Is my old NIC number still valid for selling my car?

Yes. Your old and new NIC numbers both identify the same person. Keep a note of both and bring certified copies of your current NIC to the DMT office along with the CR book.

Who issues a letter confirming my old and new NIC are the same person?

The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) Number Confirmation Branch handles this. You can email niclookup.ccu@drp.lk or call 011 522 6164 to ask what they need from you.

Does a NIC mismatch delay the vehicle transfer?

It can, if the DMT officer isn't satisfied the old and new numbers belong to you. Carrying proof (old NIC copy, new NIC, and a DRP or Grama Niladhari letter if asked) avoids a second visit.

Do I still need a TIN to sell my car if my NIC has changed?

As of November 2026, a TIN is required for vehicle transactions at the DMT regardless of your NIC format, as reported by motorguide.lk. This is separate from the NIC number issue.

What if I can't remember my old 9-digit NIC number?

Check old documents like your driving licence, bank records, or a previous CR book copy. If you truly can't find it, the DRP's Number Confirmation Branch can look it up for you.

Guide6 min read3 views

Selling a Car in Sri Lanka When Your NIC Number Has Changed

Updated 6 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team

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Yes, you can still sell and transfer the car. Take both your old 9-digit NIC number and your new 12-digit NIC to the DMT divisional office with your CR book, and get a confirmation letter from the Department for Registration of Persons if the office asks for one.

Why Doesn't My NIC Number Match My Car's CR Book?

If your car was first registered or last transferred before January 2016, your CR book may still show your old 9-digit NIC number ending in V or X (like 911042754V). Since then, if you replaced, renewed, or re-applied for your NIC, you were issued the new 12-digit format. Both numbers belong to the same person — Sri Lanka's identity card system simply moved from a 9-digit-plus-letter format to a 12-digit format starting 1 January 2016, and the new number is a reformatted version of the old one, not a new identity. The mismatch only becomes a problem at the DMT counter if the officer processing your sale can't easily see that the two numbers are you.

Key facts

Old NIC format: 9 digits plus a letter (V or X), issued before 1 January 2016.
New NIC format: 12 digits, issued from 1 January 2016 onward, with no letter.
Both NIC numbers represent the same legal identity — not two separate people.
You need the original CR book, a current revenue licence, and certified NIC copies of both seller and buyer to transfer ownership.
Forms MTA 6 (application for transfer, signed by both parties) and MTA 8 (notice of transfer of possession) are required at the DMT divisional office, per MotorGuide.lk.
The buyer must submit transfer documents to the DMT within 14 days of purchase, or face a late penalty, per MotorGuide.lk.
As of November 2026, a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is also required for vehicle transactions at the DMT, separate from the NIC issue, per MotorGuide.lk's reporting on the 2026 mandatory online transfer system.
The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) Number Confirmation Branch can confirm in writing that your old and new NIC numbers belong to the same person.

Can You Sell a Car in Sri Lanka If Your NIC Number Has Changed?

Yes, you can. A changed NIC format does not stop you from selling or transferring your vehicle. What matters is that you can show the DMT officer that the NIC number on your old registration paperwork and the NIC number on the card you're currently holding both identify you. In practice, sellers in this situation are expected to bring both the old and new NIC numbers to the DMT divisional office, along with the CR book, so staff can match the record.

How Do You Prove Your Old and New NIC Are the Same Person?

The simplest proof is your current NIC card itself, plus a note or photocopy of the old number if you still have it (check an old driving licence, a bank passbook, or a previous CR book copy — these often still show the old-format number). If the DMT officer wants something more formal, or if your own records of the old number are unclear, the Department for Registration of Persons' Number Confirmation Branch handles exactly this. You can reach them by email at [email protected] or by phone on 011 522 6164 to ask what they need to issue a confirmation. A Grama Niladhari certificate confirming your identity can also help if your current address differs from what's on file.

What Documents Do You Need at the DMT Office?

