NCRB vehicle report: how to check a vehicle and download the NCRB NOC
An NCRB vehicle report is the result of a free online search of the National Crime Records Bureau's records that shows whether a car or bike is linked to theft or a crime. You run it on NCRB's central citizen services portal using the registration, chassis or engine number, then download the vehicle NOC that RTOs ask for before an ownership transfer.
Key takeaways
- The NCRB vehicle report tells you whether a vehicle appears in police theft or crime records shared with NCRB.
- You can search by registration number, chassis number, engine number, or type, make and model.
- NCRB says its central citizen services are free; never pay an agent or send a postal order for this check.
- RTOs ask for the downloaded vehicle NOC before an ownership transfer, and a visit to an NCRB office is no longer needed.
- Vahan Samanvay is the older name people use for NCRB's motor vehicle coordination search.
- A clean result is not a full history check; still verify the RC, loan entry, tax and challans.
On this page · 24 sections
What is an NCRB vehicle report?
An NCRB vehicle report is the on-screen result and downloadable NOC you get after searching a vehicle against the records held by the National Crime Records Bureau. It tells you whether that car, bike or truck is listed in connection with theft or a crime, which is exactly what a buyer or an RTO needs to know before ownership changes hands.
Who runs the records
NCRB is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs and collects crime data from state police forces. Stolen and recovered vehicle entries made by police stations flow into its national records, so one search covers vehicles reported across India.
What you receive
You see a result for the vehicle you searched and can generate a vehicle NOC as a PDF. Most people keep it with the sale agreement, the RC copy and the delivery note so the whole deal is documented in one file.
What is Vahan Samanvay?
Vahan Samanvay is the name long used for NCRB’s motor vehicle coordination search, which matches vehicles reported stolen with vehicles recovered or offered for sale. “Samanvay” means coordination, and the idea is that police, RTOs and citizens all check against one national list instead of separate state records.
Why the name still matters
Many RTO staff, dealers and older guides still say “Vahan Samanvay report” when they mean the NCRB vehicle check. If an office asks for it, they are usually asking for the same NCRB vehicle NOC described on this page.
Not the same as Vahan
Despite the name, it is not part of the Vahan registration database run for the transport ministry. Vahan stores RC, tax and fitness details; the NCRB search covers police theft and crime records.
What was the Vahan Samanvay internet query?
The Vahan Samanvay internet query was the citizen-facing option to type a vehicle’s details online and get a theft status without going to a police office. Searches for this phrase today lead to the same purpose: a self-service check, now offered as “Generate Vehicle NOC” on NCRB’s central citizen services portal.
How it worked in practice
You entered a registration, chassis or engine number and the system checked it against the coordinated list. The modern service accepts the same kinds of identifiers, plus type, make and model.
What changed
NCRB now describes the service as letting you generate and download the NOC that RTOs require, so you do not need to visit an NCRB office for a printed copy.
How to get NCRB report for vehicle online?
To get the NCRB report for a vehicle online, open NCRB’s central citizen services portal, sign in, choose Generate Vehicle NOC, enter the vehicle’s identifiers and download the result. The whole check takes a few minutes if you have the chassis and engine numbers ready, and it costs nothing.
- Open the NCRB portal. Reach the central citizen services portal through the official NCRB website, not through a search ad.
- Sign in. Log in, or create an account if you are new, following the prompts the portal shows.
- Choose Generate Vehicle NOC. Pick the vehicle NOC service from the list of citizen services.
- Enter vehicle details. Type the registration number, chassis number or engine number, or the type, make and model.
- Download the report. Read the result carefully and save the NOC PDF for the RTO and your records.
Before you start
Take the chassis and engine numbers from the vehicle itself, not only from the RC. If the two do not match, that mismatch is itself a warning sign worth checking.
If the portal is slow
Government portals can be busy during office hours. Try early morning or late evening, and use an up-to-date browser on a computer if the phone view does not load fully.
What is an NCRB vehicle NOC?
An NCRB vehicle NOC is the downloadable certificate generated after the search, stating the theft or crime status that NCRB holds for that vehicle. NCRB describes it as the NOC that RTOs require before an ownership transfer, which is why buyers and dealers ask for it.
What it is not
It is not a licence to sell, a loan clearance or an RTO approval. It speaks only about NCRB’s crime records at the moment you generated it.
How it is used
Buyers attach it to their transfer file and dealers often keep it with the stock papers. Rules differ by state, so check what your RTO asks for.
