Move aimed at curbing fraud, ensure public safety
Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 6: In a decisive move to bring transparency, accountability and security to the used vehicle market, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Jammu, in coordination with Assistant Regional Transport Offices (ARTOs) across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, has enforced mandatory registration for all second-hand car dealers under the amended Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), 1989.
The initiative aims to standardize the resale process, prevent fraudulent transactions, ensure digital traceability through the VAHAN portal and curb the misuse of vehicles by anti-social elements.
As part of the enforcement drive, the RTO Jammu had initially directed all second-hand car dealers operating in the region to register their establishments with the Motor Vehicles Department within a stipulated period of 21 days.
However, the response from dealers remained lukewarm, prompting the department to issue a final warning granting an additional seven days for compliance, failing which strict penal action was to follow.
“Now, when the extended time has been exhausted, more than 50 percent of the car dealers have been registered with our office,” said Jasmeet Singh, RTO Jammu.
He attributed the initial slow response to hesitation over compliance requirements and procedural guidelines but noted a significant improvement since the beginning of the New Year.
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“Earlier, due to some formalities and guidelines that were mandatory for the car dealers to follow, the response was not encouraging and only a few dealers visited the office to complete registration.
However, since the start of the New Year, we have witnessed a positive response from dealers who are keen to regularize their businesses,” Singh told Excelsior.
He expressed confidence that the remaining registrations would be completed within the month.
The enforcement drive has assumed added significance in the wake of recent security concerns, particularly following the fallout of blasts in Delhi where second-hand vehicles were reportedly used to execute the attacks.
In response, the Jammu and Kashmir Government directed precautionary measures to tighten oversight of the used vehicle market, instructing second-hand car dealers in Jammu to register themselves with the RTO within a specified timeframe.
The registration framework is anchored in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notification G.S.R. 901(E), effective from December 2022, which introduced Rules 55A to 55H under the CMVR, 1989.
These provisions make it mandatory for all used vehicle dealers to obtain authorization from the Motor Vehicles Department.
Dealers are required to submit the vehicle’s Registration Certificate along with Forms 27 and 28 to the concerned RTO office, ensuring lawful transfer of ownership.
Beyond documentation, the new system mandates online application submission, physical verification of business premises, a five-year authorization cycle, real-time transaction reporting on the VAHAN portal and strict maintenance of Know Your Customer (KYC) records.
These measures are designed to establish a centralized and digitally monitored ecosystem for used car sales, minimizing scope for forgery, tax evasion and illegal vehicle circulation.
Failure to comply with the prescribed norms will invite stringent action. RTOs and ARTOs have been empowered to conduct inspections and verifications and may initiate proceedings involving police and taxation authorities.
Vehicles sold by unauthorized dealers could be seized and legal action may be initiated against violators.
In essence, the RTO Jammu’s enforcement drive marks a significant step towards regulating the used vehicle market in Jammu and Kashmir.
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