Documents & Paperwork
Documents Required for Car Transport in Pakistan
The papers you need before a carrier loads your car — and the ones that quietly cause delays at the terminal.
We've been moving cars between Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and 50-plus other cities since 2014, and the single most common cause of a delayed pickup is missing paperwork. It's rarely the vehicle — it's the documents. Someone turns up at the DHA terminal with a car but no registration book, or a leased vehicle with no bank NOC, and the trailer has to leave without them.
This guide lists exactly what to keep ready. Think of it as the checklist our own booking staff run through on the phone before we confirm a slot. If you want the bigger picture first, start with our guide to the professional car carrier service we run.
1. The Three Papers Everyone Needs
These are non-negotiable on every shipment we handle:
- Original vehicle registration book (the Excise & Taxation smart card or older register book)
- A clear copy of your CNIC — the registered owner's card is what we verify
- The carrier's booking receipt or slip with your job number and route
Keep the originals with you. The driver carries a transit copy so any checkpoint along the motorway can confirm the shipment is legitimate.
2. When the Car Is Financed or Leased
If a bank still holds the vehicle, you must bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financing institution. We won't load a leased or hypothecated car without it — not because we're difficult, but because a disputed vehicle flagged at a toll plaza puts our whole trailer at risk. Get the NOC a few days early; banks in Gulberg or Blue Area can take 48 hours to process it.
3. If Someone Else Is Handing Over the Car
Owners living abroad or out of town ask a relative or driver to deliver the car. In that case carry:
- Copy of the registered owner's CNIC
- A signed authority letter naming the person handing over the vehicle
- The sender's own CNIC copy for the record
- The booking receipt showing the job was placed in the owner's name
4. Papers That Travel With the Car
Two documents ride inside the cabin: the condition report (also called the bill of lading) describing the car's state at pickup, and a copy of the registration book. The condition report is your proof if anything is questioned on delivery, so read it before you sign. Our tracking and delivery process is built around that document.
5. Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
- Bringing only a scanned copy of the smart card — terminals need the physical document
- Forgetting the bank NOC on a leased car until the trailer is at the gate
- Mismatched names between CNIC and registration book after a recent transfer
- Handing over the car with unpaid token tax flagged in the Excise record
Bikes follow the same logic. If you're also shifting a motorcycle, see our notes on the motorcycle transport service — the CNIC and registration rules are identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the original registration book enough to send my car?
No. You also need a copy of your CNIC and the carrier's booking receipt. If the vehicle is financed or leased, the bank's NOC is required before any reputable company will load it.
Which CNIC do I need — owner or sender?
The CNIC of the registered owner is what matters for verification. If someone else is handing over the car, carry a copy of the owner's CNIC plus an authority letter; some routes also ask for the sender's CNIC.
Do I need transfer papers to transport my own car?
Not if you are the registered owner moving your own vehicle between cities. Transfer papers are only needed when ownership is changing hands at the destination.
What if my car is under bank financing or a lease?
You must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the financing bank confirming the move is permitted. Without it, the carrier risks being flagged for a stolen or disputed vehicle.
What papers should travel with the car during transit?
The condition report (bill of lading) and a copy of the registration book. Keep the originals with you. The driver carries the transit copy so any checkpoint can verify the shipment.
Can I send a car without the smart card?
In most cases the registration book or smart card is mandatory proof of ownership. A scanned copy is not accepted at the terminal; you need the physical document or a notarised authority letter.
Documents Ready? Book Your Slot
Send us your route and we'll confirm exactly which papers to bring to the terminal.