In a major move to modernize vehicle registration in the capital, the Excise and Taxation Department Islamabad has unveiled a new US-style vehicle registration system aimed at boosting transparency and convenience for vehicle owners.
According to a recent official notification, the upgraded system will fundamentally change how number plates are assigned. Unlike the traditional method where the registration number is linked to the vehicle, Islamabad’s new policy will permanently assign a unique vehicle registration number to the owner instead.
This means every vehicle owner in Islamabad will receive a lifetime registration number that stays with them, regardless of how many times they buy or sell a car. The Islamabad vehicle registration system will apply to both new registrations and existing vehicles already on the road.
When a vehicle is sold, the seller’s registration number will be deactivated, while the new owner will be issued a separate registration number connected to their name. This change is designed to prevent fraud, illegal transfers, and misuse of number plates, which have long been issues with the old vehicle registration system in Islamabad.
The department also announced that owners will be able to keep their unique registration number for up to one year even if they do not own a vehicle during that period. However, if the number is not linked to a new vehicle within the year, it will be cancelled and reassigned.
According to the Director General of Excise and Taxation Islamabad, the main goal of the new Islamabad vehicle registration system is to make the process more secure, transparent, and user-friendly. By assigning number plates to people instead of vehicles, the department aims to simplify vehicle transfers and keep ownership records up to date.
This new owner-based registration model brings Islamabad in line with best practices already used in the United States and other developed countries. It is part of Pakistan’s broader push to digitize public services and eliminate loopholes that allow fraud and corruption.
For Islamabad’s residents, this new system means fewer complications when buying or selling vehicles and a more streamlined, secure process for keeping ownership details accurate.
The updated vehicle registration system is expected to be rolled out soon, with further details to be announced by the Excise and Taxation Department in the coming weeks.
