Steps By Step Process To Change Ownership of Bike

Transferring ownership of a bike is a common affair, however, it requires a handful of paperwork. If you’re planning to do the same, be careful to do the procedure right. That way you retain all the rights of the two-wheeler required for its sale or future use.

Also Read: Cashless Garages for Bike Insurance Policy

When Do You Need to Change the Ownership of the Bike?

There are three scenarios in which it is required that bike ownership be changed:

1. Purchasing a Second-Hand Bike: In this scenario, the bike belongs to the previous owner until it is sold. This procedure is only complete when the registration transfer process for the two-wheeler is finished, giving you ownership and possession.
2. Owner’s Demise: In this case, the ownership of the two-wheeler is transferred to his/ her legal heir. The documents of this type of transfer vary.
3. Purchasing a Bike at an Auction: For this scenario, you will still need to transfer the ownership of the bike.

What are the Documents Required to Change Ownership of a Bike?

The following are the documents required to initiate the transfer of a bike’s ownership:

1. Registration Certificate Book (RC): This document is proof of the bike’s registration and needs to be submitted to the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
2. Pollution under Control Certificate (PuC): This certificate ensures that your two-wheeler has passed the emissions test and will be required for routine checks of the same.
3. Sales Receipt: This is essential when buying the bike and it must have the previous owner’s/seller’s signature on it. The sale receipt of both the buyer and seller should be on the receipt at the end of the purchase.
4. Transfer Deed: This deed is a confirmation of the transfer of ownership from the previous owner to the current one, ensuring the previous owner no longer has any liabilities of the two-wheeler. The document should have the signature of both the buyer and seller along with the details of the two-wheeler.
5. Bike Insurance Certificate: This is mandatory for every two-wheeler in India. If you drive without one, you can be fined for Rs. 2,000 and/ or be imprisoned for up to 3 months.
6. Road Tax Certificate and Other Documents: You will need to submit this certificate to the RTO to initiate the transfer. Along with this, you will have to fill forms 28,29,30, provide proof of identity, address and two passport size photographs.
7. Bike Ownership Transfer Fee: The RTO takes a fee of Rs. 30-35 for this transfer with an additional Rs. 200 for a smart card.

What is the Process to Change Ownership of a Bike?

The following are the steps to initiate the transfer ownership of a bike:

Step 1: Apply for transfer - This should be ideally done by the seller to the RTO where the two-wheeler was initially registered.

Step 2: Handover of documents - This includes all the documents listed above and should be given by the seller to the buyer for the transfer.

Step 3: Intimation to the RTO - Within a specified window of time, both the seller and the buyer must intimate their respective RTOs about the transfer.

The transfer takes approximately two weeks if the new owner is in the same state and 45 days it is interstate.

Also Read: Two Wheeler Insurance Add-ons

Conclusion: A Few Things to Keep In Mind

The following are a few points to remember when changing bike ownership:

• The insurance provider must be intimated about the transfer of the two-wheeler. Moreover, any non-transferable NCB can be utilised by the seller for some purpose.
• The existing details of the policy need to be updated by the new owner.
• The insurance policy transfer must be completed within 2 weeks of the bike’s purchase.
• In case the existing policy has expired or becomes void for some reason, the new owner must purchase a new one to legally drive on Indian roads.

You May Also Like To Read:

Why Should You Buy A Bike Insurance Policy

Facts About Two-Wheeler Insurance You Should Know

Things To Do If You Have Lost Your Two-wheeler Insurance Documents

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.