When you buy, sell, or modify a vehicle in India, you’ll often hear about “RTO forms.” These are official documents issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to record vehicle-related activities like registration, ownership transfer, loan hypothecation, and more. Knowing what each form does can save you time, money, and a few unnecessary trips to the RTO.
Let’s break down the most important RTO forms — from Form 20 to Form 35 — in simple language.
Form 20 – Application for Registration of a Motor Vehicle
This is the very first form you’ll fill out when buying a new vehicle. It’s submitted to the RTO to register your car or bike under your name.
Example:
If you buy a new Maruti Swift from a dealership, the dealer usually fills out Form 20 and submits it online to the RTO for permanent registration.
Form 21 – Sale Certificate
This form acts as proof that a vehicle has been sold by the dealer to a buyer. It’s essential for vehicle registration.
Real-world use:
When you buy from an authorized showroom, they hand over Form 21 as part of your vehicle document set.
Form 22 – Roadworthiness Certificate
This is a manufacturer-issued certificate confirming that your vehicle meets safety and emission standards.
Tip: Always check that Form 22 is stamped and signed by the manufacturer before submission.
Form 23 – Registration Certificate (RC)
Once your vehicle is registered, the RTO issues Form 23 — your Registration Certificate. It includes your registration number, chassis number, and other details.
You can also download a digital version from the mParivahan app.
Form 28 – No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Planning to sell your car in another state or move permanently? You’ll need Form 28. It ensures there are no pending dues, challans, or cases on the vehicle.
Example:
If you’re shifting from Delhi to Bengaluru with your car, the Delhi RTO must issue a Form 28 before re-registration in Karnataka.
Form 29 & Form 30 – Transfer of Ownership
- Form 29 notifies the RTO that you’ve sold your vehicle.
- Form 30 confirms the transfer to the new owner.
Case Study:
A Mumbai car owner sold his Honda City to a buyer in Pune. He submitted Form 29 and 30 online via parivahan.gov.in, which helped both parties avoid legal issues later.
Form 34 – Hypothecation of Vehicle
If you bought your vehicle on loan, Form 34 links your vehicle with the bank or finance company until the loan is cleared.
Example:
After buying a bike on EMI from Bajaj Finance, the dealer submits Form 34 to register the vehicle as “hypothecated.”
Form 35 – Termination of Hypothecation
Once your loan is paid off, Form 35 removes the bank’s name from your RC book.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to submit this to the RTO after getting the NOC from your bank — many owners miss this step and face delays while selling their vehicle.
Conclusion
RTO forms might look like a maze, but once you know their purpose, handling vehicle paperwork becomes easy. Always keep digital copies of these forms, and use official portals like parivahan.gov.in for updates or online submissions.
Next Step:
If you’re buying or selling a vehicle soon, bookmark this guide — or check our related post:
“Step-by-Step Guide to Vehicle Ownership Transfer in India.”
Internal Linking Suggestion: Link to guides on “How to Check E-Challan Online” or “Vehicle Registration Process Simplified.”
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