What Documents are required for a Vehicle Ownership Transfer?

Transferring ownership of all motorized vehicles including cars in Bangladesh requires several documents. In our country, all these documents are required mainly for buying and selling old cars or motor vehicles and for changing ownership due to inheritance. Some of the basic documents for vehicle ownership transfer are – Vehicle Title Transfer Documents, Bill of Sale, Registration Certificate, Insurance Certificate, License Information, Notarized Power of Attorney, etc.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) guidelines, if the ownership of motor vehicles is not transferred on time, legal problems will be faced in the case of buying and selling motor vehicles. So it is important to have an understanding of the ownership transfer process. The documents and procedures to be followed by buyers, sellers, and heirs in transferring ownership of vehicles are discussed in detail in this blog.

Necessary documents required for vehicle ownership transfer in Bangladesh –

Documents set by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) should be carried to transfer the ownership. Separate documents are to be submitted for buyer, seller, and motor vehicle. In some cases, personal documents of buyer and seller may also need to be submitted. You can download the required forms from the BRTA website. Copies of all forms and other required documents must be attested.

Documents required by buyer for transfer of ownership –

(1) First, the TO form (Transfer of Ownership) must be collected and filled. Buyer’s signature on TO and specimen signature on TTO.

(2) Receipt of deposit of fee. (Fees vary according to CC or type of vehicle)

(3) A copy of the TIN certificate of the buyer. (For personal use vehicle only)

(4) Certificate of Registration/Digital Registration.

(5) Affidavit with a photograph of the buyer on a non-judicial stamp.

(6) Certificate of Insurance.

(7) 03 copies of stamp size color photograph.

[If the buyer is an organization then all the above documents except affidavit and note with signature on the official pad.]

Documents required by the seller for ownership transfer –

(1) The TTO form must be filled in and signed.

(2) Collect and sign the sales receipt.

(3) Affidavit with a photograph of the seller on a non-judicial stamp.

(4) Copy of the TIN certificate of the seller. (For personal use vehicle only)

(5) 03 copies of stamp size color photograph.

(6) Seller’s No Objection Certificate.

[If the seller is an organization then all the above documents except affidavit and intimation, board resolution, authorization note with signature on official pad should be there. Again if the motor vehicle is liable to the bank or any other institution, then the clearance letter must be collected and submitted from that institution.]

Documents required for transfer of ownership of vehicle through inheritance –

(1) Certificate of Inheritance granted by the Court.

(2) TO form (Transfer of Ownership) must be collected and filled. Heir’s signature on TO and specimen signature on TTO.

(3) Receipt of deposit of prescribed fee. (Fees vary according to CC or type of vehicle)

(4) Copy of TIN certificate of heir.

(5) Registration Certificate/Digital Registration Certificate

(6) Affidavit under non-judicial stamp with photographs of heirs regarding the acquisition of ownership by inheritance.

(7) 03 copies of stamp size color photograph.

[If there are multiple heirs and the ownership is to be transferred in the name of one, another affidavit with a non-judicial stamp photograph of the other heirs should be filed.]

Motor Vehicle Inspection and Biometric Process at BRTA –

Once the documents and fees are submitted, the vehicle should be brought to the specified circle office of BRTA at the scheduled time. BRTA officials will verify the application form and inspect the vehicle. If everything goes well, they will issue a change of ownership permit or acknowledgment of receipt.

This receipt will give the date of receipt of biometrics for issuance of the registration certificate or digital registration certificate of the new owner. BRTA will inform the mobile number of the new owner on the date of collection of the smart card after taking the biometric and photograph on the scheduled date. A new smart card for vehicle ownership must be collected on the specified date.

All the problems that can arise if ownership is not transferred

Problems faced by transfer of ownership without proper documents or no transfer of ownership –

(1) After selling the vehicle registered in your name without documents, if the vehicle is used in criminal activities, this liability will also fall on you.

(2) If you purchase any motor vehicle without registration, you may face legal complications later on.

(3) If you provide false documents, the buyer-seller can sue you if any party wants.

(4) Failure to change the ownership of the motor vehicle may result in a fine of up to Tk 5,000 as per section 74 of the Bangladesh Traffic Act. A fine of Rs 10,000 will be imposed for committing the same offense for the second time.

Finally, to avoid such problems, one must change the ownership of the motor vehicle with proper documents. So, both buyer and seller prepare all necessary documents for the transfer of ownership and submit them to the BRTA office to complete the process and stay safe.