To begin with, RTO is a government organization in India. Further, RTO is also a part of Indian government. It is responsible for registration of vehicles and licensing. Most of the states in India have multiple RTO offices. These offices effective and efficiently carry out transport services. Lastly, RTO full form is regional transport office.
Read through the article to learn more about functions and responsibilities of RTO in India.
Regional Transport Office (RTO)
Administration in India is carried out through various departments. One such department is motor vehicles department established under MVA, 1988. Further, motor vehicle Act 1988 is applicable throughout the country. As per the act, RTO offices were established in all states. These RTO offices are responsible for the functions and activities listed in the act.
Furthermore, full form of RTO is regional transport office. Lastly, motor vehicle department is headed by transport commissioner.
RTO Codes for the Different States of India
Each RTO office established in a state and district are given codes. These codes play a vital role in RTO vehicle information. In other words, with an RTO code it is easy to determine the location of vehicle registration. Indian consists of twenty eight states and each of these states includes a RTO office.
A complete list of RTO codes for different states in India is as follows:
RTO Codes for Union Territories
Indian consists of states and Union territories. Similar to states, all union territories in India include RTO offices. There are eight union territories in India and each of these territories has RTO offices. These codes help in getting RTO information such as vehicle registration details.
A detailed list of RTO codes for various union territories is as follow:
| Name of the Union Territory | Code of RTO |
|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | AN |
| Chandigarh | CH |
| Daman and Diu | DD |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | DN |
| Lakshadweep | LD |
| National Capital Territory of Delhi | DL |
| Puducherry | PY |
| Leh-Ladakh | LA |
RTO Codes for Top Cities in India
How to Check Your Vehicle Registration Details Online?
In the first place, registering vehicles is mandatory in India. All registered vehicle is issued a registration certificate by the RTO office. The RTO registration number consists of all essential vehicle details. It also includes the vehicle registration number. The vehicle registration number is important as it identifies the vehicle. Usually, for claiming insurance or in a hit-and-run case, the registration number of a vehicle is important.
Furthermore, technology has made it possible to check registration details online. Visit the Vahan RTO website to get RTO vehicle information online.
After visiting the official RTO website (Vahan), enter the registration number of the vehicle. Complete the steps as mentioned to note RTO vehicle details.
Functions of the Regional Transport Office (R.T.O)
- The main function of RTO is to enforce the rules and regulation laid out in MVA, 1988. As mentioned before, RTO offices are established under the motor vehicle act. The government of India passes rules and regulation relating to transport through MVA. Hence, it is the responsibility of an RTO to make sure these rules are followed in the state.
- Issue of vehicle permit to all commercial vehicles running in the state. The RTO has the authority to issue a vehicle permit. RTO vehicle permit is the permission given by the government to run between the states. Further, the Issue of vehicle permit helps RTO to develop and coordinate transport in the state.
- The last and most important function of RTO is collecting taxes. As per the motor vehicle act, the vehicles running in India must pay road tax. These taxes are collected by the respective RTO established in the state.
Activities performed by RTO
RTO offices in the state perform multiple activities every day. It is because RTO offices are solely responsible for the management of the transport system in the state. The top ten activities of RTO are as follows:
- Registration of vehicles and issue of RC
- Issue of license to eligible candidates for private and freight transit
- Conducting and evaluating driving test and issue of driving license. Further, the RTO learning license test questions sample is available online. RTO also issue international driving permits to eligible candidates.
- Collecting and maintaining the vehicle details that are registered
- Conducting inspection and carrying out vehicle transfer activities
- Inspecting and checking the validity of vehicle insurance
- Further, an inspection of the vehicle to check if they meet the standards prescribed under the act
- RTO also conducts a mechanical inspection of accident vehicles
- Issue of fitness certificate for vehicles
- Lastly, issue of badges to people driving public service vehicles
Vehicle Registration at Regional Transport Office
Motor vehicle act, 1988 clearly states that driving a vehicle in India without registration is prohibited. Hence, it is clear from the act that registration of a vehicle is mandatory in India. A vehicle owner must visit the nearest RTO and gets his vehicle registered before using it.
Furthermore, there are two types of vehicle registration available in India. They are permanent and temporary registration. However, the validity of temporary registration is only one month. Hence, all vehicles running in India must be permanently registered.
After submitting the application form for registration, RTO application status can be checked online.
What is Vehicle Registration Process?
