MTMIS Pakistan: Online Vehicle Verification System
Buying a used car or motorcycle comes with one nagging question: is this vehicle really what the seller says it is? MTMIS Pakistan helps you answer that in a couple of minutes. We point you to the official verification portal for your province, explain what each result means, and show you what to check before any money changes hands.
Whether the plate says Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta, Mirpur or Gilgit, an MTMIS check in Pakistan starts the same way. First, pick the province that registered the vehicle. Then follow the steps, match the record against the documents, and walk away from any deal that does not add up.
What Is MTMIS Pakistan?
MTMIS stands for Motor Transport Management Information System. It is the computerised record that provincial Excise and Taxation departments use to register vehicles, log ownership transfers and track motor vehicle tax. In everyday use, "MTMIS Pakistan" simply means checking a vehicle's official registration record online.
However, Pakistan has no single public database that covers every vehicle. Instead, each province and region keeps its own records. Punjab calls its system MTMIS, Sindh runs a motor vehicle record service on the Excise Sindh website, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa publishes its records through KP Excise e-services. The names differ, but the purpose stays the same.
That split is exactly why MTMIS Pakistan exists. Rather than hunting through seven government websites, you start here, choose the right region, and reach the correct official portal the first time.
MTMIS Pakistan Province Directory at a Glance
The MTMIS Pakistan directory below lists who keeps vehicle records in each region, the official portal and today's search options. It is worth bookmarking, because it saves a surprising amount of guesswork.
| Region | Record keeper | Official portal | Search by | Extra help |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Punjab | mtmis.excise.punjab.gov.pk | Registration number | SMS to 8785; helpline 1035 |
| Sindh | Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Sindh | excise.gos.pk | Registration number (car or bike), CNIC | 24/7 call centre (021) 111-374-634 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, KP | kpexcise.gov.pk | Registration number | Registration book status e-service |
| Islamabad (ICT) | Excise & Taxation Department, Islamabad | islamabadexcise.gov.pk | Registration number | Excise office, Islamabad |
| Balochistan | Excise, Taxation & Anti-Narcotics Department, Balochistan | excise.balochistan.gov.pk | Registration number | Tax calculator on the department website |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | Inland Revenue Department, AJ&K Central Board of Revenue | ird.ajk.gov.pk | Registration number | Online token tax verification |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Excise & Taxation Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan | gbexcise.gov.pk | Vehicle number | Regional excise offices |
Also, government portals change their layout from time to time. If a link stops working, tell us through our contact page and we will update it quickly.
How to Check a Vehicle on MTMIS Pakistan, Step by Step
An MTMIS check in Pakistan takes about two minutes once you have the number plate in front of you. Then follow these steps in order:
- Note the registration number exactly. Copy the letters and digits just as the registration book or smart card shows them.
- Identify the registering province. A car on the road in Lahore may still carry a Karachi or Islamabad registration, so go by the plate and papers rather than your current city.
- Open the official portal. Use the province logos above or the directory table, and skip any app that asks for money.
- Select the vehicle type and search. Some portals, such as Sindh's, ask you to choose between four-wheelers and two-wheelers first.
- Compare every field with the documents. Match the chassis number, engine number, make, model, colour and owner name against the paperwork.
- Check the token tax status. Note the "paid up to" date, because unpaid tax usually becomes the buyer's problem after the transfer.
- Pause if anything looks off. Even one wrong digit in the chassis or engine number is reason enough to stop and visit the excise office.
Four Ways to Run an MTMIS Check in Pakistan
Most people only know the number plate search. However, there are four routes, and each one suits a different situation.
By Registration Number
Every official portal supports this search, and it is the quickest option. All you need is the number plate, so it works even before you meet the seller. For the best results, type the number in the format the portal suggests; Sindh's form, for example, shows a sample format right inside the search box.
By CNIC
Sindh offers an official vehicle search by CNIC. It lists the vehicles recorded against a CNIC number, which makes it a smart privacy check. Run your own CNIC once a year so that no vehicle sits in your name without your knowledge.
Most other regions stick to number-based searches, so a CNIC lookup is not available everywhere. Also, only search a CNIC that belongs to you or to someone who has given you permission.
By Chassis or Engine Number
Public portals rarely let you search by chassis number. Still, these two numbers matter more than anything else on a result. Criminals can swap a number plate in minutes, but changing a stamped chassis number leaves marks.
So, whenever you see a result, compare its chassis and engine numbers with the ones stamped on the vehicle itself. For a formal chassis-based search, visit your district excise office with the documents.
By SMS in Punjab
In Punjab, you can text the registration number to 8785 and get basic vehicle details by reply. This comes in handy, for example, at a car market where mobile data is weak. Your operator may charge for the message, and the reply usually shows fewer fields than the full MTMIS Punjab portal.
