How to transfer vehicle ownership in Nepal (naamsari)
सवारी साधन नामसारी कसरी गर्ने
Bike and car naamsari in Nepal takes two steps at the Transport Management Office. Fees, the 35-day deadline and documents for buyer and seller.
- Cost
- Rs 2,000 (bike, Bagmati)
- Rs 1,000 identification fee plus Rs 1,000 transfer fee. For a car it's Rs 1,200 plus Rs 1,200.
- How long
- Usually a day or two
- Longer if tax records need fixing first.
- Where
- Transport Management Office
- Last checked
- 8 Oct 2026
- Awaiting official confirmation
What it is
Naamsari (नामसारी) moves a vehicle into the buyer's name in the bluebook and the registration system. Until it's done, the seller is still legally the owner, including for traffic fines and accidents. Neither side should hand over the vehicle or the money without completing it.
It happens in two steps at the Transport Management Office. First the identification (सनाखत), where the seller confirms the sale in front of an officer. Then the transfer itself, which the buyer has 35 days to finish. The fees and deadlines on this page are Bagmati's for 2083/84. Other provinces set their own amounts.
Who needs it
- Anyone buying or selling a used bike, scooter or car.
- Families transferring a vehicle after the owner dies.
What you need
- Official
The vehicle's bluebook (registration book)
- Official
Citizenship certificates of the buyer and the seller
- Official
Vehicle tax paid up to date
The office checks the registration system for unpaid tax and renewal fees.
- Official
Both buyer and seller in person for the identification (सनाखत), or a valid power of attorney
- In practice
Valid third-party insurance
Insurance is compulsory for every vehicle. Bring the current policy so it can be moved to the new owner.
- In practice
Photocopies of the bluebook and both citizenships
In practice items aren't in the official rules but are commonly asked for at the counter.
How it works
- 1
Clear the tax first
Pay any outstanding vehicle tax and renewal fees. You can pay online through your province's system. The transfer won't go through with tax due.
- 2
Do the identification (सनाखत)
Buyer and seller go to the Transport Management Office where the vehicle is registered. The seller confirms the sale in front of the officer and the identification fee is paid.
- 3
Finish the transfer within 35 days
The buyer completes the naamsari and pays the transfer fee. The identification is valid for 35 days. After that a fine applies, and after 170 days it lapses and you start again.
- 4
Get the bluebook updated
The office updates the bluebook and the registration record with the new owner's name.
- 5
Move the insurance
Tell the insurance company about the new owner so claims are paid to the right person.
Where to go
Transport Management Office
The office where the vehicle is registered
Cost and time
- Official fee
- Rs 2,000 (bike, Bagmati)
- Rs 1,000 identification fee plus Rs 1,000 transfer fee. For a car it's Rs 1,200 plus Rs 1,200.
- Processing time
- Usually a day or two
- Longer if tax records need fixing first.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Identification (सनाखत), motorbike or scooterBagmati Province Economic Act 2083, for 2083/84 | Rs 1,000 |
| Identification (सनाखत), car, jeep, van or pickup | Rs 1,200 |
| Transfer fee (नामसारी), private motorbike or scooter | Rs 1,000 |
| Transfer fee (नामसारी), private car, jeep, van or pickupThe same fee applies when transferring after the owner's death | Rs 1,200 |
| Finishing 36 to 80 days after identification | Rs 1,000 fine |
| Finishing 81 to 170 days after identificationAfter this the identification lapses | Rs 2,000 fine |
| Blocking or unblocking a transfer (रोक्का) | Half the transfer fee |
Common problems
I meant land naamsari, not a vehicle.
Land transfers go through the Land Revenue Office (मालपोत). See the pages on land ownership transfer between living owners and inheritance land transfer.
The seller has moved abroad.
The seller can give a power of attorney (अख्तियारनामा), attested by a Nepali embassy, to someone in Nepal who attends the identification in their place.
The owner has died.
The heir applies for the transfer with the death registration and a relationship certificate. In Bagmati the fee is the same as a normal transfer.
I bought the bike years ago but never did the naamsari.
Legally the seller is still the owner, including for fines and accidents. Find the seller, clear any tax due and do the identification now. If you can't find them, ask the transport office about the options.
The vehicle is registered in another province.
You can move its registration to your province (सरुवा). This needs a consent from the original office and a registration transfer fee in the new one. Do the naamsari at the office where it's registered now.
Real experiences
Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.
Share your experienceSources
- Bagmati Province Economic Act 2083: naamsari, identification and fines for 2083/84giwmscdnone.gov.np
- Department of Transport Managementdotm.gov.np
Written from the sources above and last checked on 8 Oct 2026. Some details aren't confirmed against an official page yet, so check fees and documents with the office before you go.
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