Delhi Temporary Registration (TR) 2025: Validity, Extension Rules & How Dealers Must Process It

Introduction

Buying a new car, bike, commercial vehicle or EV in Delhi in 2025? In most straightforward cases, your Registration Certificate (RC) and permanent DL-series number are issued directly from the dealer through Delhi’s online self-registration system.

But in some situations, you (or your customer, if you are a dealer) will first get a Temporary Registration (TR) number — and this is where a lot of confusion starts. Many buyers assume TR can be used casually for months or extended anytime, which is not how Delhi really works in 2025.

This guide is 100% Delhi-specific and explains:

• When a Temporary Registration (TR) is actually used in Delhi;
• The exact validity and practical limits for TR in Delhi in 2025;
• How Form 20B extensions work in practice (and when they don’t);
• What self-registration dealers in Delhi must do step-by-step; and
• Common rejection & penalty scenarios you should avoid as a buyer or dealer.

We also connect TR with real-life RC issues like ownership changes, NOC, hypothecation removal and Duplicate RC, because these are exactly the points where new-vehicle paperwork can get stuck in Delhi.

1. What is Temporary Registration (TR) in Delhi?

Under Section 43 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, a vehicle can be given Temporary Registration when it is not possible to immediately issue a permanent registration mark — usually because:

• The vehicle is going to be registered in another state; or
• The vehicle needs body-building/fabrication (like buses, tankers, special-purpose vehicles) before final registration; or
• The vehicle must be moved to another location or authority before permanent RC can be granted.

On the Delhi Transport Department website, the FAQ clearly notes that temporary registration:

• Is issued only in specific situations (for example when the owner wants to take the vehicle to another state),
• Has a maximum validity of one month, and
• Is not ordinarily renewable.

In Delhi’s context, TR is typically seen in cases such as:

• New vehicle purchased in Delhi, but to be registered in another state (UP, Haryana, Punjab, etc.);
• Commercial vehicles needing body-building (buses, school buses, cargo trucks) before final registration;
• Vehicles going for special fabrication (ambulance conversion, crane bodies, reefer vans, etc.).

For most private cars & bikes registered in Delhi itself (DL-series), dealers now directly handle permanent registration at their end, so TR is far less common for a normal Delhi private buyer. This dealer-based registration shift was highlighted when vehicle buyers were allowed to get RCs directly from dealers, as reported by The Indian Express .

2. Delhi TR Validity in 2025 – How Long is it Actually Valid?

From the Delhi Transport Department’s own FAQ:

“Maximum period of validity of temporary registration made under this section is one month and it is not renewable.”

In practical terms for Delhi in 2025:

• Default validity: Up to 30 days from the date of issue.
• Geographical use:
  • Usually valid within the NCT of Delhi and on the route to the registering state (if the vehicle is moving out for registration).
  • You are not supposed to keep driving indefinitely in Delhi on a TR number.
• Insurance: A valid motor insurance policy is mandatory from day one — TR does not bypass insurance requirements.
• Pollution & enforcement: Your TR vehicle can still be checked for PUCC and other rules, especially during GRAP enforcement and ANPR camera-based drives.

Delhi has been extremely strict on over-age vehicles, NOCs and re-registration of old vehicles, with policy moves and relaxations for diesel (10-year) and petrol (15-year) vehicles being widely reported, such as coverage by NDTV .

Key takeaway: In Delhi, one month is your real working window to finish everything — body-building, interstate movement (if any) and permanent registration. Treat TR as a bridge phase, not a long-term usage strategy.

3. Can Temporary Registration Be Extended in Delhi? (Form 20B Reality Check)

At the central level, the Parivahan portal lists Form 20B – Application for extension of period of temporary registration as an official form. In theory, this means:

• TR may be extended in exceptional cases where:
  • Body-building/fabrication is genuinely delayed;
  • The vehicle is not yet roadworthy for final registration; or
  • There are valid, documented reasons beyond routine delay.

However, Delhi’s own FAQ continues to emphasize that TR under Section 43 is not renewable as a routine practice, especially for typical private vehicles.

In 2025, dealers in Delhi should treat TR like this:

• Plan to finish permanent registration within the first TR period itself;
• Use Form 20B only in rare, justified special cases (for example, truck body-building delays) with proper supporting documents;
• Maintain a written trail (emails, job cards, fabrication work orders) to justify any extension request if the registering authority questions the delay.

For buyers, this means:

• Never assume “TR can always be extended” — in Delhi, that assumption can leave your vehicle stuck.
• Ask your dealer the exact TR expiry date and demand a clear, written timeline for permanent registration.

4. Role of Delhi Self-Registration Dealers in TR (2025 Framework)

Delhi has steadily shifted from “stand in RTO queues with physical files” to a system where dealers play a central digital role in registration:

• In 2021, Delhi appointed self-registration dealers as “Special Registering Authority” to issue Temporary Registration Certificates (TRCs) for new vehicles under Rule 34 of the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules. This shift was highlighted by The New Indian Express .
• Vehicle buyers can now get RCs directly from the dealer, with the dealer submitting files online to the DTO.
• Delhi has launched online portals for e-autos and EVs (like the My EV portal) where purchase and registration workflows are digital end-to-end.
• A separate portal for cab aggregators & delivery companies is being rolled out where vehicle numbers and driver details must be mandatorily registered.

