Thiruvananthapuram: The Central Government has made Aadhaar mandatory for transferring vehicle ownership across the country. Under the new procedure, ownership transfers will be processed only after verification using a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to the mobile number registered with the owner's Aadhaar card.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC), which manages the software, informed the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) that the changes are being implemented based on directives from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Key benefits: Enhanced security and anti-corruption measures

  • Curbing crime and office corruption: The nationwide update aims to bolster security amid a rise in crimes involving vehicles. It is also designed to eliminate corrupt practices within Motor Vehicles Department offices.
  • Transition to fully online ‘faceless’ services: By transitioning to an Aadhaar-based service, applicants no longer need to physically submit hard copies of documents at RTO offices. Since officials cannot identify applications submitted through intermediaries, the practice of expediting agent-backed files in exchange for bribes will be curtailed.
  • Reduced office workload: Ownership transfers constitute nearly 40 percent of all applications received at MVD offices. Moving this process entirely online is expected to significantly ease administrative workloads.

Essential steps for vehicle owners

Vehicle owners who have not linked their Aadhaar to their vehicle records must do so promptly. The system requires strict alignment between both databases:

1. Name matching: If the owner's name in the vehicle registration documents does not match the name on their Aadhaar card, linking will fail. Owners must submit a separate application to update their vehicle records to match their Aadhaar details.

2. Active mobile number: Owners whose Aadhaar-registered mobile numbers are inactive must update their mobile details before linking them to vehicle documents.

Provisions for older registrations and loan removal

A temporary mobile OTP option remains available for vehicles registered on the 'Smart Move' software prior to 2018. However, once any service is accessed via the national 'Vahan' portal, the profile will permanently transition to the Aadhaar-linked system.

Removing loan/hypothecation details from vehicle records has also been made faceless. Upon submitting an application, an automated online notification is dispatched to the financial institution. As soon as the lender confirms there are no outstanding dues, the software automatically removes the loan record.