What Documents Do You Need to Buy a Used Car in Sri Lanka?

What documents do you need to buy a used car in Sri Lanka?

You need the seller's original Certificate of Registration (CR book), a signed MTA 6 transfer form, an MTA 8 possession notice, certified NIC copies of both buyer and seller, a valid revenue licence, and the vehicle's current VET emission certificate. If the car was ever on a lease or bank loan, you also need a letter releasing that mortgage. Without all of these, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) will not register the car in your name, no matter how good a price you got.

Key facts

• The original CR book must change hands — a photocopy or "duplicate" CR book needs extra checks, since duplicates are sometimes issued after a book is reported lost while the original is still in use elsewhere.
• The transfer uses two linked forms: MTA 6 (filled and signed by the seller, in copies A, A1, B, B1) and MTA 8 (the buyer's possession notice, copies C, C1), as listed on the DMT's own forms page (dmt.gov.lk).
• A valid revenue licence, in-date VET emission certificate, and proof of insurance are checked at the DMT counter before they will process the transfer, per DMT and MotorGuide.lk guidance.
• You get certified photocopies of both parties' NICs — certified by a Justice of the Peace, Grama Niladhari, or similar officer — plus two passport-size (2"x2.5") photos, one of them certified.
• If the registered owner is an institution, bank, or finance company, you need their written release of ownership before the DMT will accept the transfer.
• As of November 2026, buyers are expected to lodge the transfer within 14 days of purchase, after which a late penalty applies — check the current fee at your DMT transfer office, since these rates change.
• Transfers are processed either at the DMT head office or at the transfer counter of your nearest Divisional Secretariat that handles motor traffic work.

What must the seller hand over to you?

The seller should give you the original CR book, the signed MTA 6 forms (their copies, usually B and B1), the current revenue licence (or at least proof it is valid), a copy of their NIC, and — if the vehicle was leased or mortgaged — the bank or finance company's letter confirming the loan is cleared and ownership rights are released. If there's an existing VET emission certificate that hasn't expired, ask for a copy of that too, since you'll need a valid one to register the transfer. It also helps to get the service book, spare key, and any import permit paperwork if the vehicle came in on a duty concession, though these aren't DMT requirements.

What do you need to bring yourself?

Bring your original NIC and a certified photocopy, two recent passport-size photos (2 inches by 2.5 inches, one certified by an authorised officer), and the MTA 8 form filled in and signed as the new possessor. If you're registering the car to an address different from the one on your NIC, carry a Grama Niladhari residence certificate. If your name on the NIC doesn't match a name on older paperwork — for example after marriage — bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Rules around whether a Tax Identification Number (TIN) is needed have changed recently, so confirm the current position with your transfer office before you go.

What forms actually get signed at the DMT?

MTA 6 is the seller's declaration transferring the vehicle; MTA 8 is your acknowledgement that you've taken possession of it. Both need to be completed accurately — the chassis number, engine number, and registration number on the forms must match the CR book exactly, since a mismatch is one of the most common reasons transfers get rejected or delayed. If the seller cannot attend in person, DMT practice allows a certified letter of no objection from them instead, but it's simpler for both of you to go together or use a trusted representative with proper authorisation.

What if the vehicle still has a lease or bank loan on it?

Never hand over the full payment until you've seen the release letter from the bank or finance company confirming the hypothecation is cleared. A car still under an active lease or mortgage legally belongs — in part — to the lender, and the DMT will not transfer it to you until that institution confirms release. If you're unsure whether a car still has a lease registered against it, ask the seller directly and verify through the transfer office before committing any deposit. This is one of the most common ways buyers lose money on a used car deal in Sri Lanka.

What should you check before you pay the full price?

Match the chassis and engine numbers stamped on the vehicle against what's printed in the CR book. Confirm the revenue licence is current and in the seller's name. Check that the VET emission certificate hasn't expired, since you'll need a valid one at the transfer counter. Ask for the original insurance cover note or policy and confirm it's actually in force. If anything looks altered, re-typed, or inconsistent across documents, slow down and ask questions rather than paying a deposit to "hold" the deal. You can cross-check the market price for the model on /price-check before you negotiate, and browse similar listings on /vehicles to see what comparable cars are going for.

What mistakes do buyers make with paperwork?

The most common mistake is paying the full price before confirming the CR book is original and the vehicle has no outstanding lease or mortgage. The second is accepting a duplicate CR book without asking why the original was lost — sometimes this points to a dispute or an unresolved claim. The third is forgetting the 14-day transfer deadline and only realising later that a late fee now applies, or that the car is still legally the previous owner's responsibility for traffic offences and insurance claims until the transfer is lodged. The fourth is signing MTA 6 or MTA 8 with details that don't match the CR book exactly, which sends you back to the counter for corrections.

Checklist: documents to confirm before you hand over the money

• Original CR book matches the vehicle's chassis and engine numbers
• Revenue licence is valid and in the seller's name
• VET emission certificate is current
• Insurance cover note or policy is genuine and active
• MTA 6 filled and signed by the seller, with matching vehicle details
• MTA 8 ready for you to sign as the new possessor
• Letter of release from the bank or finance company, if the vehicle was leased or mortgaged
• Your NIC, certified photocopy, and two certified passport photos ready for the transfer office

If you're buying with a bank loan or lease rather than cash, check our /leasing monthly payment calculator before you commit to a price, and once you're ready to sell your current vehicle, you can list it on /post-ad. For more on staying safe during the handover and payment, see /safety-tips. If anything about your specific situation looks unusual — a duplicate CR book, a lease you can't verify, mismatched names — ask other buyers and sellers on the /forum before you pay anything.

Sources

• Department of Motor Traffic - Registration of Ownership Transfer
• Department of Motor Traffic - Forms
• MotorGuide.lk - Documents for Registration/Vehicle Ownership Transfer
• MotorGuide.lk - How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership Correctly
• MotorGuide.lk - What is Vehicle VIC Sticker