If you lost your vehicle registration book, or it was stolen, torn or burnt, you can ask the Excise and Taxation office for a duplicate. The steps, papers and fees depend on where your vehicle is registered. Below are the steps I found for Punjab and Islamabad, what the sources say about fees and what they do not confirm.
Step 1: Report the Loss to the Police
For a lost or stolen book, you need a police report. Both the Punjab and Islamabad guides say so. Islamabad’s Excise FAQ asks for a copy of the FIR. Pakistan Era’s Islamabad guide says to use an FIR if the card was stolen, and a police report if it was lost. Write down the report number and date, and keep your CNIC number, vehicle number, make and model ready.
If the whole vehicle was stolen, report the theft and get an FIR first. A duplicate book is for an owner who still has the vehicle.
Duplicate Book in Punjab
Pakistan Era (17 October 2026) lists the Punjab requirements from the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department’s motor vehicle registration page. The writer did not apply for a duplicate, so these steps follow the department’s list.
Documents
- A police report, for a lost or stolen book.
- A copy of your CNIC.
- The damaged or torn book, if you still have it.
- An up-to-date token tax certificate, for most vehicles except motorcycles in the “non-tie-up” category. The guide does not explain that term, so ask the office whether it applies to you.
- The original registration file, for vehicles under the File Return Scheme.
Steps
- Get the police report.
- Photocopy your CNIC and gather the other papers.
- Pay any token tax that is due, and keep the certificate.
- Apply at your district excise office and pay the fee.
- Collect the duplicate when the office says it is ready.
- Check the engine number, chassis number, owner name and token tax record on the new book.
Fee
Rs1,300 for motorcycles, cars, heavy vehicles, rickshaws and other types, as reported by Pakistan Era from the department’s rate list. The page shows no revision date, so confirm the fee at the office and keep the receipt.
Pakistan Era gives the department’s phone numbers as +92-42-9920 3848 and +92-42-9920 3849.
Duplicate Book in Islamabad
The Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department’s FAQ (islamabadexcise.gov.pk) and Pakistan Era’s guide (28 October 2026) differ, so both are shown.
What the Official FAQ Says
For a lost or stolen book, the FAQ lists:
- An application addressed to the Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO).
- Form “F”.
- A copy of the FIR from the police station.
- A notice of the loss or theft in a daily newspaper.
- A photocopy of the original registration book, if you have it.
- An updated token certificate.
The fee, paid by challan at authorised banks, is Rs500 for a private or government vehicle and Rs1,000 for a commercial vehicle. For a torn or burnt book, the FAQ asks for the application, Form “F”, the damaged book and the token certificate, at the same fees. The FAQ is undated and does not mention smart cards.
What Pakistan Era Says
Pakistan Era says it checked the department’s site on 27 October 2026. It lists these fees by engine size:
| Engine | Duplicate fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1000cc | Rs1,000 |
| 1001cc to 2000cc | Rs2,000 |
| 2001cc and above | Rs3,000 |
It lists a separate smart card fee of Rs2,400 and says it is unclear whether this is added to the duplicate fee. It also lists these papers: a biometric receipt in the owner’s name, an FIR or police report, an affidavit on stamp paper, a copy of the owner’s CNIC, a newspaper cutting of the loss notice, a paid challan and a physical inspection of the vehicle.
Its steps are: report to the police, publish a loss notice in a newspaper, prepare the affidavit, get the biometric receipt, take the vehicle and papers to the Excise office in Sector H-9 for inspection, then pay the challan and collect the card. Office hours are 8:30 am to 3:15 pm, Monday to Friday, with a Friday break from 12:30 to 2 pm. The helpline is 051-111-383-383. The guide says to call first to confirm that duplicates are handled there.
Only the registered owner can apply. If the vehicle is still in a previous owner’s name, you need the transfer done first.
Other Provinces
I did not find steps for Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan. A general guide on roadsign.pk says steps vary by province. It lists the same four steps for all: visit your Excise and Taxation office, submit the application, pay the fee and any dues, and collect the duplicate. It gives no fee and no date, and it is not an official source. Azad Kashmir has a published application form, Form K, for duplicate number plates and registration book, but I did not open it.
If Your Book Is Torn or Burnt
Islamabad’s FAQ says to bring the damaged book with your application, and no FIR is listed for this case. Punjab’s guide says to attach the damaged book if you still have it.
Check the New Book
When you collect it, check your name, engine number, chassis number, make and model against your old papers. If there is an error, point it out at the counter before you leave. This step is general advice.
Beware of Agents and Fixers
- Pay only by official challan or at the counter, and keep the receipt.
- Do not hand your CNIC, OTP or original papers to a stranger who promises quick work.
- Do not trust unofficial websites that charge for “online duplicate” services.
What I Could Not Confirm
- The Islamabad fee. The official FAQ says Rs500 or Rs1,000, and Pakistan Era says Rs1,000 to Rs3,000 plus a possible smart card fee. The FAQ is undated, so the right amount is not clear.
- How long a duplicate takes, in Punjab or Islamabad.
- Whether Punjab accepts online applications for duplicates.
- Whether a smart card replaces the paper book in Punjab.
- Steps and fees for Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
- Whether you may drive while waiting for the duplicate.
I could not open the Excise department pages for Punjab. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need first if my registration book is lost?
A police report, or an FIR if it was stolen, according to the Punjab and Islamabad sources.
How much is a duplicate book in Punjab?
Rs1,300, according to Pakistan Era. Confirm it at the office.
How much is it in Islamabad?
The sources differ. The official FAQ says Rs500 for private vehicles and Rs1,000 for commercial vehicles. Pakistan Era says Rs1,000 to Rs3,000 by engine size.
Do I need a newspaper notice?
Islamabad’s sources list a newspaper loss notice. The Punjab guide I read does not.
Can anyone apply for the duplicate?
Only the registered owner, according to Pakistan Era’s Islamabad guide.
How long does it take?
Not stated in the sources. Ask your Excise office.
Get the police report first, then ask your Excise office for the current fee and papers before you apply.