When do you need an NCRB report for vehicle NOC?
You need an NCRB report for vehicle NOC mainly when a used vehicle is changing owners. It is most useful before money changes hands, because once you pay for a vehicle that later shows up as stolen, getting the money back is slow and uncertain.
Common situations
- Buying a second-hand car, bike or commercial vehicle from a private seller.
- Filing an ownership transfer at the RTO when the office lists the NCRB NOC.
- Buying from an auction, a scrap yard or an unknown dealer.
When it adds little
For a brand-new vehicle bought from an authorised dealer, there is no theft history to check. The report matters most for vehicles that have had at least one previous owner.
What does the NCRB vehicle check cover?
The NCRB vehicle check covers the theft and crime entries that police forces share with NCRB. NCRB says you can search by registration number, chassis number, engine number, or type, make and model, so a vehicle with changed plates can still be caught by its chassis or engine number.
Why chassis and engine matter
Number plates are easy to swap. The chassis and engine numbers are stamped on the vehicle, so searching by them gives a better answer when you suspect the plate is not original.
What it does not cover
It does not show unpaid challans, road tax, insurance or loan status. For registration details such as owner name and fitness, use a vehicle details check on Vahan.
What does NCRB Vahan mean?
NCRB Vahan is the everyday shorthand for running an NCRB check on a vehicle, joining the bureau’s name with the Hindi word for vehicle. It does not refer to a separate portal; people use it when they mean the NCRB vehicle NOC or the older Vahan Samanvay search.
Why the confusion happens
The transport ministry’s registration database is also called Vahan, so “NCRB Vahan” sounds like one system. In reality, the crime record search and the registration record are run separately.
What to search for
If you need the theft status, look for NCRB’s central citizen services and its vehicle NOC option. If you need RC details, go to the Vahan citizen services portal instead.
How does the NCRB report Vahan link work at the RTO?
The NCRB report Vahan link works through paperwork rather than an automatic data feed you can see. When you apply for transfer on the Vahan portal, the RTO may ask you to upload or show the NCRB vehicle NOC so it knows the vehicle is not under a theft case before it records the new owner.
Where it fits in the transfer
The seller and buyer file the transfer forms, pay the fee, and upload documents. The NCRB NOC sits with those documents. For the full process, see our guide to vehicle ownership transfer online.
Interstate moves
When a vehicle leaves its home state, Section 48 of the Motor Vehicles Act requires the RTO to get a police report that no theft case is pending before granting its NOC.
What does NCRB Parivahan mean?
NCRB Parivahan is another search phrase that joins two separate bodies. Parivahan is the transport ministry’s portal for licences and registration, while NCRB is the crime records bureau under the Home Ministry. The vehicle theft check is not run on Parivahan; it is run on NCRB’s citizen services portal.
What Parivahan does handle
Parivahan and its Vahan module handle the RC, tax, fitness, permits and ownership transfer. The NCRB NOC is a supporting document you bring into that process.
Avoiding look-alike sites
Because the two names get mixed up, some private sites offer an “NCRB Parivahan report” for a fee. The official NCRB check is free, so there is no reason to pay a third party.
Which details do you need for the NCRB vehicle check?
For the NCRB vehicle check, keep the registration number, full chassis number and engine number ready, along with the vehicle type, make and model. Any one identifier can start a search, but entering the exact numbers stamped on the vehicle gives the most reliable result.
Where to find each number
| Detail | Where to find it | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Registration number | Number plate and RC | Type without spaces if the form asks |
| Chassis number | RC, and stamped on the frame | Copy all characters, not only the last five |
| Engine number | RC, and stamped on the engine | Clean the stamp area to read it |
| Type, make and model | RC and the vehicle badge | Use when numbers are unreadable |
Check the numbers twice
Many failed searches come from a single wrong character, such as O typed as 0. Read the numbers out loud with the seller present and compare them with the RC.
Does the NCRB vehicle NOC cost anything?
No. The NCRB vehicle NOC costs nothing. NCRB’s public services page says its central citizen services are provided without any fee, and it warns that postal orders or other payments sent by post or email will not be acted on or refunded.
| Item | What NCRB says |
|---|---|
| Fee for the vehicle NOC | No fee |
| Office visit | Not needed |
| Payment by post or email | Not accepted, not refunded |
Agents and cyber cafes
A cyber cafe may charge for its own printing or time, but the check itself is free. Be wary of anyone who says the NCRB fee must be paid to them.
