Motorcycle Registration and Documents in Bangladesh — and What to Do If You Lose Them

Your motorcycle's papers are what make it legally yours and legally usable on the road. They are also the first thing a serious buyer asks for when you sell. This guide explains the documents every bike should have, how registration of a new motorcycle usually works, and what to do if something is lost or stolen.

BRTA procedures, required documents and fees are updated from time to time. Treat this as an overview and confirm the details with BRTA before you apply for anything.

The documents your motorcycle needs

• Registration certificate — proves the motorcycle is registered and shows the registered owner, registration number, and chassis and engine numbers. It is now issued as a digital registration certificate (smart card).
• Tax token — shows that road tax has been paid for the period covered. Check its validity date.
• Insurance certificate — the policy you hold for the bike.
• Number plate — the official retro-reflective plate issued through BRTA, which also carries a security feature. Unofficial or modified plates can lead to a fine.
• Your driving licence — valid for the motorcycle class. See our licence guide.

Carry the documents (or accepted digital versions) whenever you ride, and keep photocopies and phone photos at home.

Registering a new motorcycle

When you buy a new bike from an authorised showroom, the showroom usually handles registration for you as part of the purchase, or offers it as a paid service. The process generally involves:

1. Purchase documents — the sale invoice and the delivery documents from the manufacturer, assembler or importer (including customs documents for an imported unit).
2. Owner documents — your NID, photographs and any other documents BRTA currently requires.
3. Payment of registration fees and the applicable taxes through official channels.
4. Inspection of the motorcycle's chassis and engine numbers against the documents.
5. Issue of the registration number, the registration certificate, and fitting of the number plate.

Before you pay the showroom

• Ask for a written breakdown of what the "registration cost" covers and which parts are official BRTA fees.
• Check that the chassis and engine numbers on the invoice match the motorcycle you are taking.
• Make sure the registration will be in your name, exactly as written on your NID.
• Ask how long registration will take and what document you can carry in the meantime.

Keeping the documents valid

• Renew the tax token before it expires; late payment attracts penalties.
• Update the registration after an ownership change — the BRTA ownership transfer must be completed by buyer and seller. See our guide to selling your motorcycle.
• Record modifications if they change what the registration describes, such as colour. Check with BRTA whether a change needs approval.

What to do if documents are lost

Losing papers is stressful but fixable. Act promptly — a lost registration certificate or plate can be misused.

1. File a General Diary (GD)

Go to the police station covering the area where the documents were lost and file a GD describing what was lost, when and where. Keep the GD copy — every replacement application needs it. Many police stations also accept GDs online.

2. Apply to BRTA for a duplicate

Apply to the BRTA circle where the motorcycle is registered for a duplicate registration certificate, tax token or number plate, as needed. You will typically need the GD copy, your NID, photocopies of any surviving documents and the fee for the duplicate.

3. If the motorcycle itself is stolen

File a case with the police immediately, not only a GD, and inform your insurer right away if you have theft cover. Give the police the chassis and engine numbers — this is why you should keep copies of your registration certificate somewhere other than on the bike.

Buying used? Check these first

• The seller's name matches the registration certificate.
• Chassis and engine numbers on the bike match the certificate, without signs of tampering.
• The tax token is current.
• Any bank or company lien has been cleared.

Our used motorcycle inspection checklist covers the rest.