How long can I legally drive my out-of-state vehicle in another state without an NOC?

Under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, you can legally drive a vehicle registered in one state in another state for a continuous period of up to 11 months without requiring an NOC or re-registration. However, if you keep the vehicle in the new state for more than 11 months, you must obtain an NOC (Form 28) from your parent RTO, pay local road tax, and apply for a new local registration mark under Form 27.

Does an RTO No Objection Certificate (Form 28) have an expiry date?

While the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 do not explicitly define a rigid expiration date on Form 28 itself, most destination state transport departments (such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi) strictly enforce an administrative validity limit of 6 months from the date of NOC issuance. You should submit your re-registration application in the destination state within 6 months of obtaining the NOC.

Can I get an NOC for my car if it still has an active bank loan?

Yes, but only if your financing bank or NBFC issues a formal Inter-State Relocation No Objection Certificate. The bank authorized signatory must also sign and seal all three copies of Form 28. If the lender refuses consent, you must pay off the entire outstanding loan balance and execute Hypothecation Removal (Form 35) before the RTO can grant the NOC.

How do I claim a road tax refund from my original state after moving to a new state?

To claim a pro-rata road tax refund, you must: (1) Complete re-registration in the destination state and obtain the new RC, (2) Submit an application for tax refund on Form DT / state tax refund format to the original parent RTO, (3) Attach a copy of the new state RC, original tax payment receipt, parent Form 28 NOC copy, and an indemnity bond. The parent RTO verifies the documents with the state treasury and issues a refund check for the unutilized years.

Why do I need to submit three copies of Form 28 for an NOC?

Under Rule 58 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, Form 28 must be executed in triplicate (3 physical copies) for distinct administrative purposes: Copy 1 is retained in the permanent archives of the parent RTO, Copy 2 is dispatched by the parent RTO directly to the destination RTO via registered post, and Copy 3 is handed over to the vehicle owner to present at the destination RTO during re-registration.

Can an NOC be issued if there are pending traffic e-challans on my vehicle?

No. The national Vahan 4.0 database is integrated with the e-Challan network. If your vehicle has any unpaid traffic citations, red-light camera fines, or pending court summons, the system will automatically block the NOC application. You must pay all outstanding fines online on echallan.parivahan.gov.in before the RTO will process Form 28.

Do vehicles registered under the Bharat (BH) series require an NOC when moving across states?

No! That is the revolutionary benefit of the Bharat (BH) series registration. Under MoRTH Notification G.S.R. 594(E), vehicles registered under the BH series are completely exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Form 28 NOC and re-registering when moving across state borders. BH series owners pay road tax online every two years and can relocate freely across India without any RTO interaction.

Vehicle NOC / Inter-State Transfer (Form 28) - RTO Forms, Fees, Guidelines & Checklist | RC Book Service India

1. Overview & What You Need to Know

A No Objection Certificate (statutorily designated as an NOC and executed in Form 28 under Section 48 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 read with Rule 54, Rule 58, and Rule 59 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989) is an indispensable statutory legal clearance issued by the parent Registering Authority certifying that a motor vehicle has no outstanding financial liabilities, unpaid state road taxes, pending traffic e-challans, active police theft reports, or judicial attachment injunctions, thereby permitting its formal removal and legal re-registration in another state or RTO jurisdiction.

Under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988: "When a motor vehicle registered in one State has been kept in another State, for a period exceeding eleven months, the owner of the vehicle shall, in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time, apply to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark and shall present the certificate of registration to that registering authority."

Section 47 establishes the famous "11-Month Inter-State Rule" across India. While an Indian citizen is legally entitled to drive their personal motor vehicle across any state or union territory for temporary tourism, corporate travel, or short-term visits without changing their registration mark, keeping a vehicle in a foreign state continuously for more than 11 months creates a mandatory statutory obligation to re-register the vehicle in the destination state. To assign a new local registration mark (e.g., converting a Maharashtra MH car to a Karnataka KA registration upon relocating to Bangalore), the destination RTO strictly demands an authentic, verified No Objection Certificate (Form 28) issued by the original home RTO.

