Govt Mandates Mobile Number Update for Vehicles

By Jony Shekhawat | Published Date : September 08, 2025

All vehicle owners, including truck and bus operators, must update their mobile numbers on the Vahan portal to receive timely alerts about documents, challans, and renewals.

Got a vehicle in your name? Be it a small hatchback, a pickup that runs local errands, or a heavy-duty truck that travels across states, there’s a new rule you should be aware of. The government has rolled out a mandate requiring all vehicle owners to update their mobile numbers on the Vahan portal.

This step has been introduced to make communication between the transport department and citizens smoother. Whether it’s a reminder about expiring insurance, a challan you weren’t aware of, or an upcoming renewal — all such alerts will now reach you directly, provided your contact details are up to date.

Why was this step needed?

Table Of Contents

1. Why was this step needed?

2. How to Update Your Mobile Number?

3. Applies to All Types of Vehicles

4. Benefits of Updating Your Number

5. What If You Don’t Update?

6. Last Date To Update

Over the years, many vehicles — especially older ones like buses or trucks registered before 2010 — either don’t have a mobile number linked to their registration or still carry outdated contact information. It’s something most people forget about after buying the vehicle — until it becomes a problem.

That missed insurance reminder? That unexpected challan? More often than not, it’s simply because the transport department had no way to reach the owner on time.

As a result, owners often miss out on important alerts such as:

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate expiry
• Insurance renewal notices
• Challan (fine) notifications
• Road tax and permit updates (especially for commercial vehicles)

With your mobile number properly linked, you’ll get timely updates and can keep your vehicles, whether it's a single Tata pickup or a row of Eicher trucks, running without disruption.

How to Update Your Mobile Number?

This is a very simple process to update your number on Govt. portals by following these steps:
⇒ Visit vahan.parivahan.gov.in
⇒ Go to the “Update Mobile Number” section
⇒ Enter your vehicle registration number
⇒ Verify your identity using OTP
⇒ Enter your new mobile number and submit
Once completed, a confirmation SMS will be sent to your updated number.

Applies to All Types of Vehicles

This rule is not just for private car owners. It includes:

• Commercial trucks and buses
• Mini trucks and pickups
• Fleets of Tata, Eicher, Ashok Leyland, and BharatBenz vehicles
• Private cars and two-wheelers

Benefits of Updating Your Number

By linking a valid mobile number, vehicle owners will:

• Receive document expiry reminders
• Be notified instantly about challans or traffic violations
• Access digital copies of RC, PUC, and insurance papers
• Track service requests on the Vahan portal
• Avoid surprise penalties or missed deadlines

What If You Don’t Update?

While there's no immediate penalty, the risks are high:

• You may not receive important government notifications
• Online services like re-registration, fitness renewal, and ownership transfer may face delays
• In the future, services like FASTag, toll payments, and even fuel purchases may be linked to updated contact details

Some RTO officials have hinted that mobile number linking could become a requirement for future services like permit renewals for inter-state Volvo buses or fitness certificates for heavy trucks.

Last Date To Update

Although there is no strict deadline yet, vehicle owners are being strongly advised to update their numbers as soon as possible. The process is free, and there is no paperwork involved. If you face any technical issue, you can:

1. Visit your nearest RTO
2. Call the Vahan support helpline at 0120-2459169
3. Seek help via the official Parivahan Sewa website

Also Read: 8000 Electric Buses to Hit Delhi Roads by 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions on Trucks and Commercial Vehicles

Q1. Is this rule applicable to trucks and commercial vehicles, too?

Ans. Yes, the rule applies to all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, pickups, and other commercial vehicles. All owners must update their mobile numbers on the Vahan portal.

Q2. What if my truck was registered before 2010?

Ans. Trucks registered before 2010 often don't have a mobile number linked in the system. You still need to update your contact details to ensure you receive important alerts and reminders.

Q3. Can I update the number online for multiple trucks in my fleet?

Ans. Yes, you can update mobile numbers for each truck individually through the Vahan portal. Just enter each vehicle’s registration number and follow the OTP verification process.

Q4. Will I get permit or road tax reminders on my phone?

Ans. Absolutely. Once your number is updated, you'll receive SMS alerts related to road tax, permits, fitness certificates, and other important deadlines directly on your phone.

Q5. What happens if I don’t update the mobile number?

Ans. If you don’t update your number, you might miss crucial notifications, including challans, expiry reminders, and renewal alerts — which can lead to fines or delays in services.

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