What an MTMIS Pakistan Result Tells You
MTMIS results in Pakistan differ slightly between provinces, and some regions hide owner details for privacy. So, here is what the main fields mean and why each one deserves a second look.
| Field | What it shows | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Owner name | The legal owner on record | It should match the seller's CNIC; otherwise, ask for the full transfer trail |
| Registration date | When the vehicle first entered the record | It reveals the real age, which affects the fair price |
| Make, model and year | Manufacturer, variant and model year | It exposes "upgraded" variants and model-year fraud |
| Chassis number | The unique frame number | It is the strongest proof of identity and must match the metal stamp |
| Engine number | The unique engine identifier | A mismatch can point to an engine swap that was never recorded |
| Colour | The registered body colour | A repaint needs an update in the record |
| Engine capacity (cc) | Engine size | It decides your token tax slab |
| Token tax paid up to | The last tax period cleared | Arrears can follow the vehicle to you |
| Application status | Pending transfers or duplicate requests (Punjab) | A pending request may mean someone else already has a claim |
Why Online Vehicle Verification Matters Before You Buy
Most bad deals in the used-vehicle market share one of a handful of problems. Fortunately, an MTMIS Pakistan check exposes several of them before you even meet the seller.
Stolen or Snatched Vehicles
Snatched cars often resurface with fake plates or forged papers. A registration check shows whether the plate actually belongs to that make, model and colour. On the other hand, it does not show theft reports. So, confirm the stolen status with the police as well, for instance through CPLC in Karachi or your district police desk.
Open Transfer Letters
Many sellers still hand over an "open letter", a signed transfer form with the buyer's name left blank. However, that shortcut keeps the old owner on record. As a result, challans, tax arrears or even crimes linked to the car can trace back to the wrong person. Therefore, always complete the transfer in your own name.
Cloned Number Plates
Fraudsters sometimes copy the plate of a genuine car that looks identical. In that case, the portal shows a perfectly clean record. That is why the chassis and engine numbers, rather than the plate, are your real test.
Hidden Tax Arrears and Bank Leases
Unpaid token tax often lands on the buyer after the sale. Similarly, a leased vehicle carries the bank's interest in its registration, and the excise office will not complete the transfer without the bank's clearance letter.
Token Tax, Registration and Transfer Fees Explained
Each province sets its own motor vehicle tax rates in its annual budget. Consequently, the same car can cost different amounts to register in Lahore and in Karachi. For most private cars, token tax depends on engine capacity, and some provinces also factor in the vehicle's value or age.
Paying Token Tax Online
In Punjab, you can generate a payment slip (PSID) on ePay Punjab or its mobile app and then pay through almost any banking app. Other regions increasingly offer online payment too, so check the official portal listed in the directory above.
Registration and Transfer Fees
Transfer and registration fees also vary by engine capacity and region. Because the rates change almost every budget year, we keep a separate vehicle tax calculator up to date. That way, you never rely on old figures copied from a page like this one. For the final word on rates, check the Punjab Excise and Taxation website or your own province's department.
MTMIS Pakistan Transfer Checklist: Documents You Need
Once your MTMIS Pakistan check comes back clean, the actual transfer happens at the excise office or an authorised facilitation centre. Requirements vary a little between regions, but most offices ask for the following:
- The original registration book or smart card
- Original CNICs of the buyer and seller, plus photocopies
- The transfer form, signed by both parties
- Token tax receipts that show no arrears
- A bank clearance letter if the vehicle is on a bank lease
- An NOC from the original province when you move a registration across provinces
- Biometric verification of the buyer and seller, where your province requires it
Finally, one small habit pays off here. Check the record again on the morning of the transfer; it takes two minutes and confirms that nothing has changed since your first look.
Smart Card and Application Tracking
Punjab and Islamabad now issue smart registration cards in place of the old paper book. While you wait for yours, the MTMIS Punjab portal shows application tracking details, including the application type, the date you paid the challan and the current status.
Meanwhile, keep your address up to date with the department, since cards go to the address on record. If the status stalls for several weeks, call the department helpline (1035 in Punjab) and keep your application number ready.
E-Challans Need a Separate Check
Traffic fines from Safe City cameras sit in a different system from excise records. So, a clean registration result does not guarantee that the car has no pending e-challans.
In Punjab, check fines on the PSCA e-challan portal. In Karachi, however, traffic police issue e-tickets through their own system. Ask the seller to clear any fines before the transfer, because unpaid challans can hold up the paperwork later.
Common MTMIS Pakistan Errors and How to Fix Them
Even the best MTMIS portals in Pakistan misbehave now and then. The table below covers the problems readers report most often, along with a practical fix for each.