The necessity for an NOC arises from India federal constitutional structure. Under Entry 57, List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the taxation of motor vehicles is an exclusive State subject. When you purchase a vehicle, you pay Lifetime Road Tax (LTT) exclusively to your home state government. If you permanently migrate your vehicle to another state and utilize its roads, bridges, and transport infrastructure, the destination state demands its fair share of local motor vehicle road tax. The Form 28 NOC serves as the official bilateral administrative bridge between the two sovereign state transport departments, ensuring that the parent state formally surrenders its regulatory jurisdiction while the destination state acquires lawful registration authority.

Crucially, obtaining an NOC from your parent RTO also unlocks your legal right to apply for a pro-rata Road Tax Refund from the original registering state under state motor vehicles taxation rules. Because you paid 15 years of lifetime road tax upfront in your home state but utilized only a portion of that duration, you can submit the new destination state registration certificate alongside the parent NOC to claim a refund for the remaining unutilized years. Understanding the precise legal protocol, documentation safeguards, and common pitfalls of Form 28 is essential for every migrating professional and commercial fleet operator.

Relevant Rule & Forms

Form 28 (Application and Grant of No Objection Certificate in Triplicate) • National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) / State Police Crime Clearance Report • Form 27 (Application for Assignment of New Registration Mark in Destination State) • Form 35 / Financier NOC (mandatory if vehicle is under active bank loan)

Eligibility & Who Can Apply

Eligibility to apply for and obtain an inter-state No Objection Certificate (Form 28) under Section 48 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 requires satisfying clear statutory, financial, and criminal clearance criteria:

1. Registered Owner or Authorized Buyer: The application must be initiated by the verified registered owner appearing on the national Vahan registry, or jointly with a bonafide purchaser if the vehicle is being sold to an individual residing in another state.

2. Clear Criminal & Theft Status: The vehicle must possess an immaculate legal record. It must NOT be flagged as stolen, snatched, or embezzled on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) database or state police stolen vehicle networks. It must not be subject to any active First Information Report (FIR) or fatal hit-and-run investigation.

3. Zero Road Tax Arrears: The vehicle must be fully paid up on all motor vehicle road taxes, local green taxes, and municipal transit levies in the parent state up to the date of application.

4. Total Absence of Pending Traffic Challans: All traffic violation notices, automated red-light camera tickets, and speeding e-challans issued across any police jurisdiction in India must be 100% paid and marked settled on the national e-Challan portal.

5. Financed Vehicles with Bank Endorsement: If the vehicle was purchased through bank financing and the loan is active, the applicant must furnish a formal Inter-State Relocation NOC from the financing institution along with authorized signatures and seals on all three copies of Form 28. If the loan is fully paid off, the applicant must simultaneously submit Form 35 to terminate the hypothecation lien.

6. Ineligibility Exclusions: Under orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years registered in Delhi-NCR are strictly ineligible for NOC issuance to any destination district within the NCR region or to states that ban the entry of older BS-III/BS-IV vehicles. Furthermore, vehicles subject to judicial court attachment orders or commercial vehicles with unpaid passenger tax arrears cannot be granted an NOC.

2. Step-by-Step Procedure (Online & Offline)

Follow these steps to submit your application smoothly:

Settling All Outstanding Traffic e-Challans & Local Tax Arrears

Before applying for a No Objection Certificate, visit the national e-Challan portal (echallan.parivahan.gov.in) and verify that every pending traffic citation, automated camera penalty, and municipal tax default across India is fully paid and settled. Registering authorities are statutorily prohibited from issuing an NOC if any active violation record, pending court summons, or tax default is flagged on the Vahan ledger.

Procuring Financier NOC (If Under Active Auto Loan)

Under Section 51(6) of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, if your vehicle is financed through a bank auto-loan or NBFC lease, the registering authority cannot grant an NOC without the express written consent of the lender. Approach your financing institution to obtain a formal Inter-State Relocation NOC along with authorized signatures and official bank seals on all three copies of Form 28.

Procuring Police Crime Records Clearance (NCRB / State Bureau)

In states requiring local police verification, apply for a Vehicle Crime Verification Certificate through your local State Police Citizen Portal (e.g., Delhi Police, Maharashtra Police, Karnataka Police). The police department checks their automated criminal registry and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) database to certify that the vehicle is not involved in theft, fatal hit-and-run accidents, or criminal cases.

