Inter-State Vehicle Transfer: How to Get a NOC and Re-Register Your Vehicle in a New State

If you are permanently relocating to a different state with your vehicle, the Motor Vehicles Act requires you to re-register it within 12 months of the move. The process involves getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current RTO using Form 28, then re-registering and paying road tax in the new state.

May 28, 2026

6 min read

Quick Info

NOC Fee

₹100 – ₹500 (varies by state)

NOC Validity

3 – 6 months

Total Timeline

30 – 60 days (both RTOs combined)

How the Process Works

An inter-state vehicle transfer is a two-stage process that involves both your old RTO (where the vehicle is currently registered) and the new RTO (where you are moving to). Here is the broad flow:

Get NOC from old RTO

Apply with Form 28 at the RTO where the vehicle is registered. They verify no pending dues and issue a NOC.

Re-register in new state

Submit the NOC and documents at the new RTO. Pay road tax. Get a new registration number assigned.

Claim road tax refund

Apply at the old RTO with Form 16, new RC, and tax receipt to get a pro-rata refund of the road tax you paid earlier.

Step 1: Get NOC from Your Old RTO

The No Objection Certificate (NOC) confirms that there are no pending fines, taxes, court cases, or FIRs against your vehicle. You apply using Form 28 at the RTO where the vehicle is currently registered. Many states now allow this through the Vahan portal online.

Documents for NOC

Form 28 (application for NOC)

Original Registration Certificate (RC)

Valid vehicle insurance certificate

Valid PUC certificate

Road tax payment receipts

Identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID)

Address proof of the new state

If Applicable

Form 35 / NOC from bank (if vehicle is on loan)

Clearance from traffic police (no pending challans)

NCRB report (vehicle not stolen or accident-involved)

The RTO cross-checks the Vahan database for outstanding e-challans, FIR registrations, and court attachments. If everything is clear, the NOC is issued as a digitally signed PDF on your Parivahan dashboard. This typically takes 7 to 21 working days depending on the RTO. In some states, the e-NOC is auto-forwarded electronically to the new state's RTO through the Vahan system.

Clear all dues first. The RTO will not issue the NOC if there are pending e-challans, unpaid road tax, or an active FIR against the vehicle. Check your pending challans on the e-Challan portal before applying.

Step 2: Re-Register in the New State

Once you have the NOC, you apply for re-registration at the RTO in your new state. The vehicle will get a new registration number belonging to the new state. Some states handle parts of this online through the Vahan portal, but most require at least one RTO visit for vehicle inspection.

Visit the new RTO with your vehicle

Bring the vehicle for physical inspection. The RTO staff will verify the chassis number and engine number against the RC and NOC records.

Submit documents

Hand over the NOC (or e-NOC reference), original RC, insurance certificate, PUC, identity proof, address proof in the new state, and passport-size photographs.

Pay road tax and registration fee

Pay the road tax applicable in the new state (this varies widely, typically 5% to 17% of the vehicle value) along with the registration fee.

Get new registration number assigned

The RTO will assign a new registration number from the new state. You will need to get new number plates (HSRP) fitted with the new number.

Collect the new RC

The updated RC smart card is processed and either delivered via speed post or collected from the RTO. This typically takes 15 to 30 working days.

Update your insurance and DL too. After getting the new RC, inform your motor insurance company about the new registration number. Also update the address on your driving licence to match your new state.

Road Tax: Pay in New State, Claim Refund from Old State

Road tax is state-specific, so when you re-register in a new state, you pay the full road tax there. You can then claim a pro-rata refund of the unused portion from the old state. Here is how the refund works:

Refund is calculated on a pro-rata basis

The old state refunds the unused portion of your lifetime road tax. For example, if you paid lifetime tax for a 15-year period and move after 5 years, you may get approximately 66% back.

Documents for refund

Submit Form 16 (tax refund application), a copy of the new state RC, Form 28 NOC copy, road tax receipt from the new state, and your bank account details at the old RTO.

Refund timeline

After the old RTO verifies the re-registration with the new RTO (via CRTI certificate), the refund is typically processed within 3 to 6 months. Some states take longer.

Apply within the time limit

Most states require you to apply for the refund within 6 months of the NOC or re-registration. Missing this deadline can result in the RTO declining your application.

Road tax refund is manual. As of 2026, there is no online process for claiming road tax refunds in most states. You will need to submit the documents in person at the old RTO. MCD parking fees and smart card charges are not refundable.

Important Points

Keep these things in mind to avoid delays and complications:

12-month deadline

If your vehicle stays in a different state for more than 12 months, re-registration becomes mandatory under the MV Act. Some states enforce a stricter 6-month timeline.

NOC validity is limited

The NOC is valid for 3 to 6 months depending on the state. Complete the re-registration before it expires. If it lapses, you will need to apply for a fresh NOC.

Hypothecation must be cleared first

If the vehicle is on a loan, get Form 35 (hypothecation termination) from the bank before applying for the NOC. The RTO will not process the NOC with an active loan on record.

BH-series plates skip this process

Vehicles with Bharat Series (BH) registration do not need NOC or re-registration when moving between states. BH plates are designed for people with transferable jobs. Road tax is paid on a 2-year cycle instead of lifetime.

Changed your mind? If you decide not to move after getting the NOC, you can cancel it by visiting the old RTO and requesting a Non-Utilisation Certificate (NUC). The vehicle will remain registered in the original state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in another state without re-registering?

Yes, for up to 12 months. If you are staying temporarily (less than 12 months), you do not need to re-register. However, if the stay becomes permanent or exceeds 12 months, re-registration is mandatory.

Can I apply for the NOC online?

Many states now allow Form 28 NOC applications through the Vahan portal. Log in, select your vehicle, choose the inter-state transfer service, upload documents, and pay the fee. Some states still require a physical RTO visit for verification.

What happens to my old registration number?

Your old registration number is cancelled once re-registration is complete. The vehicle gets a new number belonging to the new state. You will need new HSRP plates with the new number.

Do I need to pay road tax twice?

You will pay road tax in the new state first. Then you can claim a pro-rata refund of the unused portion from the old state. So you effectively pay the difference if the new state has a higher rate, or get money back if it has a lower rate.

What is BH-series registration and should I get it?

Bharat Series (BH) registration is a pan-India registration for people with transferable jobs (defence, central/state government, PSUs, and private sector employees). BH-registered vehicles do not need NOC or re-registration when moving between states. If you relocate frequently, it is worth considering for your next vehicle.

Start your inter-state transfer

Head to the Vahan portal to apply for your NOC online, or check your vehicle details before visiting the RTO.

Visit Vahan Portal Check Vehicle Details