In 2024, the Transport Minister also directed strict action (including suspension of trade licences) against dealers delaying RC issuance.

Implication for TR in 2025:

• Dealers in Delhi are legally and operationally central to issuing TR numbers where needed.
• The government is closely monitoring delays — mishandling TR and RC timelines can cost dealers their trade licence.
• Buyers should insist that the entire TR → permanent RC workflow is clearly documented and tracked at dealer level.

5. Step-by-Step: How Dealers Must Process Temporary Registration in Delhi (2025)

Below is a dealer-side, Delhi-specific workflow for handling Temporary Registration (TR) correctly in 2025.

Step 1 – Confirm if TR is genuinely required

The dealer must first evaluate:

• Is the vehicle going to be registered in another state (for example, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram)?
• Is body-building / special fabrication needed before permanent registration (buses, tankers, cranes, reefers)?
• Is there a legal reason Delhi RC cannot be issued immediately?

If the vehicle is to be registered in Delhi itself (DL01–DL12 series) and is road-ready, dealers should avoid TR and go straight to permanent registration at dealer end, as enabled by Delhi’s online services.

Step 2 – Collect TR-specific documents

Typical documentation (broadly aligned with Central & Delhi rules) includes:

• Form 20 – Application for registration / temporary registration;
• Invoice / Sale certificate (Form 21) from dealer;
• Roadworthiness certificate (Form 22) from manufacturer/body builder;
• Insurance policy covering the TR period;
• ID & address proof of the buyer (Aadhaar, passport, etc.);
• Hypothecation details if loan is involved;
• Any body-building work order or inter-state transfer plan, if applicable.

Where ownership or loan details are unclear (for example, when an older vehicle is being moved between fleets), it is often safer to clean up the RC/ownership trail first through an ownership transfer before adding fresh entries. In West and North-West Delhi, that could mean using services such as: Ownership Transfer in DL08 (Wazirpur, Delhi) .

Step 3 – Issue TR via VAHAN / dealer interface

Dealers log into the VAHAN / Delhi Transport self-registration interface with authorised credentials:

• Enter vehicle details, buyer details, tax category and reason for TR;
• Generate the Temporary Registration Number and Temporary RC;
• Print or digitally share the TR acknowledgement for records.

The dealer must:

• Fix the TR number clearly on the vehicle (paper plate or printed slip as per norms);
• Hand over the TR RC document and insurance papers to the buyer.

Step 4 – Clearly communicate TR validity & next steps to the buyer

Dealers should explain in writing:

• The start & end date of TR validity (30-day window);
• Whether the vehicle will be permanently registered in Delhi or another state;
• The estimated date of RC issuance and who will handle any RTO visits;
• That driving beyond TR validity can lead to challans, vehicle seizure and complications in future registration.

Step 5 – Track deadlines & move to permanent registration

Before TR expiry, the dealer must:

• For Delhi registration:
  • Complete tax payment & permanent registration online;
  • Ensure HSRP & colour-coded sticker fitment as per Delhi norms, which are being steadily enforced and monitored, as reported by HT Auto .
• For out-of-state registration:
  • Ensure all documents required by the destination state RTO are provided (invoice, Form 20, Form 21, Form 22, TR copy, etc.).

Step 6 – Use Form 20B only in genuine extension cases

If body-building or other genuine reasons delay final registration:

• Dealer/owner may apply using Form 20B (extension of temporary registration) with supporting proof.
• Remember:
  • For Delhi, this is exceptional, not routine;
  • Authority can refuse or limit extension if not satisfied with justification.

6. Delhi-Specific Scenarios Where TR Commonly Comes Up

6.1 Car bought in Delhi, to be registered in Noida/Ghaziabad/Gurugram

• Dealer in Delhi issues TR, buyer drives to destination state within TR validity;
• Buyer completes tax & permanent registration at the destination RTO using TR and sale documents.

Where the vehicle is leaving Delhi permanently and you later need to reflect that in records, a NOC-based process may be involved. For South-West Delhi, owners often look at: NOC in DL09 (Palam, Delhi) for support with interstate movement paperwork.

6.2 School buses & staff buses for Delhi institutions

• Vehicle arrives as a basic chassis from manufacturer;
• Goes to Karol Bagh / Mayapuri / other body-builder workshops for bus body fabrication;
• TR is used to move the vehicle for body-building and to/from fitness centres;
• Final registration is issued after Form 22A, Form 22B and fitness certification are completed.

6.3 Goods vehicles & special-purpose vehicles

• Tankers, crane trucks, refrigerated vans often need complex fabrication and fitment;
• TR allows movement of the incomplete vehicle between plant, body-builder and RTO until ready;
• Permanent RC is granted only once all approvals and fitness checks are in place.

