FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions

Transport Service

1. What

information or documents do we need while applying for vehicle registration?

– A person applying for vehicle

registration shall:

 submit

duly filled and signed application Form-I available on BCTA webpage  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QNX9p3ocsvAoWSeTngeBA7HzsfVJqA-5/view

 

 submit a

copy of Citizenship Identity Card or any form of identification documents  

Issued by

Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs for the Bhutanese Nationals and Passport/recognized identification documents for Non-Bhutanese as

proof of identity, age

and eligibility;

 submit import declaration and commercial invoice

issued by manufacturer/principal Company duly endorsed

by DRC at the point of entry, original invoice of dealer and emission compliance certificate;

 Pay the fee specified in Schedule-I of

the road safety and transport Regulations 2021; and

 produce

certificate of incorporation for registration in name of registered company;



Certificate of registration or authorization from relevant authority for

registration in the name of any entity established under

the law;

 in case of a vehicle on “import quota”,

entitled as per vehicle import quota rules, a letter (import authorization) to this effect, along with a copy of Tax

clearance certificate;

 Letter

from the Ministry of Finance for allotment of BG registration number; and

 In the

case of a vehicle purchased from other countries by the owner directly without involving local dealer(s), the vehicle shall be registered based on

the Department of Revenue and Customs certified documents.  

 

2.

Procedure for Registration Certificate replacement in case of damage or lost

 – The vehicle owner can apply for

the Registration Certificate replacement in person or online https://eralis.rsta.gov.bt/services/vehicles/search?serviceType=rc-replacement. 

– Nu. 500 shall be applicable fees for

issuance of new registration certificate.  

 

3.

Procedure for cancellation of the motor vehicle registration certificate?

– The BCTA shall cancel the registration

of a motor vehicle:

 at the written

request of a registered owner to cancel registration;

 the Authority, upon physical verification, found

the motor vehicle in un-roadworthy conditions or

 the

cancellation is deemed necessary for the purpose of road safety 

– The owner must produce a Central

Registry Secured Transaction (CRST) Report prior to cancellation of motor vehicles.

– The vehicle registration number will

not be revived once canceled at the written request of a registered owner.  

4. What will account to

unlawful alteration and modification of motor vehicles?

– An act of

unlawful modification to a vehicle shall be considered, if a person: a. changes the color of the vehicle without informing the BCTA;

b. use

tinted glass on any of the car windows;

c. use

tinted lighting system in a vehicle;

d. affix additional features of lights in

a vehicle that are unsafe for other road users,  other than those fixed by

manufacturing company;

e. extend

the size of the vehicle beyond what is specified by the manufacturer; f. modifies horn with an intention to produce excessive noise; and

g. any alteration which is deemed inappropriate as

per the Road Safety & Transport  Regulations or as may be determined by the BCTA.

 

5. When should we transfer the ownership?

– A person selling a vehicle shall,

within 15 days of sale, apply for ownership transfer of the  vehicle in the name of the person

buying the vehicle.   

6. What

information or documents do we need while doing ownership transfer of a

motor  vehicle?

-An application for transfer of ownership

of a vehicle shall be accompanied by:

       Ã‚ a deed of sale which includes the sale

price of the vehicle and the signature of the  seller and buyer, signed across a

legal stamp and a witness from each party; ● Central Registry Secured Transaction for verification of

hypothecation status by the  BCTA;

 copy of

Citizenship Identity Card of buyer;

 recent

passport size photograph of buyer;

 the

registration certificate of the vehicle; and

 property transfers tax and, other fees or charges

for change of ownership, specified  in Schedule-I of Road safety and transport Regulations

2021, unless otherwise  granted exemption under this

Regulations;

 certificate of incorporation for registration

in the name of registered company in  addition to other requirements;

 death certificate or certified letter

from competent authority along with no objection  from family members and family

tree for transfer of vehicle from a deceased  registered owner to the next of kin; 

 death

certificate and marriage certificate or certification from competent authority

in  case of ownership transfer from the deceased registered owner to his/her

spouse; ● clearance

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in case of CD vehicle; or ● Letter of handing-taking or

letter from Ministry of Finance in case of BG registered  vehicle

 

7. Who is liable to pay the property

transfer tax (Vehicle ownership Transfer tax)?  

– The responsibility for payment of

property transfer tax shall be as per the Deed of Sale  executed between the Seller and

the Buyer. 

8. Who is

exempted from payment of property transfer tax?  

