LAHORE: The Punjab Provincial Cabinet has granted approval for amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules, aimed at streamlining the biometric process for the transfer of vehicles.
The decision comes after collaborative consultations between the Excise Department and the Motor Dealers Association, Profit learnt here on Wednesday.
According to the spokesperson of the Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control (ET&NC) Department Punjab Under the previous system, both the buyer and seller of a vehicle were required to undergo biometric verification for the transfer process.
However, the approved amendments now alter this requirement. Only the seller of the vehicle will be responsible for initiating the biometric transfer application. Following this change, buyers will have the option to obtain their biometric verification within a thirty-day window by paying the designated fee.
It is noteworthy that a penalty of RS 10,000 per month will be imposed upon buyers who fail to submit their biometric verification within the stipulated thirty-day period.
Furthermore, if a buyer neglects to provide their biometric information for a total of 120 days, they will be subjected to acquiring a new biometric verification, accompanied by a full penalty.
He also informed that the amendments also introduce a significant modification pertaining to acceptable documentation for vehicle transfers. Alongside the inheritance certificate, individuals seeking vehicle transfer will now have the option to utilize a family certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
In comparison to the previous procedure, which was introduced by the ET&NC just over a year ago, either the buyer or seller had the authority to apply for vehicle transfer online. The implementation of this process saw a prevalence of vehicle transfers, especially in urban regions, through the Punjab government’s mobile app, ePay.
However, representatives from the second-hand car market assert that the transfer fee should be borne by the buyer as per market norms, as they are the ones assuming ownership. This led to a practice where buyers initiated the transfer request and shared a corresponding code with the seller.
The seller, in turn, would provide their biometric data to a nearby agent for verification, confirming the legitimacy of the vehicle sale. Subsequently, the buyer would proceed to verify their biometric information and complete the vehicle transfer process under their name.