6.4 Fleet vehicles for aggregators / delivery companies

• With Delhi working on a mandatory registration portal for aggregators & delivery providers, accurate recording of TR, RC and vehicle category becomes critical;
• Any mismatch between TR records, final RC data and aggregator portal entries can lead to compliance issues;
• Drivers operating such fleets must also hold valid driving licences with correct category, where services like Driving License in DL04 (Janakpuri, Delhi) help ensure driver-side compliance.

7. Common Rejection Reasons & Risks Around TR in Delhi

These are typical reasons why TR-related files may get stuck or attract penalties in Delhi:

• Mismatch between invoice, chassis & engine numbers – any discrepancy between Form 20, Form 21 and manufacturer records can trigger queries or rejection.
• Wrong address or incomplete KYC – address proof is closely scrutinised, especially for vehicles under schemes, subsidies or specific permit categories.
• Improper or missing hypothecation entries – if the vehicle is loan-funded, financier details must be correctly entered at TR stage and carried into permanent RC. When loan closure is not updated on RC, owners later need hypothecation removal services, such as: Hypothecation Removal in DL13 (Surajmal Vihar, Delhi) .
• Driving beyond TR validity – if caught after expiry, you may face challan, seizure or complications at time of permanent registration.

With Delhi increasingly using ANPR cameras, fuel bans and digital enforcement, the risk of being caught on expired TR is very high. Coverage on Delhi’s strict stance around older vehicles and fuel bans, such as that by NDTV , shows how technology-led enforcement is now the norm.

Authorities also frown upon using TR for daily city use without progressing to permanent registration. They can treat this as misuse of TR — it is meant for transition, not as a long-term workaround.

If the original RC is lost or badly damaged during these phases, a Duplicate RC is usually needed before you can cleanly complete ownership or NOC workflows. For North Delhi, this often means using services like: Duplicate RC in DL11 (Rohini, Delhi) .

If dealers delay RC despite having all documents, Delhi’s Transport Minister has previously warned of suspension of trade licences and other strict actions.

8. How Delhi’s 2025 Policy & Digital Changes Affect TR

Delhi’s transport ecosystem in 2025 is shaped by three big trends which directly impact how TR is treated:

8.1 Aggressive push for online & dealer-based services

• Large chunks of RTO services are now online – including new vehicle registration, tax payment and RC printing at the dealer end.
• For a typical Delhi buyer, this means less direct RTO interaction and more responsibility on the dealer to handle TR (if needed) and permanent registration correctly.

8.2 Stricter environmental & age-based controls

• Policies on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), fuel denial for over-age vehicles and re-registration outside Delhi are continuously evolving.
• This makes clean, correctly timed registration — including proper handling of TR — critical to avoid being classified as non-compliant later.

8.3 Targeted enforcement via technology

• Use of HSRP & colour-coded stickers, ANPR cameras and online challan systems is expanding rapidly.
• A vehicle running on an expired TR or mismatched records can be flagged digitally, not just at physical checkpoints.

Bottom line: In Delhi 2025, TR is no longer a “casual, adjustable” stage. It is a digitally tracked, policy-sensitive phase where any laxity by dealers or buyers can create long-term problems with RC, permits, NOC and even future ownership transfers.

Conclusion

In Delhi 2025, Temporary Registration (TR) is no longer a casual buffer that can be stretched at will. It is a tightly supervised, digitally tracked stage designed only for short-term movement and pre-registration needs.

• Treat the one-month TR validity as a hard working window, not a suggestion.
• Use TR only where genuinely required — out-of-state registration, body-building, special fabrication.
• As a buyer, insist on written clarity from the dealer on TR dates and RC timelines.
• As a dealer, maintain clean documentation, accurate data entry and proper tracking to avoid penalties and licence issues.
• For anything beyond TR — ownership changes, NOC, hypothecation removal, Duplicate RC and driving licence compliance — work with experienced support so that your paperwork does not become a bottleneck for your vehicle or business.

Handled correctly, Temporary Registration is simply a brief step in your vehicle’s journey from showroom to fully-compliant, permanently registered status. Handled casually, it can become the starting point of long-term compliance headaches in Delhi’s evolving transport ecosystem.

How Fateh Legacy Helps with TR-Linked RC, NOC & Ownership Work in Delhi

Temporary Registration (TR) is just one part of a bigger picture. Once the TR phase is over, Delhi vehicle owners often need help with RC ownership changes, NOCs, hypothecation removal and Duplicate RC, especially when vehicles move between states or fleets are restructured.

For example, if a Delhi-based fleet moves vehicles out to another state after initial TR and permanent registration, owners usually rely on a No Objection Certificate (NOC) process handled through the relevant RTO.

Where financing is involved and the loan is later closed, hypothecation removal on the RC becomes essential before any resale or further movement.

If RC documents are missing or damaged, a Duplicate RC is normally required, while any change of owner after TR and initial registration involves a proper ownership transfer process at the respective RTO.