What is RTO Form 38 and How It Helps You Buy a Used Commercial Vehicle?
Disclaimer: This article is for general information/education and is not investment advice. The information is shared in good faith and for general informational purposes only. Ujjivan SFB does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content.
August 21, 2026
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Vehicle fitness rules in India vary for private and commercial vehicles. A new private/non-transport vehicle is deemed to have a fitness certificate for 15 years, after which the renewed fitness certificate is valid for five years. A new commercial vehicle is assigned two years of fitness validity initially. After that, commercial vehicles need to undergo fitness tests every two years until the vehicle is 8 years old, and every year from there onwards to continue operating on the road.
RTO Form 38 records the fitness of a commercial vehicle. When buying a used commercial car, checking Form 38 becomes important both for verifying its fitness and when you plan to take a used car loan.
This blog explains what Form 38 tells you about a commercial car, how it matters when taking a used car loan, and what else you should check before buying a used commercial car.
What is RTO Form 38 for Commercial Cars?
RTO Form 38 is the Certificate of Fitness for a commercial vehicle. It certifies that the vehicle is fit to move on the road until the date mentioned in the certificate. After the certificate expires, the vehicle needs to undergo a fitness test again to get its fitness certificate renewed.
What Information Does Form 38 Contain?
When checking Form 38, look for:
The expiry date and renewal details become important when buying a used commercial car, as they help you check whether its fitness certificate is currently valid.
What is Checked During the Vehicle Fitness Inspection?
The Form 38 itself may not list all the tests carried out during the fitness inspection. Depending on the RTO or testing facility, a separate inspection report or supporting document may also be available with the vehicle's fitness records.
The Vehicle Fitness Inspection May Include Checks Such As:
The exact testing process can depend on the applicable rules and the testing facility or state implementation.
Note: Earlier, the inspection process used a separate Form 38A. The Central Motor Vehicles (Sixth Amendment) Rules, 2026 have now omitted Form 38A, leaving Form 38 as the Certificate of Fitness. However, Form 38 itself may not list all the checks carried out during the fitness inspection. A separate inspection report or supporting record may be available depending on the RTO or testing facility.
Related Reads
These blogs may be useful if you are buying a used car and also planning to finance it with a used car loan.
Why is Form 38 Important When Buying a Used Commercial Car?
Form 38 assures the legal fitness of a commercial vehicle for the period mentioned in the certificate. Along with checking its validity, you should also look at when the fitness certificate was issued and renewed.
Even if a vehicle has a valid fitness certificate, a lender may not finance a vehicle above a certain age. Some lenders may also restrict the loan tenure based on the maximum vehicle age they are willing to finance. For example, if a lender finances vehicles only up to five years of age and the vehicle you choose is already four years old, the available loan tenure may be limited to one year.
The inspection report should also not be treated as a final mechanical or fitness check before buying the vehicle. You should have the vehicle separately inspected by your own mechanic or an expert to understand its actual condition before applying for a used car loan.
How Can You Verify the Form 38 Provided by the Seller?
The fitness certificate (Form 38) and its validity dates can be checked through VAHAN or the mParivahan app using the vehicle's registration number or other details, depending on the state's portal or RTO. For the inspection report, you can ask the seller for a digital copy or another supporting document issued or authenticated by the RTO or authorised testing authority.
What Should You Check Along With Form 38?
Form 38 is important, but it should not be the only thing you check before buying a used commercial car.
Along With the Fitness Certificate, Check:
Final Thoughts
A valid fitness certificate can give you confidence about the vehicle's road-use status, but you also need to look at how the lender views it. If you plan to sell the car after a few years, what resale value can you expect? Is the loan amount worth the resale value you may get? Will the maintenance costs be manageable with your current income? These questions can help you decide whether the used commercial car is worth buying.
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