HSRP plates bearing the KA number. Inform insurer about new registration number - update policy accordingly.

Total elapsed time: If all documents are ready and both RTOs respond promptly, the complete process takes 60–90 days. Common delays: NOC taking longer than expected, Karnataka RTO queue, and road tax refund from Delhi.