The Punjab Transport Department has simplified the RC transfer process for old vehicles. The requirement for an OTP sent to the mobile number of the previous owner has been removed. The transfer process can now be completed after identity verification through Aadhaar card and the prescribed documents.
The Punjab Transport Department has made changes to the RC transfer process for people buying and selling old vehicles. For transferring the RC of cars, motorcycles, scooters, trucks and other vehicles to a new owner, an OTP sent to the previous owner's mobile number will no longer be mandatory. The transfer process can be completed after verification of the vehicle ownership documents and the identity of the concerned person.
The new arrangement will apply to the purchase and sale of old cars, motorcycles, scooters, trucks and other vehicles. The identity-related process will be completed using the Aadhaar card along with the documents prescribed by the department. After this verification, the vehicle's RC can be transferred in the name of the new owner.
The change is particularly relevant in cases where the previous owner's mobile number is no longer available after the vehicle has been sold or where there are difficulties in receiving the OTP. Such situations could delay the RC transfer process. With the removal of dependence on OTP, these difficulties can be reduced.
Last year, the Transport Department had made it mandatory to link the previous owner's mobile number with the documents during the RC transfer process for old vehicles. The objective was to establish the identity of the actual vehicle owner and verify the relevant documents.
Under that system, when an old vehicle was transferred to a new owner, an OTP was sent to the previous owner's mobile number. The subsequent process could be completed only after the OTP was verified.
A key objective behind introducing the mobile OTP system was to verify information regarding the actual ownership of the vehicle. The process was also considered useful for verifying vehicle-related information in cases involving stolen vehicles or disputes.
However, in practice, receiving the OTP on the previous owner's mobile number could sometimes become a challenge for buyers and vehicle dealers. This was particularly the case when there was a considerable gap between the purchase of the vehicle and the RC transfer, or when it was difficult to contact the previous owner.
The department has now removed this requirement. Identity verification will instead be carried out through the Aadhaar card and the prescribed documents.
Under the new arrangement, the relevant documents will be examined for transferring the RC of an old vehicle. The identity-related process can be completed through the Aadhaar card.
The process is intended to ensure that the required documents related to vehicle ownership are available and that the identity can be verified. Once the document verification is completed, the process of transferring the RC in the name of the new owner can proceed.
This may make it easier for buyers to transfer the RC after purchasing an old vehicle. They will no longer have to wait for an OTP to reach the previous owner's mobile number. The documentary process may also become easier for vehicle dealers to complete.
However, the other documents prescribed for RC transfer and the applicable departmental rules will continue to have to be followed. The removal of the OTP requirement does not mean that the other documents related to vehicle ownership are no longer required.
Dealers involved in the purchase and sale of old vehicles have described the Transport Department's change as convenient for customers. Car dealers Shashikant and Anoop said that removing dependence on the previous owner's mobile OTP would provide relief to vehicle buyers.
According to the dealers, customers often have to contact the previous owner after purchasing a vehicle to transfer the RC into their own name. If the OTP does not reach the previous owner's mobile number or the owner cannot be contacted on time, the process can be affected. The new arrangement will reduce such dependence.
This may directly affect the process of buying and selling old vehicles. Buyers will be able to proceed with transferring the RC into their name after completing the document and identity verification process.
RTO Mankawal Singh said that the vehicle's RC can now be transferred in the name of the new owner after completing the identity-related process through the prescribed documents and Aadhaar card.
The change introduced by the department has removed the requirement for the old vehicle owner's mobile OTP. This may provide particular convenience to people who faced OTP-related difficulties while completing the RC transfer process after purchasing an old vehicle.
Verification of identity and documents will remain important under the new process. Therefore, people purchasing vehicles will need to keep the documents required for RC transfer complete. The vehicle's registration can be transferred into the new owner's name only after verification is completed as part of the departmental process.
Overall, the Punjab Transport Department's change removes dependence on the previous owner's mobile OTP during the RC transfer process for old vehicles. The process can now proceed after identity verification based on the Aadhaar card and the prescribed documents.