Other fees in the deal
The RTO’s transfer fee and any state charges are separate and are paid on the Vahan portal. They have nothing to do with the NCRB check.
How do you read the NCRB vehicle report result?
Read the NCRB vehicle report by first checking that the vehicle details shown match the numbers on the vehicle, then looking at whether any theft or crime record was found. A clean result with matching numbers is what you want before paying the seller.
Matching the details
Confirm the registration, chassis and engine numbers on the result. If the report shows a different make or model from the vehicle in front of you, stop and recheck.
Saving the result
Download the PDF and keep a printed copy. Note the date you generated it, because the result reflects the records on that day only.
What if the NCRB vehicle check shows a match?
If the NCRB vehicle check shows a match with a theft or crime record, do not pay for or take the vehicle. A match means the vehicle, or a vehicle with the same identifiers, is listed by a police station, and only the police can explain and clear that entry.
Steps to take
- Note the details shown and save the result.
- Tell the seller you cannot proceed until the record is cleared.
- Contact the police station linked to the record, or your local station, for guidance.
If you are the seller
If your own vehicle shows a match, perhaps from an old theft report after recovery, visit the police station that filed it with your RC and recovery papers and ask for the record to be updated.
Why should a used vehicle buyer run an NCRB vehicle check?
A used vehicle buyer should run an NCRB vehicle check because a stolen vehicle can carry a genuine-looking RC, a clean paint job and a fresh number plate. The check costs nothing, takes minutes, and can save you from losing both the money and the vehicle if police later seize it.
What can go wrong without it
Police can seize a stolen vehicle from whoever holds it, even a buyer who paid in good faith. Recovering the money from a seller who has disappeared is difficult.
Run it yourself
Do the search on your own device on the day of purchase. A screenshot from the seller could be old or edited.
How is the NCRB vehicle NOC different from an RTO NOC?
The NCRB vehicle NOC is a free crime-record check from the Home Ministry’s bureau, while an RTO NOC is issued by your registering authority on Form 28 so a vehicle can be re-registered in another state. They answer different questions and one does not replace the other.
| Point | NCRB vehicle NOC | RTO NOC (Form 28) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | NCRB, online | Current RTO |
| Purpose | Theft or crime status | Release to another state |
| When needed | Before buying or transfer | Before re-registration elsewhere |
| How to get it | Central citizen services portal | Vahan or RTO counter |
Where to read more
For the RTO certificate, Form 28 and the 30-day decision rule, see our no objection certificate guide.
Police clearance is separate again
Some states ask for a police station clearance as well. That is covered in our police NOC guide.
Which RTO work needs the NCRB vehicle report?
The RTO work that most often needs the NCRB vehicle report is ownership transfer of a used vehicle, which is the use NCRB itself names. For a move to another state, the law also requires the old RTO to get a police report on theft cases, which is a separate step.
Check the local list
Document lists change by state and sometimes by office. Look at the checklist shown on the Vahan portal for your service, or ask the RTO help desk before you file.
Keep it current
If your application is delayed for weeks, the RTO may want a fresh report. Generating a new one costs nothing, so redo it when in doubt.
What are common NCRB vehicle NOC errors and fixes?
Most NCRB vehicle NOC problems come from portal load, sign-in trouble or typing mistakes in the chassis and engine numbers. A few simple fixes solve nearly all of them without any need to visit an office.
Portal and browser issues
If the page does not open, try again later, clear the browser cache or switch to another browser. Government sites sometimes block older browsers.
Data issues
If the search says the details are invalid, recheck every character, try the chassis number alone, and make sure the vehicle type you picked matches the RC.
Can you run an NCRB vehicle check for another state’s vehicle?
Yes. You can run an NCRB vehicle check for a vehicle registered in any state, because NCRB pulls together records shared by police forces across the country. A bike registered in one state and offered for sale in another can be searched the same way.
Why this matters for interstate deals
Stolen vehicles are often moved far from where they were taken. A national search catches cases that a local check might miss.
Still verify the RC
The RC must be checked on Vahan for the state where the vehicle is registered. The NCRB result covers crime records only.
Is the old Vahan Samanvay website still working?
The old standalone Vahan Samanvay website could not be reached when we checked in October 2026. NCRB’s own public services page now points citizens to its central citizen services portal, where the vehicle NOC service is listed, so use that route.
