Vahan 4.0 Explained (2026): Check Any Vehicle Details Online
Vahan 4.0 is the national vehicle registration database run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through the National Informatics Centre. Almost every registered vehicle in India sits in this single system, which is why it is the source of truth for RC, road tax, fitness and permit data.
This guide explains what Vahan 4.0 does, what you can and cannot look up, and how to check a vehicle by its registration number.
What is Vahan 4.0?
Vahan 4.0 is the latest version of the centralised Vahan platform that RTOs across India use to register vehicles and manage their whole lifecycle: new registration, transfer of ownership, road tax, fitness, permits and de-registration.
Because it is one national database, the same record can be reached by RTOs, enforcement agencies, dealers and, for basic details, the public.
What can you check on Vahan?
Owner name and address are personal data and are not shown in the public lookup. Only the vehicle owner and authorised users such as RTOs and police can see them.
- Basic vehicle details: make, model, registration date, fuel type and the registering RTO.
- RC status, road-tax validity, and fitness or insurance expiry where published.
- For owners and authorised users, the full record including owner details.
How to check a vehicle on Vahan
1. Go to the official portal at vahan.parivahan.gov.in and open Know Your Vehicle Details.
2. Sign in with your mobile number, then enter the registration number and the captcha.
3. The basic details of the vehicle are displayed.
To simply decode what a plate means, without any login, you can also use the free MoboSafe number-plate decoder.
Vahan vs mParivahan
Vahan 4.0 is the web platform used mainly by RTOs, dealers and enforcement. mParivahan is the citizen mobile app built on the same data, where you can store a digital RC and licence and check basic vehicle details on your phone.
For most vehicle owners the mParivahan app is the easier day-to-day tool; Vahan is the underlying system of record.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vahan 4.0 free to use?
Yes. Checking basic vehicle details on the official Vahan portal is free. Government service fees only apply to transactions such as registration, transfer of ownership or tax payment.
Can I find the owner name on Vahan?
No. Owner name and address are private and are not shown in the public lookup. They are only available to the vehicle owner and to authorised users such as RTOs and police.
What is the difference between Vahan and mParivahan?
Vahan 4.0 is the web platform used mainly by RTOs and dealers. mParivahan is the official citizen mobile app built on the same data, where you can carry a digital RC and licence and check vehicle details.
How do I decode a number plate without logging in?
Use a plate decoder such as the free MoboSafe RC Check tool, which breaks a registration number down into its state, RTO region and series without any login.