– The payment of property transfer tax is

exempted if a vehicle ownership is transferred: ● between immediate family members, (immediate family members shall

refer to parent,

children and spouse);

 From

grandparents to grandchildren;

 From a sibling who is the legal

custodian of the inherited property to other biological or legally adopted siblings;

 returned

to the main house after the death of the person;

 split as

one’s share of property under joint ownership;

 shared under a divorce settlement agreement as per

the Marriage Act of Kingdom of Bhutan;

 To registered Religious Organizations

and registered public benefit organization registered under Chhoedey Lhentshog and Civil Society Organizations

respectively; between

exempt international organizations;

 From

children to the parents;

 To Zhung

Dratshang or Dratshang Lhentshog;

 between

members registered under the same census record; and

 Between

Government Agencies 

9. Is

change of vehicle registration number allowed once being registered in another

region? 

– No.

Change of vehicle registration number is not allowed. However, conversion of

registration from taxi to private is permitted.  

10. Can

a second hand/reconditioned vehicle be permitted to be imported into the

country? 

– The BCTA shall neither permit nor

register a second hand/reconditioned vehicle imported into the country.  

– Nonetheless, an expatriate may

bring a used vehicle on posting in Bhutan with a condition that the vehicle shall be re-exported

upon completion of term of employment in the country. 

11.

What is the procedure to obtain a learner license? 

– BCTA

shall require an applicant for a learner license to:

 be 17

years of age or more;

 produce Citizenship Identity Card or

other forms of identification documents issued  by Ministry of Home for Bhutanese

Nationals, and passport or other form of  identification document in case of non-Bhutanese in professional and

managerial  level;

 Produce

latest passport-size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese;

 produce a

medical screening certificate duly sealed and signed by a certified medical doctor within the country;

 submit a

duly filled application Form-I; and

 Pay fees

applicable fees. 

12. What are different categories of driving

license in Bhutan?

– Driving

license in Bhutan is categorized as:

 Learner

Driving License;

 Ordinary

Driving Licence; and



Professional Driving Licence 

13. What is the age requirement to obtain a

Professional Driving License to drive a Taxi?

– 21 years & possess 3 years of experience of

driving light vehicles.  

 

14. Procedure to obtain an ordinary driving

license?

– be 18

years of age or more at the time of applying for a light, two-wheeler;  – be 21 years or more of age to

sit for medium, heavy and equipment license – Possess Learner license at least six months

(self-learner) & three months for trainees passed  out from Driving Training Institutes;

– produce

certificate of one day introductory course conducted by driving training

institute or  certificate of having attended road safety awareness provided by the

Authority; –

undergone both theoretical & practical tests in person and achieved the

min. pass score set;  – produce a copy of the latest

passport-size photograph in national dress for Bhutanese; – produce Citizenship Identity

Card or other forms of identification documents for Bhutanese  Nationals, and passport or other identification cards in case of

foreigners; and – pay

fee applicable fees. 

15. Procedure to replace driving license in case

of loss or damage?

– Visit near BCTA office with an application for

replacement or avail online at https://eralis.rsta.gov.bt/services/driving/search?serviceType=driving-replacement 

   16. How many days a driving license is

issued after having a successful driving test?

– In three days the driving license shall be

ready in hard copy. While it will be digitally available online by the

afternoon of the same day on which driving test was conducted.  

17. What is the minimum age in Bhutan to obtain

a driving license?

– 18 years 

 18.  What is the minimum age in

Bhutan to obtain a Learner License?

-17 years

 

19. Who is eligible to own & drive a Taxi?

An applicant must:

– possess Professional Driving License for light

vehicle

– must be Bhutanese Citizenship identity card

holder 

– Only one taxi against a CID no. 

– be 21 years old or more. 

 

 20. What is

the validity of a driving license?  

– 5-10

years for ordinary driving license  

– 3 years

for a provisional driving license.  

 

21. What is

the acceptable level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?  

– Zero

tolerance for a person with driving experience of 3 years & below and

professional driving license holders.  

–

0.08g/100ml for a person holding an Ordinary Driving License with more than 3

years driving experience. 

22. What is

the permitted time period for payment of Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN)?  – The fine

imposed should be paid/cleared within 7 days from the date of the notice.  – An additional amount of Nu.750/

week shall be imposed for failing to pay within the provided time frame. 

The driving

license will be punched for failing to pay after four weeks’ time 

23. Can we

choose the vehicle registration numbers?

-Yes, a

vehicle owner may choose a registration number upon the payment of non

refundable fee of Nu.100,000 per the request. 

24. Is it

possible to transfer an existing vehicle registration number?

-Yes it is

allowed to transfer his/her existing vehicle number registered in his/her name

to a new vehicle (to be registered in his/her name) after the payment of non

refundable fee of Nu. 100,000. However, transfer of registration number from

one vehicle to another vehicle which is already registered with the Authority

is not allowed.