Pakistani citizens used to dedicate time from work and even travel to the Excise and Taxation office as well as stand in line to get the car’s biometric verification completed. That is now changing. Pak ID has released its mobile application so that buyers and sellers can finalize biometric verification giving their mobile phones without having to visit any government office to complete verification.
This guide describes how it works, who it applies to and what each party should do.
What Is Vehicle Biometric Verification in the NADRA Pak-ID App?
The Pak-ID app is the official digital ID platform of NADRA, built in partnership by the Punjab Information Technology Board (ITB) and Provincial Excise Departments in Pakistan. The biometric verification system for vehicle transfer was formally launched on 16th February 2026 in KPK by the Excise and Taxation Department, Punjab. From then on, the service extended towards registered vehicles of Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad also.
It is an app for both android and iOS devices. Facial recognition and fingerprint verification are used to ensure the vehicle’s owners are authentic sellers and buyers for the vehicle transfer transaction.
Where Is the Pak-ID Vehicle Transfer Service Available?
Currently, the Pak-ID biometric vehicle verification service is applicable to vehicles registered in:
- Punjab: available since February 16, 2026
- Sindh: available since January 2026
- Balochistan: Pakistan ID version 5.6.8, 25-Jul-2026
- Islamabad: confirmed using Islamabad Excise police procedures
You cannot yet confirm that vehicles registered in KP, AJK & GB are eligible for Pak-ID vehicle transfer service. It is important that buyers and sellers verify the current process with their local Excise Department prior to moving forward in these areas.
What You Need Before Starting
Make sure you verify the following before opening the app:
- A valid CNIC, NICOP (for overseas Pakistanis) or Pakistan Original Card.
- For OTP verification, the number on the SIM card must be registered on your CNIC.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- A NADRA Biometric Record has to be present in the system for Identity Matching.
- The vehicle should be listed on the seller Pak Id account under his CNIC number.
Pak ID app is of high importance for the citizens of Pakistan who live abroad. Previously, to be able to sell a vehicle registered in Pakistan, you’ll need to retain the verified copies of the affidavit, visit a Pakistan Embassy, or grant power of attorney. The app removes all of these for the biometric verification step.
Steps for Sellers Using the Pak-ID App
Step 1: Login Pak Id App with Your CNIC and Registered Mobile Number.
Step 2: Go to the Digital Cards and click on Vehicle option. All the vehicles registered in your CNIC will be displayed.
Step 3: Choose the car you want to sell and then press Transfer Now.
Step 4: Tap the “Verify Applicant Facial” option to complete facial verification. Choose from front or rear camera. Stand in the circle in the on-screen display with a neutral white background in a well-lit room. Hold the phone steady and remain still. When a photo is successfully taken the border will turn green.
Step 5: The user is asked to enter the information of the buyer as per the following table: Please review all information thoroughly before submitting.
Step 6: Make the transfer request. When completed, the digital record will be shared with NADRA and the Excise database.
Steps for Buyers Using the Pak-ID App
Step 1: Log into Pak-ID app using your CNIC and registered number.
Step 2: Go to the vehicle transfer/biometric verification area. It may be slightly different in your app version.
Step 3: Enter the vehicle registration number and the transaction ID they receive in the first step above, usually saved in an ePay Punjab app or digital banking system.
Step 4: Take the facial picture yourself with the same process as the seller. Simple background, proper lighting, face in the circle, stand still until the border turns green.
Step 5: Review and double check all information about vehicles and ownership before final submission.
How Does Fingerprint Biometric Verification Work?
Fingerprint scanning isn’t always possible. People with odd fingerprints such as older people, manual laborers or those with skin issues often do not have clear scans of their fingerprints. NADRA tackled the subject head on. Since 20/01/2026, citizens whose fingerprints cannot be successfully scanned will be able to obtain facial recognition certificates with biometric data. The facial recognition route is the official detour, if it is not possible to verify through fingerprint.
Does the Pak-ID App Replace an Excise Office Visit?
The Pak-ID app performs biometric verification in digital format, eliminating the need for visitors to the Excise office solely for identity verification. But it may be still necessary to visit the relevant Excise/ Taxation office to complete transfer of ownership of the document and payment of the related fees. The app does not solve the entire process, but removes one of the most time consuming and inconvenient parts of the process.
Its vehicle transfer processing fees are in addition to standard government processing fees. These can be paid out before doing the verification by app through ePay Punjab or other digital banking options.
Why Does This Service Matter for Used-Car Buyers?
This system gets rid of one of the most typical slippery patches in the car purchase procedure for anyone buying a second hand car in Pakistan. In the past, the unavailability of the seller, travelling, or old age, was a big problem when it came to the biometric step. Both parties can complete verification from different places with the Pak-ID app, making the process quicker.
Final Thoughts on Pak-ID Biometric Verification
Vehicle transfer biometric verification has been made much easier for buyers, sellers and overseas Pakistanis via the NADRA Pak-ID app. It is now accessible for vehicles registered in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad with a detailed and clear-cut procedure for both parties.