The registration process of a vehicle in India is straightforward. Further, the procedure for vehicle registration is the same in all states.To register a vehicle, an individual must visit the RTO office. Later on, he must submit a filled and signed application form for the registration. At the time of submission, the form must be attached with the necessary documents. On receiving the application form and documents, the RTO inspects the vehicle. Finally, a registration number along with a certificate is issued for vehicles that are successfully registered.
Lastly, RTO vehicle owner details can be found with the help of the vehicle registration number.
Re-Registration of a Motor Vehicle in New State
A vehicle owner can move to a different state for several reasons. In such a situation re-registering of a motor vehicle in a new state is mandatory. But it is mandatory only if the vehicle owner stays for more than one year.
Also, when re-registering the vehicle, a person must pay road tax in the new state. The tax to be paid at the new state is calculated on the deprecation value of the vehicle. However, he can get reimbursement for the tax paid from the previous state.
Steps involved in re-registration are as follow:
- Obtaining a NOC from the traffic department.
- Next, visit the nearest RTO with relevant NOC to file an application form
- Fill the application form, sign the same and submit it along with all necessary documents
- Inspection of documents by the new RTO along with the vehicle to be re-registered.
- On successful inspection, payment of Road tax at the new state to re-register the vehicle.
Visit the official RTO website of a state to get complete details and documents for re-registering of vehicles.
Transfer of Vehicle Ownership at Regional Transport Office
There are two types of transfer of vehicle ownership at RTO.
- Vehicle ownership transfer within the state
- Vehicle ownership transfer from one state to another
The procedure for transfer of vehicle ownership in both cases is similar. However, they differ in obtaining NOC and payment of road tax.
In the case of vehicle ownership transfer from one state to another, a person must obtain a NOC. The NOC is obtained from the traffic department. It is also obtained from the financer in case of a vehicle purchased under a loan. Further, there is no need to pay road tax again in case of transfer within the state.
Also, the documents required for the transfer of vehicle ownership is as follow:
- The original RC of the vehicle
- A valid insurance copy for the vehicle
- Application FORM for ownership transfer of vehicle is 29, 30, 31 and 32. The type of FORM depends on the type of vehicle ownership transfer
- Address and identity proof for new vehicle owner
- PUC certificate for the vehicle
- Passport size photography for the new vehicle owner
- Proof of tax paid along with application fee
- Lastly, PAN Card or FORM 60/61 of the vehicle owner for four-wheeler vehicles.
Key Responsibilities of RTO
RTO or regional transport office has several responsibilities to fulfil successfully. Some of the important responsibilities of RTO are as follow:
- RTO Exam – conducting of driving exam for eligible candidates and issuing of licensing.
- Inspection – RTO also inspects vehicle for its fitness and for complying with the rules of motor vehicle act, 1988
- Issuing of registration number for registered vehicle
- Checking the registered vehicles and issue of fitness certificate when requested by the vehicle owner
- Making sure that vehicle met the environment standards. It is the responsibility of the RTO to conduct activities relating to CNG and LPG
- Lastly, RTO must ensure that all measures are in place for road safety
What is Temporary RTO Registration?
Temporary registration is the process of issuing an identification number to the vehicle by the RTO. TR or temporary registration number is issued when the vehicles are not permanently registered. Further, a TR is only valid for one month. It means the vehicle has to be registered permanently to get an RC as per RTO details and rules.
What is the Role of the Regional RTO?
The main role of regional RTO is maintaining a database of vehicles in a particular state. Further, the RTO role also includes collecting and registering the details of the vehicle owner. The importance of the vehicle database maintained by the RTO cannot be stressed enough. With the help of a database, an RTO number check can be conducted to get vehicle owner details.
What are the Different Types of RTO Forms?
RTO offices have the responsibility of registering vehicles and issuing license. But an RTO conducts these activities only on submission of RTO forms. There are several types of RTO forms. The main RTO forms that are widely used are application forms for various services.
RTO form 29 is one such form that is widely used all over the country. The form is used for the transfer of vehicle ownership. Apart from these form, other forms used at RTO are Form 20, 21, 22, 31, 32 etc.
How to Get a Personalized Vehicle Number?
A personalized vehicle number or the fancy number for a vehicle can be obtained in India. There are multiple ways to obtain a personalized vehicle number. But registering on the official website of the Ministry of road transport is necessary.
After successfully registering on the website, you can either choose from a list of available personalized number. Or get a personalized number through auction. Usually, in the case of the auction, the successful bidder will be intimated within three days.
