Last updated: September 2026 – form numbers checked against the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Every vehicle registration service in India, from registering a new car to transferring ownership or removing a loan from the RC, uses a numbered form set out in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. This guide explains what each of the main vehicle forms is for and when you’d need it. It also covers the separate forms used for driving licences, since the two are often confused.
Do You Still Need To Download Forms?
Usually not. When you apply for a service through the Vahan portal, the relevant form is built into the online application: you fill in the fields, upload documents and pay, and the system generates the form for you. Printed copies are mainly needed when an RTO asks for signed forms at a verification visit, when you apply entirely offline at the RTO counter, or for services where the buyer and seller must both sign, such as an ownership transfer. Blank forms are available in the download forms section of parivahan.gov.in and at RTO offices.
Main Vehicle Registration Forms
| Form | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Form 20 | Application for registration of a motor vehicle (a new vehicle, usually filed by the dealer) |
| Form 21 | Sale certificate, issued by the dealer |
| Form 22 | Initial certificate of compliance with pollution, safety and roadworthiness standards, issued by the manufacturer |
| Form 22A | The same compliance certificate for vehicles with a separately built body, such as trucks and buses |
| Form 23 | Certificate of registration (the RC) |
| Form 23A | Certificate of registration in electronic form, such as a smart card |
| Form 25 | Application for renewal of registration (non-transport vehicles) |
| Form 26 | Application for a duplicate RC if the original is lost, stolen or damaged |
| Form 27 | Application for a new registration mark when a vehicle is moved to another state |
| Form 28 | Application for, and grant of, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) |
| Form 29 | Notice of transfer of ownership, signed by the seller |
| Form 30 | Application for transfer of ownership, signed by both buyer and seller |
| Form 31 | Application for transfer of ownership after the owner’s death |
| Form 32 | Application for transfer of ownership of a vehicle bought at public auction |
| Form 33 | Intimation of change of address |
| Form 34 | Application to record a hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation (loan) agreement on the RC |
| Form 35 | Notice of termination of a hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement |
| Form 36 | Application by a financier for a fresh RC in its own name |
| Form 38 | Certificate of fitness (transport vehicles) |
| Form 38A | Report of inspection |
The Rules also include forms for testing station authorisations, diplomatic vehicle registration and motor insurance certificates, but those are handled by the authorities, insurers or specialist users rather than ordinary vehicle owners.
Which Form Do You Need?
Forms 34 and 35: Recording and Removing a Loan
These two forms cause the most confusion. When you buy a vehicle on a loan, the lender’s interest is recorded on the RC through Form 34, which is why the RC shows the bank’s name as financier. Paying off the loan doesn’t remove that entry automatically. You need to get Form 35 and an NOC from the lender, then apply to the RTO to remove the hypothecation. Until you do, the bank’s name stays on the RC, which can hold up a sale or an insurance claim. It’s worth doing this as soon as the loan is closed, while the lender’s paperwork is fresh.
Driving Licence Forms Are Different
Driving licence services use their own set of forms and are handled through Sarathi rather than Vahan. The main ones are Form 1 (self-declaration of physical fitness), Form 1A (medical certificate, needed for applicants aged 40 or above and for commercial licences), Form 2 (application for a learner’s licence), Form 4 (application for a driving licence) and Form 9 (application for renewal of a driving licence). As with vehicle services, these are built into the online application on Sarathi. See our guides to applying for a driving licence and renewing a driving licence.
Tips for Filling In Forms
Use the owner’s name exactly as it appears on the RC and ID proof, including initials. Enter the full chassis and engine numbers carefully, since a single wrong character will cause the application to be rejected. Where a form needs signatures from more than one person, such as Forms 29 and 30, make sure every signature is in place before submitting. Keep a copy of every signed form and the payment receipt until the service is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which form is used to register a new vehicle?
Form 20, supported by Form 21 (sale certificate) and Form 22 (manufacturer’s compliance certificate). The dealer usually files these for you.
What is the difference between Form 29 and Form 30?
Form 29 is the seller’s notice that the vehicle has been sold. Form 30 is the application to transfer ownership, signed by both buyer and seller. Both are needed for a transfer.
Are these forms free?
Yes, the forms themselves are free to download. You pay a fee for the service you’re applying for, not the form.
Which form renews a driving licence?
Form 9, through Sarathi. Vehicle forms such as Form 25 are for renewing a vehicle’s registration, not a licence.
Related guides: Vahan E-Services, Transfer Vehicle Ownership, Vehicle RC Status.