What to do with old links
Bookmarks or printed instructions with the old address may lead nowhere or to unofficial copies. Start from the NCRB website and follow its link to citizen services.
Confirm before you rely on it
Portals change. If the service moves again, the NCRB website’s public services section is the place to find its current address.
What does the NCRB vehicle report not prove?
The NCRB vehicle report does not prove that a vehicle has clear ownership, no loan, paid taxes or no challans. It only states what NCRB’s crime records showed on the day you searched, so a clean result is one part of a used-vehicle check, not the whole of it.
Other checks to run
- RC status and owner name on Vahan.
- Hypothecation, meaning an active loan entry on the RC.
- Pending e-challans and road tax.
- Valid insurance and PUC.
Time limits of the result
A theft reported after your search will not appear in a report generated earlier. That is why the search should be done close to the payment date.
How should you store the NCRB report for vehicle NOC paperwork?
Store the NCRB report for vehicle NOC paperwork as both a PDF and a printed copy, kept with the sale agreement, RC copy and transfer receipt. If questions come up later, you can show that you checked the vehicle before buying.
Naming the file
Name the PDF with the registration number and date, for example the plate number followed by the search date. This makes it easy to find when the RTO asks for it.
How long to keep it
Keep it at least until the RC shows your name, and ideally for as long as you own the vehicle. It costs nothing to store and can help in any dispute.
What should you do if your own vehicle is stolen?
If your own vehicle is stolen, report it to the police straight away and get a copy of the FIR. The police record is what feeds national stolen-vehicle lists, so an early report makes it more likely that a later NCRB check by a buyer or the police will flag your vehicle.
Insurance and RTO
Tell your insurer quickly with the FIR number. Ask the RTO how to note the theft on the registration record so the vehicle cannot be transferred without you.
After recovery
If the vehicle is found, ask the police to update the record. Otherwise, your own vehicle may show as a match when you later sell it.
Does a police clearance replace the NCRB vehicle report?
A police station clearance does not automatically replace the NCRB vehicle report. Both deal with theft records, but they are issued by different authorities for different steps, and an RTO may list one, the other or both depending on the service and state.
When both are asked for
For interstate transfers, the RTO itself obtains a police report under Section 48 before granting its NOC, while a buyer may still want the NCRB check before paying.
The simple rule
Run the free NCRB search yourself whenever you buy a used vehicle, and supply any police clearance the RTO separately lists. Our Vahan services guide shows where each step fits.
Official links
NCRB central citizen servicesGenerate Vehicle NOC ↗NCRB public services pagencrb.mha.gov.in ↗Vahan citizen servicesvahan.parivahan.gov.in ↗Parivahan Sewaparivahan.gov.in ↗Ncrb vehicle report questions
Is the NCRB vehicle NOC free?
Yes. NCRB states that its central citizen services are provided without any fee. It also warns that postal orders or other payments sent by post or email are not acted on and are not refunded.
Do I need to visit an NCRB office?
No. NCRB says the earlier practice of visiting its office in person is no longer needed. The search and the NOC download are done online.
Can I search with only the chassis number?
Yes. The vehicle NOC service accepts a registration number, chassis number or engine number, or the type, make and model. The full chassis number gives the most precise search.
Is Vahan Samanvay the same as the NCRB vehicle NOC?
People use Vahan Samanvay for NCRB's motor vehicle coordination search, which the vehicle NOC service now provides through the central citizen services portal. The old standalone website may not be available.
Does a clean NCRB report mean the vehicle has no loan?
No. NCRB checks theft and crime records only. A bank loan shows as hypothecation on the RC in the Vahan record, so check that separately.
Who should run the check, buyer or seller?
The buyer should run it, on the day of purchase if possible. A printout from the seller may be old, and the result is only as current as the day it was generated.
Does every RTO ask for the NCRB report?
NCRB says RTOs require the vehicle NOC before ownership transfer, but document lists differ by state. Check your RTO's current list before you file the transfer.
What if my own vehicle shows as stolen by mistake?
Contact the police station named in the record, carry your RC and purchase papers, and ask how the entry can be corrected. Only the police who filed the record can update it.
Can I use the NCRB vehicle check for a vehicle from another state?
Yes. NCRB holds records shared by police across the country, so the search is not limited to your own state.
Parivahan Sewa (parivahansewa-in.com) is an independent information website and is not affiliated with MoRTH, Parivahan or any state transport department. Confirm fees and rules on the official portal before you pay or apply.