Online Application on Parivahan Sewa Portal (Form 28)

Visit parivahan.gov.in, select "Vehicle Related Services", choose your parent state and home RTO, and enter your vehicle registration number and chassis digits. Select "Application for No Objection Certificate (NOC)". Enter the name of the destination state and the specific destination RTO district where the vehicle will be relocated.

Taking Pencil Chassis Stencil Rubbings on Form 28

Print the computerized Form 28 in triplicate (3 physical copies). Rub a crisp, clear physical pencil tracing of the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stamped on the metal chassis frame directly onto the designated margin of all three copies. Ensure the alphanumeric stamping is sharply legible on every single copy.

Uploading Scanned Dockets & Online Treasury Fee Payment

Upload crisp scanned PDF copies of Form 28 with chassis imprints, valid insurance policy, PUC certificate, bank NOC (if financed), and police clearance. Pay the statutory government NOC fee (₹100 for two-wheelers, ₹300 for cars) plus postal delivery charges through the integrated state treasury gateway and print the payment receipt.

Physical Submission & MVI Scrutiny at Parent RTO

In non-faceless states or jurisdictions requiring physical inspection, submit the complete physical file containing original RC, triplicate Form 28, and receipts to the RTO inward window. The Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) audits the chassis pencil rubbing, inspects the physical vehicle (if summoned), and forwards the docket to the Assistant Registering Authority.

Grant of Form 28 NOC & Vahan Inter-State Migration Entry

The Registering Authority formally grants the No Objection Certificate. The parent RTO signs and seals all three copies of Form 28: Copy 1 is retained in the parent RTO archive, Copy 2 is dispatched directly to the destination RTO via registered post, and Copy 3 (the original citizen copy) is handed over to the vehicle owner. The Vahan database is updated with an "NOC Issued" flag.

3. Required Documents Checklist

Original Vehicle Registration Certificate (Smart Card RC or physical paper booklet)
Form 28 (Application and Grant of No Objection Certificate) executed in triplicate (3 copies) with clear chassis pencil imprint
Crime Record Clearance Report / Stolen Vehicle Clearance Report issued by the local State Police Crime Records Bureau or National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
Valid Motor Vehicle Insurance Certificate (Comprehensive Package or Third-Party Liability Policy)
Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate issued by an authorized automated emissions testing station
Proof of Address of the vehicle owner or purchaser in the destination state (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Registered Rent Agreement)
Proof of Identity of the applicant (PAN Card or declaration in Form 60)
Financier No Objection Certificate (NOC) and signed Form 28 if the vehicle is currently encumbered by an active bank auto loan
Proof of payment of up-to-date motor vehicle road tax in the parent state (tax clearance token or payment receipt)
Chassis Number Pencil Stencil rubbing clearly taken on the designated margin of all 3 copies of Form 28
Commercial vehicles: Valid Permit Surrender Certificate, Fitness Certificate, and Border Tax Clearance
Recent passport-sized photographs of the registered vehicle owner (3 copies with white background)

4. State Variations & Regional Guidelines

Individual State Transport Departments enforce highly divergent operational workflows, police clearance procedures, and local taxation policies regarding inter-state NOCs:

1. Delhi NCT (Faceless NOC Portal): Under the Delhi Faceless Transport Scheme, vehicle owners apply for Form 28 entirely online via transport.delhi.gov.in. Delhi motorists must first obtain a digital Crime Record Report from the Delhi Police Web Portal. Delhi Transport issues NOCs primarily for older vehicles migrating to non-NCR districts in Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh to prevent premature vehicle scrapping under NGT mandates.

2. Karnataka (Strict Inward Tax Enforcement): Karnataka is renowned for aggressive roadside enforcement of Section 47. Transport department enforcement squads actively audit out-of-state vehicles plying in Bangalore (KA-01 to KA-05). Under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, non-KA vehicles staying beyond 30 days are subject to local road tax demands unless the owner can provide documented toll receipts, fuel bills, or transfer letters proving recent entry. When re-registering an out-of-state vehicle in Karnataka, full lifetime tax (13% to 18% of depreciated value) must be paid alongside Form 28 submission.

