What happens if the seller’s name is still on the RC?

If the seller’s name is still on the RC, it simply means the car hasn’t been transferred on paper yet. It may not feel urgent on the day you take delivery, but it matters because all records at the RTO and traffic authorities still point to the old owner.

• When you get the car, see the RC once the physical card or the DigiLocker version. If the seller’s name is still there, both sides need to start the transfer forms soon.
• The seller signs the basic RTO forms, and you submit them along with the insurance copy and your ID. Once the forms are logged, the RC update moves on its own.
• Until the transfer is done, any challan, accident or police inquiry goes to the seller. If the insurance claim comes up during this period, it can get messy because the records don’t match.
• A small written note to the RTO, with a copy of the sale agreement, helps keep a record. Sellers sometimes do this if buyers take too long to submit the papers.

It’s a simple step, but getting the RC updated early avoids back-and-forth later.