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Record not found" | Wrong format, wrong province or a very recent registration | Re-enter the number in the portal's format, try the province on the plate, or wait a few days |
| Portal will not load | Heavy traffic or maintenance | Try again early in the morning or late at night; in Punjab, use SMS 8785 |
| Owner name differs from the seller | Open letter or an unfinished transfer | Ask for the complete transfer trail and do not pay until it checks out |
| Chassis or engine number mismatch | Engine swap, tampering or a cloned plate | Stop the deal and report it to the excise office and police |
| A vehicle you do not own shows on your CNIC | An old sale that was never transferred, or identity misuse | Visit the excise office with your CNIC and proof of sale |
| Token tax shows arrears | The seller never paid | Ask the seller to clear the dues first, or adjust the price |
Before You Hand Over the Money
A clean online record is a strong start, but it is not the whole story. Before you pay, run through this short checklist:
- Inspect the chassis and engine stamps in good light, and look for scratches, welding marks or fresh paint around them.
- Ask for the complete file, including the original purchase invoice and any earlier transfer letters.
- Check for pending e-challans in the vehicle's home province.
- Get an independent mechanical inspection, especially for cars older than five years.
- Pay through a bank transfer or pay order rather than cash, so there is a clear record.
- Complete the biometric transfer before, or at the same time as, the final payment.
Why Start with MTMIS Pakistan?
We built MTMIS Pakistan for one reason: vehicle checks should not feel like a maze. In short, here is what you can expect from us.
- All seven regions in one place, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which most guides skip.
- Official links only. We send you to government portals and never charge for a verification.
- Plain-language explanations of every field, error and fee, written for buyers rather than officials.
- Regular reviews. We recheck portal links and procedures whenever a department changes its process.
MTMIS Pakistan is an independent information website. You can read more about who we are on our About Us page. Also, our Contact Us page is the fastest way to report an outdated link or ask a question.
Frequently Asked Questions About MTMIS Pakistan
What does MTMIS stand for?
MTMIS stands for Motor Transport Management Information System. It is the digital vehicle registration record kept by provincial Excise and Taxation departments. People across Pakistan use the term for any online vehicle registration check, even in regions where the official system carries a different name.
Is online vehicle verification free in Pakistan?
Yes. Every official provincial portal lets you verify a vehicle free of charge, and MTMIS Pakistan never charges for its guides either. The only possible cost is the SMS charge from your mobile operator if you use Punjab's 8785 service. Be careful with third-party apps that ask for payment, because the official data is free.
Can I verify a vehicle registered in another province?
Yes, you can. Simply use the portal of the province that registered the vehicle, not the one where you live. For example, a buyer in Lahore who is checking a Karachi-registered car should use the Excise Sindh website.
How can I check which vehicles are registered on my CNIC?
In Sindh, the official vehicle search by CNIC lists every vehicle recorded against your CNIC number. In other regions, visit the local excise office with your original CNIC instead. Running this check once a year helps you spot old sales that were never transferred out of your name.
Can I check a motorcycle on MTMIS Pakistan?
Yes. Motorcycles sit in the same provincial records as cars, so the process is almost identical. On some portals, such as Excise Sindh, you first select "two-wheeler" and then enter the registration number. The result shows the same core fields, including the chassis number, engine number and token tax status.
Does a clean MTMIS result mean the car is not stolen?
Not necessarily. Excise records confirm registration and ownership details, but they do not always reflect police theft reports. For full peace of mind, also check the vehicle's stolen status with the police, for example through CPLC in Karachi or your district police verification desk.
How do I know if the token tax is paid?
Look for the "token tax paid up to" field in the verification result. It shows the last period the owner cleared. If the date has passed, the vehicle has arrears, and you should ask the seller to clear them before you sign the transfer papers.
Can I see the owner's address or phone number?
No. Official portals show limited owner information, such as the name and sometimes the city, to protect privacy. Still, that is enough to confirm that the seller is the legal owner. Ask the seller for their original CNIC and compare the name directly.
Is MTMIS Pakistan a government website?
No. MTMIS Pakistan is an independent guide that helps you reach the right official portal and understand the results. All verifications happen on government websites run by the provincial Excise and Taxation departments and, in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the Inland Revenue Department.
Verify First, Then Buy
For most families in Pakistan, a vehicle is one of the biggest purchases they make. Yet a two-minute MTMIS check protects every rupee of it. With MTMIS Pakistan, you can find the right official portal, read the result with confidence and spot the warning signs that sellers hope you will miss.
So, pick your province above, run the check, and buy with your eyes open. If something on this page is unclear or out of date, our team is one message away on the Contact Us page.
Disclaimer: MTMIS Pakistan is an independent information website and is not affiliated with any provincial Excise and Taxation department, the Inland Revenue Department of AJ&K, or any other government body. All information is for general guidance only. Always confirm vehicle records, fees and procedures with the relevant official department before you buy or transfer a vehicle.
Last reviewed: September 2026