3. Maharashtra: Allows online submission through the Vahan portal, but mandates the physical submission of triplicate Form 28 dockets with sharp chassis pencil impressions at the jurisdictional RTO (Mumbai, Pune, Thane). Maharashtra RTOs conduct a physical search of regional police crime records before approving the NOC docket.

4. Tamil Nadu & Kerala: Strictly mandate the submission of a physical Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) signed by an officer not below the rank of Circle Inspector or Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) before Form 28 is granted.

5. Road Tax Refund Protocols: Claiming a pro-rata road tax refund from the parent state requires navigating separate state treasury rules. States like Gujarat and Maharashtra have digital tax refund modules, whereas states like Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh require physical submission of the new state RC, Form 28 counterfoil, original tax receipt, and an indemnity bond before the state treasury disburses the refund check.

5. Late Fees & Penalties

The statutory penalties, operational liabilities, and legal risks of failing to obtain an NOC or delaying vehicle re-registration are severe under Indian transport law:

1. Violation of Section 47 (Illegal Operation Beyond 11 Months): Plying a motor vehicle registered in another state beyond the statutory 11-month limit without applying for a new local registration mark violates Section 47 and Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Enforcement squads are empowered to seize and impound the vehicle under Section 207, alongside imposing compounding fines of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.

2. Demand for Immediate Full Road Tax Plus Compounding Penalties: In states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, if an out-of-state vehicle is caught operating without an NOC, the state transport department issues a demand notice for 100% of the state lifetime road tax plus compounding penalty interest of 2% per month calculated from the presumed date of vehicle entry.

3. Total Inability to Sell or Transfer Ownership: If you relocate your vehicle to another state and subsequently decide to sell it to a local resident, the destination RTO will refuse to process the transfer of ownership (Form 29/30) without an authentic Form 28 NOC from your original parent RTO. Procuring an NOC remotely years later is notoriously difficult, often forcing sellers to transport the vehicle back to their home state at enormous personal expense.

4. Road Tax Refund Forfeiture: State governments enforce strict limitation periods (typically 6 months to 1 year from the date of re-registration) for claiming a pro-rata road tax refund. If you delay re-registration or fail to preserve your Form 28 counterfoils, you permanently forfeit your legal right to reclaim thousands of rupees in unutilized road tax paid to your parent state.

6. Electronic Record Validity (DigiLocker & mParivahan)

The modernization of the inter-state NOC procedure under the national Vahan 4.0 cloud infrastructure has greatly reduced bureaucratic friction:

1. Centralized Inter-RTO Digital Bridge: Under Vahan 4.0, when a parent RTO issues a Form 28 NOC, the digital status is updated across the centralized National Informatics Centre (NIC) data lake. When the destination RTO enters the vehicle registration number, the software automatically pulls the verified digital NOC record, eliminating fraudulent physical NOC rackets.

2. Real-Time Application Lifecycle Tracking: The moment Form 28 is submitted online, the applicant receives a 16-digit Application Reference Number. Both the vehicle owner and prospective purchasers can track the progress on parivahan.gov.in across all verification stages: (1) Application Verification, (2) Police Crime Database Audit, (3) Assistant Registering Authority Sanction, and (4) Form 28 Generation.

3. Dynamic QR-Encrypted Digital NOC: Approved NOC certificates generated by Vahan 4.0 feature a cryptographically secured 2D QR code. Scanning the QR code displays the parent RTO code, destination RTO code, owner details, chassis number, and validity date, allowing destination RTO officers to verify document authenticity in seconds.

4. NOC Cancellation Workflow on Vahan: If an owner obtains an NOC but their relocation plans are subsequently cancelled, Vahan 4.0 provides a dedicated "NOC Cancellation" module. The owner submits a Non-Utilization Certificate (NUC) issued by the destination RTO certifying that the vehicle was never registered there, allowing the parent RTO to formally revoke the NOC and restore the vehicle active status.

Vehicle NOC / Inter-State Transfer (Form 28)