Here Is How Vehicle Transfer System In Karachi Works – Things To Do And Not To Do
I had to get my 1300 cc used car transferred to my name but hearing several dreadful stories about Karachi vehicle registration office it sounded like a nightmare. Simultaneously I neither had the intent to involve any agent nor to give any bribe. So I personally went through its complete procedure which I’d like to share for the benefit of all concerned.
Also Read: Here’s How You Can Get A Driving License In Karachi
- Before embarking on this quest make sure you have following documents with you:
- Your valid CNIC copy
- Seller’s valid CNIC copy
- Car book(s) including Running paper
- Transfer letter duly signed by seller
- Return file of your vehicle having original sales certificates (green + pink copies), original sales invoice, registration form, paid MV tax receipt (ensure tax is paid for the period)
- To avoid crowd at registration office leave your home early to reach Civic Center around 8:30 am
- Since a procedural step involves physical inspection of your to-be-transferred vehicle, so take the same vehicle along
- To avoid traffic congestion near SSGC building while entering Civic Center take the road behind from University Road end
- Instead of leaving your vehicle on the road under the care of some apparently fake looking KMC rep, park your car in one of the three designated paid-parking lots behind Civic Center just for Rs.30 (car theft incidents are reported around Civic Center area)
- Straight away move inside the compound to a photocopy shop ignoring all the agents intercepting you along the way with a sweet smile
- Ask for a set of vehicle ownership transfer papers from the photocopy guy. You should obtain Rs. 600 worth of printed affidavits, a scanning request form, and some other documents. All this should not cost you more than Rs. 650
- Ask the photocopier to make a copy of the scanning form along with your CNIC as an inset picture
- These forms are simple to fill from the details already provided in your vehicle file. However, you may take help from the photocopy guy and pay him some amount say Rs.50
- Next step is the physical inspection of your car for which you’d have to take it back to the same rear road you came earlier from, and you will get to a table under a sun umbrella located around 100 meters from the first parking lot. Here you’d find government inspectors sitting in plain clothes (you might have to ask someone to reach the right spot there). Try reaching there early as these inspectors close their roadside office around 1 PM to sit inside their closed door office near the same table (don’t hesitate to walk into their office to request for inspection in case you find yourself late)
- After verifying the number plate and matching the engine and chassis numbers appended on vehicle documents with that written in vehicle engine area the inspector would sign and stamp your documents (one of the forms)
- Now move to the mezzanine floor of the vehicle registration office which is also known as M.R. Wing (Motor Registration Wing) and que up at the specific window bearing alphabetical series of your vehicle number plate (beware of the pickpockets here)
- Present your file along with all filled documents to the Excise officers sitting in uniform behind the window glass who after entering some data on his computer might advise you to obtain verification on your file from the wooden door office opposite the window you were standing
- With confidence enter that room yourself, greet the officer there and request him for verification task by presenting your vehicle file. He should be returning your file in 10-15 minutes with his remarks/initials
- Return to the same glass window and submit your file again. The officer will ask for the transfer fee (Rs.3000 in my case as it required a new book also). Your file will be retained, and you’ll be given a computerized slip having your details and of your vehicle. Ensure there are no errors on the slip. The next date for recollection of your file will be hand written on the same paper which should be one week later
- Appear on the given date and present the slip you obtained. Your case should be ready and will be required to move again to the same wooden door office opposite the window you were standing. Usually, an office staff designated by the same officer carries your file as a measure of security
- With the same confidence again walk into that room yourself, greet the officer there and request him for the task. He should be returning your file in 10-15 minutes with his remarks/ initials
- Now the file is to be taken to the 4th floor for scanning. They charge Rs.150 for normal time i.e. one day and Rs.400 for urgent taking around 30-45 minutes
- You’d receive the file from here. Check for any errors including availability of old book (if any)
- Take home the file and celebrate… YOU DID IT!!
- So for a 1300cc private car the total cost for transfer of ownership should be 650+50+3,000+150= Rs.3,850
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Here let me confess that the state of affairs I witnessed at various stages of car transfer process made me wonder how difficult it is to go through the process without an agent. The system is plagued with delinquencies tempting you time and again to hire an agent. But with a little stubbornness and a lot of patience, you can do it yourself.
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