If you remember only one thing about selling a vehicle in India, make it this: file Form 29 and Form 30 within 14 days of the sale. These two forms are the official way you tell the transport department "this vehicle is no longer mine" — and they help keep your record clear and reduce the chance of someone else's challans turning up against your name later.
What each form is
| Form | What it does | Filed by |
|---|---|---|
| Form 29 | Notice of transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle, given to the RTO. | Seller (transferor) |
| Form 30 | Report of transfer of ownership — the seller's report, acknowledged by the buyer. | Seller, with buyer's confirmation |
Think of Form 29 as the notice ("I am transferring this vehicle to X") and Form 30 as the report that puts the transfer on record and brings the buyer into the picture. They travel together.
The 14-day rule
Under the transfer-of-ownership rules, the seller must report the transfer to the registering authority — using Form 29 — within 14 days of the sale. If the buyer and seller fall under different RTOs, a copy goes to each.
Already past 14 days? File them anyway, immediately. A late filing is far better than none — it still creates the record that you sold the vehicle and starts shifting responsibility off your name.
Where and how to file
- File at the RTO where the vehicle is registered. If the buyer lives under a different RTO, submit the second Form 29 copy there too.
- Attach the signed sale agreement, copies of both parties' ID/address proof, and the RC details.
- Many states accept the transfer application through the Parivahan portal, with Form 29/30 as part of the online flow.
- Keep stamped acknowledgements — this is your proof of filing.
What happens if you skip them
Skipping Form 29/30 is exactly how sellers end up liable years after a sale. Without the filed notice:
- The RTO record still shows you as owner.
- Challans and toll violations by the new driver come to you.
- In an accident, compensation claims can name you as the registered owner.
- You have no easy way to prove when the vehicle left your possession.
Make it painless: DealerDocs is designed to help you prepare a Form 29/30 checklist alongside your sale agreement, so the 14-day step is easier to stay on top of (checklist support where available).
Useful official links
Always confirm current rules, fees and forms on the official portals:
Stay on top of Form 29/30.
Checklist support alongside a clear, structured sale agreement record.
Get launch updateFrequently asked questions
What's the difference between Form 29 and Form 30?
Form 29 is the notice of transfer of ownership given to the RTO; Form 30 is the report of transfer filed by the seller and acknowledged by the buyer. They're used together.
How many copies of Form 29 are needed?
Usually two — one for the seller's RTO and one for the buyer's RTO when they differ.
What if I don't file them?
The record keeps showing you as owner, so challans and liabilities can land on you. File within 14 days to create the official record that you sold the vehicle.