Besides sorting out the NIC number question, gather the standard transfer set:

The original CR book (Certificate of Registration).
A valid, current revenue licence for the vehicle.
Certified copies of the NIC for both you (the seller) and the buyer.
The MTA 6 form, signed by both seller and buyer.
The MTA 8 form (notice of transfer of vehicle possession).
Your TIN, as this is now required for the transaction, as of November 2026 — check the current rule at your DMT divisional office since requirements can change.
If there's a lease or bank mortgage still on the vehicle, a release letter from the finance company.

Before you list the car, it's worth checking your CR book, NIC, and revenue licence all line up so there are no surprises when a serious buyer turns up. Our safety tips page covers other document checks worth doing before you hand over a vehicle.

Step-by-Step: Selling Your Car When Your NIC Number Has Changed

Pull out your current NIC and, separately, find a record of your old NIC number from an old licence, passbook, or previous vehicle paperwork.
Get certified photocopies of your current NIC (a Justice of the Peace or Grama Niladhari can certify these).
List your vehicle on Wahanaya's vehicles section and agree a price with your buyer — use price check if you want a market-based estimate first.
Fill in the MTA 6 and MTA 8 forms with the buyer once you've agreed the sale.
Go to your DMT divisional office with the CR book, revenue licence, certified NICs, and your TIN.
If asked about the NIC mismatch, show both numbers and, if needed, a DRP confirmation letter or Grama Niladhari certificate.
Make sure the buyer submits the paperwork within 14 days of the sale to avoid a late penalty.

What If the Buyer's NIC Doesn't Match Either?

The same logic applies to the buyer. If they've also moved from an old-format NIC to a new one, or their CR book copy from an earlier purchase shows a different number, they should bring the same proof — current NIC, a record of the old number if relevant, and a DRP letter if the DMT asks for one. This is a common situation for anyone who's owned a vehicle or ID card for more than a decade, so DMT staff are generally used to handling it.

What If You've Lost Your Old NIC or Can't Remember the Number?

If you genuinely can't trace your old NIC number anywhere, don't worry — the DRP's Number Confirmation Branch can look it up against your personal details and issue a letter. Bring whatever identifying documents you have (birth certificate, old licence, previous NIC card if you still physically have it) when you contact them, since they'll need to verify it's really you before releasing the old number.

Does This Affect the Revenue Licence or Insurance?

No. Your revenue licence and insurance policy are tied to the vehicle and the current NIC on file, not the old number. Once the DMT transfer goes through under your current NIC, there's no separate step needed for the revenue licence or insurance side because of the NIC format change itself.

Where to Ask More Questions

NIC and DMT rules get updated from time to time, and procedures can vary slightly between divisional offices. If you're unsure how your local office is handling an old-to-new NIC mismatch, ask in the Wahanaya forum — other sellers who've been through the same process recently can tell you what worked for them. And once your documents are sorted, you can post your ad and move ahead with the sale with one less thing to worry about.

Sources

Questions

Is my old NIC number still valid for selling my car?: Yes. Your old and new NIC numbers both identify the same person. Keep a note of both and bring certified copies of your current NIC to the DMT office along with the CR book.
Who issues a letter confirming my old and new NIC are the same person?: The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) Number Confirmation Branch handles this. You can email [email protected] or call 011 522 6164 to ask what they need from you.
Does a NIC mismatch delay the vehicle transfer?: It can, if the DMT officer isn't satisfied the old and new numbers belong to you. Carrying proof (old NIC copy, new NIC, and a DRP or Grama Niladhari letter if asked) avoids a second visit.
Do I still need a TIN to sell my car if my NIC has changed?: As of November 2026, a TIN is required for vehicle transactions at the DMT regardless of your NIC format, as reported by motorguide.lk. This is separate from the NIC number issue.
What if I can't remember my old 9-digit NIC number?: Check old documents like your driving licence, bank records, or a previous CR book copy. If you truly can't find it, the DRP's Number Confirmation Branch can look it up for you.

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Do You Need a Valid VET Certificate to Sell a Car in Sri Lanka?

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