What are the Different Types of RTO Forms and their Use?
The different types of RTO Forms and their uses are as follows:
- FORM 1 – application cum declaration of physical fitness for driving license
- FORM 1A – to submit the medical certificate when applying for a driving license
- FORM 2 – application form to apply for learning driving license
- FORM 4 – a form that is used to fill in all necessary personal details of the applicant for a driving license
- FORM 8 – In case you want to add a new class of vehicle for your existing driving license
- FORM 9 – application form for renewing your existing driving license
- FORM 20 – to register a new vehicle
- FORM 26 – request to issue a duplicate certificate (application)
- FORM 28 – for the grant of NOC to move the vehicle from one state to another
- FORM 29 RTO– it is required to apply for transfer of vehicle ownership
- FORM 30 – application form to be submitted to the RTO by the person selling the vehicle to update the change in vehicle ownership
- FORM 33 – for updating of new address in the RC
- FORM 34 – for vehicle purchased under the loan or hypothecation
- FORM 35 – for notifying the RTO about termination of hypothecation
- FORM 36 – application form for issue of registration certificate in the name of financer
- FORM 37 – last application form any person who doesn’t have a PAN card
What is the Regional Transport Office fee for the different processes?
Check out the below table to learn the different process fee for various services of RTO. In most cases, the application fee for all states remains the same.
| Type of Process | RTO fee in rupees |
| Vehicle registration for imported vehicle | 5000 |
| Registration for motorcycle that is imported | 2500 |
| Motorcycle registration for not imported vehicle | 300 |
| Vehicle registration for medium passenger vehicle | 1000 |
| Passenger vehicle (heavy) registration charges | 1500 |
| For getting a learner license application fee | 150 |
| Application fee for permanent driving license | 300 |
| Lastly, for the renewal of fitness certificate for vehicles | 200 |
How to Renew Registration Certificate?
For renewing a registration certificate, the vehicle owner must submit FORM 25. Further, the application form must be submitted to the RTO office in the area. In other words, an application form must be made to an RTO having jurisdiction to register it. Further, along with the application form, the vehicle owner must submit supporting documents.
The main documents to be submitted with the application form is the RC book, road tax payment proof, PUC, chassis and engine pencil print, insurance certificate, and signature identification of the vehicle owner.
How to Get a Duplicate Registration Certificate?
A vehicle owner willing to get a duplicate RC must submit FORM 26 to the RTO office. The main reason for obtaining duplicate RC is loss or damage to the original. However, before submitting the application form, pay off all pending payments. These pending payments can be that of tax, fees or other penalties.
After applying, visit the RTO office and submit all supporting documents. Further, the application form for duplicate RC can be found online. Parivahan RTO website contains the application form for various services.
Documents Required To Register Your Vehicle
The list of documents required for registering a vehicle in India is as follow:
- The application form for the registration is submitted through form 20. In addition to this form 21 and 22 issued by the vehicle dealer. These two forms establish the fitness and roadworthiness of the vehicle.
- Next, the vehicle owner must submit address proof, identity proof and passport size photo
- Later on, the applicant must submit documents relating to the vehicle like insurance copy, PUC and Clearance certificate.
- Finally, the applicant must pay the fee and road tax for registration
How to update Address on Registration Certificate?
Updating or change of address on the registration certificate can be done through an online and offline process. The application form for address change or update is FORM 33. This form can be found online on the official website or at the RTO office.
The applicant or vehicle owner must submit the application form along with certain documents. Smart card fee, NOC from financer, PAN card, chassis and engine pencil print, signature identification of the owner are significant documents to be submitted.
FAQs on RTO Offices in India
Q: What is the validity of a learner license?
Ans: A learner license is valid for six months
Q: Is my driving license valid throughout India?
Ans: Yes, all driving license issued by RTO office is valid throughout India
Q: What is the difference between RTO and DTO?
Ans: RTO is the regional transport office for the state. But a DTO stands for district transport office, for a district. The main difference between the two offices is the jurisdiction.
Q: When is a fresh registration number for a motor vehicle required?
Ans: Usually, re-registration of the fresh registration number is required only when a vehicle is migrated. Otherwise, a vehicle registration number is valid all over the country.
Q: What is the validity of a fitness certificate?
Ans: Every transport vehicle in India must possess a fitness certificate. The certificate is valid for the first two years when newly registered. Later on, it has to be registered every year after inspection by RTO.