BACK TO MVA INDEX
MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter IV

Section 43

Temporary Registration

Registration of Motor Vehicles
Fine: ₹10,000Compoundable: NoEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION

Legal Text

Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 40, the owner of a motor vehicle may apply to any registering authority or other prescribed authority to have the vehicle temporarily registered in the prescribed manner and for the issue to him of a temporary certificate of registration and a temporary registration mark.

Simplified Explanation

Section 43 enables temporary registration (TR) — issued when a vehicle needs to be driven before permanent registration is completed. This is most commonly used when a new vehicle is purchased from a dealer who is not in the buyer's home jurisdiction — the buyer needs to drive the vehicle to their home RTO for permanent registration. The TR number (format: TR-XX-XXXX) is typically valid for 1 month. Dealers are authorised to issue TRs on behalf of the registering authority. A vehicle with an expired TR is treated as an unregistered vehicle under Section 39 and faces the full Section 192 penalty. The TR number plate is typically a paper plate with handwritten or typed registration details — visually distinct from permanent metal number plates.

Historical Context

Temporary registration emerged as a practical necessity when the manufacturing/dealing location and the owner's residence are in different RTO jurisdictions — common in a country as large as India with centralised vehicle manufacturing hubs.

Critical Changes

Online TR issuance through Vahan portal available in many states.

TR validity typically 30 days — check state-specific rules as some states allow extensions.

Using a TR after its expiry treated as using an unregistered vehicle.

Practical Scenarios

"A Bengaluru resident buying a car from a Delhi dealer — dealer issues TR; buyer drives car to Bengaluru RTO within 30 days for permanent registration."
"A TR that expired 2 months ago but vehicle still using it — Section 39/192 violation, ₹10,000 penalty."

Common Queries

A temporary registration is typically valid for 1 month (30 days) from the date of issue. During this period, the owner must complete permanent registration at their home RTO. Using the vehicle after TR expiry is treated as driving an unregistered vehicle.
No — once the permanent registration is issued, the TR number is cancelled and the vehicle must display the permanent registration mark. Continuing to use a TR after permanent registration is issued is a violation.