PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has introduced a new vehicle registration and number plate system across the province, bringing it in line with the federal model, the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department announced.
The new system has come into effect immediately and will be fully enforced after November 30, 2025.
Under the rules, vehicle registration numbers and number plates will now be linked to the owner’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) instead of the vehicle’s chassis number.
Officials said the initiative aims to prevent the misuse of vehicles in crimes and simplify ownership transfer procedures.
New Rules for Vehicle Registration
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Vehicle buyers must transfer ownership into their names within three months of purchase.
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Sellers are responsible for ensuring the proper transfer to the new buyer.
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Failure to comply could lead to penalties or future complications.
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Changes for Number Plates and Smart Cards
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When a vehicle is sold, the CNIC-linked registration copy or smart card will be deactivated, but it will remain with the previous owner until reassignment.
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Owners can transfer their registration number and number plates to a new vehicle.
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Deactivated registration numbers can be retained for up to three years, with annual biometric verification required.
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If a number is not reassigned within three years, it will be cancelled, and the related documents and plates must be returned to the Excise Department.
The department urged citizens to follow the new rules to avoid legal issues and to help improve vehicle tracking, road safety, and security across KP.
Similar System Coming to Punjab
Starting September 1, 2025, the Punjab Excise Department will also introduce a CNIC-linked number plate system, similar to KP’s.
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For the first time, number plates will no longer stay with the car; instead, they will belong to the owner, just like a mobile phone number.
Until now, number plates were tied to vehicles, meaning they stayed with the car even after being sold. Under the new system, plates will be directly linked to the owner’s CNIC, improving vehicle identification, preventing misuse, and ensuring transparency for buyers, sellers, and law enforcement agencies.
What’s Changing
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In the old system, the number plate stayed with the car after a sale.
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From September 1, plates will belong to the owner and can be transferred to any new vehicle they purchase.
