According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, all vehicles must be registered with the respective RTO, and the registered number must be displayed on the front and back of the motor vehicle. Once you buy a car, it is mandatory to have it registered in your name to be able to drive legally. Even when buying a used car, the car must be re-registered in your name, especially when buying from another state. In both cases, including the other necessary documents required for vehicle registration, Form 20 is mandatory as it helps the owner get a permanent registration number.
The RTO Form 20 is the vehicle registration form that needs to be filled out and submitted to the RTO along with the other relevant documents. Read further down to find out why Form 20 is required when buying a car and how to procure Form 20 in case you want to register your new vehicle or re-register a used car.
What is Form 20 and why is Form 20 required for buying a car?
RTO Form 20 is the application form used to issue permanent registration numbers to motor vehicles in India. When a new motor vehicle is purchased, the dealer provides a temporary registration number that has to be replaced by a permanent one within 30 days of receiving the temporary number. One has to fill out Form 20 to get a permanent registration number from the RTO to establish ownership of the vehicle and complete the other necessary formalities during the vehicle’s sale. When purchasing a used car from a different state, you must re-register the car in your name when you transfer the registration to your state.
How to get Form 20?
It is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle in India, and that’s why it is mandatory to register any new vehicles that you have purchased or re-register a used vehicle that you have bought from another state. You can get Form 20 by visiting your nearest RTO or download the vehicle registration application form. Then fill out the form and submit it along with all the relevant documents at the nearest RTO.
How to download Form 20 online?
Following are the steps to download Form 20 online:
- Visit the Parivahan website
- From the menu tab, click on the option ‘Informational Services’
- Click on the option ‘Downloadable Forms’ from the drop-down menu
- Next, click on ‘All Forms’
- Scroll down and click on ‘Form 20’ under the vehicle-related category
- A new page will open. Download Form 20.
When is Form 20 issued?
Form 20 is issued or required when a new vehicle is registered under a RTO and re-registering a used car that has been purchased from another state. Along with the other relevant documents, submitting Form 20 is mandatory to get a permanent registration number.
Parts of Form 20
Form 20 has four sections:
- Section 1: Required for all vehicles
- Section 2: Required for all transport vehicles
- Section 3: Includes an inspection certificate
- Section4: For official certification.
How to fill out Form 20?
The following shows the step by step process of filling up RTO Form 20.
- Under point 1, 2 & 3, mention your name, father’s name, and age.
- Point 4 & 5 – mention your present address or permanent address with the duration of stay at the present address
- Point 6 – write your PAN number if your vehicle costs above Rs. 4 lakhs
- Point 7 & 8 – place of birth and the year of migration to India if born outside the country
- Point 10 – date and address of the automobile dealer from where the vehicle was purchased
- Point 11 – In case of an imported vehicle or an army vehicle, enclose the design approval by the State Transport Authority. In that case mention the number and date of approval
- Point 12 – class of the vehicle
- Point 13 – mention if its a new, ex-army or an electric vehicle
- Point 14 to 26 – write about the technical details of the automobile, such as – body type of the vehicle, brand name, date of manufacturing, number of cylinders, horsepower, cubic capacity, wheelbase, chassis number, engine number, seating capacity, fuel, and unladen weight
- Point 27 – in case of a pre-owned vehicle, mention the previous registration number
- Point 28 – body colour of the vehicle, the paint scheme on the wings and front end
- Point 29 to 32 – in case of registering a truck or tempo, additional technical information must be mentioned here, such as specification about tyres, gross vehicle weight, axle weight, dimensions of rigid frame motor vehicles
- Point 33 to 36 – mention the body type, unladen weight, description of tyres and maximum axle weight for each component if you want to register an additional semi-trailer
- Point 37 to 38 – write the details about the vehicle insurance policy, the tenure, name of the company, and exemption (if any)
- Point 39 – mention the fee amount paid for the application of registration of the vehicle
- Sign or insert your thumb impression and mention the date below this point
- After the signature and date, mention the details for the use of the vehicle, whether it is under a hire-purchase agreement, or if it is subject to hypothecation or under lease agreement.
- There is a certificate of inspection and office endorsement after the description of the vehicle type. The Inspecting Authority will affix his signature and mention the date with the registration number in this space.
- If the vehicle is subject to any of the above mentioned agreement, the signature of the Financer with whom any such agreement has been entered into is to be obtained
- At the end signature of the Financier and the vehicle registered owner has to be entered
What documents should be submitted along with Form 20 to the RTO?
Here is the list of documents to be submitted along with Form 20 to the RTO:
- Certificate of valid car insurance policy
- Proof of identity & address
- Proof of birth
- PAN Card
- Invoice issued from the automobile dealer
- Temporary Registration Certificate issued from the dealer or showroom in case of a new car
- Customs Clearance Certificate in case of an imported car
- Fitness certificate (if applicable)
What are the documents needed for registering a new vehicle?
Following are the documents required for registering a new car:
- Completed Form 20
- Form 21
- Form 22
- Attested copy of the valid insurance policy
- Identity proof of the car owner
- Proof of address of the owner
- PAN card, Form 60, or Form 61, whichever is applicable
- In the case of an imported car, a customs clearance certificate has to be enclosed
- Challan receipt
- Affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper worth Rs. 3
- Chassis pencil print
- Form 34, signed by the concerned bank and the owner, in case the vehicle is under a loan
- In certain situations, the fitness certificate of the motor vehicle might be required
What are the documents required for vehicle re-registration when transferred between states?
Following are the documents needed to re-register a vehicle if purchased from another:
- Form 20
- Form 27
- Original state registration certificate
- Duplicate copy of Form 28 (NOC)
- Attested copy of the car owner’s address proof
- Attested copy of the car’s valid car insurance policy
- Attested copy of the PUC certificate
- Fitness certificate in the case of a commercial vehicle
- PAN Card, Form 60, or Form 61 (as applicable)
Summary
Form 20 is the most important application form when it comes to getting a new vehicle registered or re-register a used car bought by the owner from another state in India. Any other necessary documents that have to be furnished at the RTO, have to be submitted with the vehicle registration application Form 20. The above article gives you detailed information regarding the importance of Form 20 and the other required documents to be submitted along with it, the required information to be furnished in the Form 20, etc.
FAQ about Form 20 for buying a car
Q. Why is Form 20 important?
To get a new vehicle registered under the owner’s name or a used car to be re-registered because it has been bought from another state, Form 20 is important to establish the ownership and get a permanent registered number.
Q. What happens if you don’t register your car in 30 days in India?
If you fail to register your new car within 30 days from the date of issue of the temporary registration number, one will have to pay a hefty penalty of about Rs. 4500 and your vehicle may also be impounded.
Q. Who needs Form 20?
Anyone who has bought a new vehicle in India or any owner who has bought a used car from another state must register their vehicle using the Form 20.
Q. How do I submit Form 20?
Download Form 20 online or visit the nearest RTO to get the application form. Once the form is filled out and all the necessary documents to be submitted are attached with the form, one can submit all at the nearest RTO.
Q. Can a 20 year old car be registered in India?
As per Government norms, all vehicles plying on the Indian roads must be re-registered if they are older than 15 years. This is done to ensure it’s safe to be used.
