RTO Office

RTO office or the Regional Transport Office is a government body specifically established to oversee all transport-related operations in the country. RTOs are located throughout the country in each state and union territory. RTOs are responsible for enforcing the rules as laid down by the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988.

The department also maintains a database of all the vehicles operating in the country as well as issues licenses for drivers. Besides, the RTO office also collects road taxes, supervises pollution checks, and ensures the enforcement of all road transportation rules. If you own or drive a vehicle in India, you will need to visit the RTO to get your vehicle registered, obtain a driver’s license or renew your driver’s license, etc.

RTOs are also responsible for improving road and vehicle safety, especially to avoid accidents and other road fatalities.

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) plays a crucial role in managing vehicle and driver-related services across India. It ensures the smooth administration of transport operations while maintaining road safety and compliance with the law.

Here are the key responsibilities handled at any RTO office:

• Conducting driving tests

• Testing and issuing a learning license

• Renewing driving licenses

• Issuing an international driving license

• Issuing licenses for driving instructors

• Issuing licenses for conductors

• Issuing and renewing of Registration Certificate for Motor Vehicles

• Transferring ownership in Registration Certificate

• Registering loan transactions

• Making changes and recording the changes in the Registration Certificate

• Issuing of NOC

• Issuing fitness certificates for both private and transport vehicles

• Issuing permits for tourists and transport vehicles

• Collecting road tax on motor vehicles

• Collecting of IMV fees

• Departmental action cases

• Inspecting vehicles at check posts

• Clearing pollution tests

• Selling customized registrations

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is responsible for a wide range of vehicle and transport-related services. Whether you're buying a new vehicle or updating your documentation, your local regional transport office RTO ensures everything runs smoothly and by the law.

Some of the key services offered at any new RTO office include:

• Issuing Learner and Permanent Driving Licenses: You can apply for a learner’s license and, upon passing your test, get a permanent driving license.

• Commercial Driving Licenses: RTOs also issue commercial vehicle licenses for goods and passenger transport.

• International Driving Permits: For those planning to drive abroad, RTOs provide international licenses upon application.

• Vehicle Registration and Re-registration: Every new or second-hand vehicle must be registered through the RTO. Re-registration is required when relocating to a new state.

• Road and Audio Tax Payment: The RTO handles tax collection for both private and commercial vehicles, including audio tax, where applicable.

• Fitness Certificates for Commercial Vehicles: These are mandatory to confirm that a commercial vehicle is roadworthy and compliant with emission norms.

Many of these services are closely tied to insurance needs. For example, a valid fitness certificate is essential when purchasing commercial vehicle insurance or renewing car insurance. Likewise, current registration records are required for buying car insurance online, especially when comparing policies like third-party vehicle insurance, zero depreciation car insurance, or comprehensive car insurance.

VAHAN is an integrated solution with RTO vehicle details. Launched in 2011, VAHAN is a national vehicle registry introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways along with the National Informatics Centre. This highly flexible and comprehensive system takes care of the heavy activities of vehicle registration, equipping the transport department to handle more important and pressurizing transport and business issues.

With VAHAN, the RTOs can computerize processes such as vehicle registration, fitness, taxes, permits and enforcement, etc. The main objective of VAHAN is to collate all details of the motor vehicle registration certificates from the RTO and DTO (District Transport Offices) across the country.

Here a few services offered by VAHAN:

• Vehicle registration
• Issue of permit
• Tax calculation and payment
• Issue and renewal for vehicle fitness certificate
• Issue of challan and penalty settlement

SARATHI was created initiated by the Road Transport and Highway Ministry to digitize the working conditions of the road transport offices. SARATHI was initiated to create a computerized database of vehicle-related licenses and RTO information, such as driving licenses, changes in permanent driving license, driving school licenses and fees, conductor’s licenses, etc. SARATHI was created as per the state regulations along with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Each Regional Transport Office (RTO) in India is assigned a unique code by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These codes help identify where a vehicle is registered.

Below is a list of RTO state codes along with their official transport websites for quick access to state-specific services like driving licenses, vehicle registration, and more.

This list is useful for individuals seeking services at a new RTO office or checking state-specific policies related to vehicle insurance renewal or car insurance online.

Each regional transport office (RTO) in India’s Union Territories manages essential services like vehicle registration, permits, and driving licenses. These processes also support related needs such as car insurance renewal, car insurance online, and eligibility for third-party motor insurance or comprehensive car insurance.

Below is a quick reference table of RTO codes and official websites:

• Conducting driving tests
• Testing and issuing learning license
• Renewing driving licenses
• Issuing international driving license
• Issuing licenses for driving instructors
• Issuing licenses for conductors
• Issuing and renewing of Registration Certificate for Motor Vehicles
• Transferring ownership in Registration Certificate
• Registering loan transactions
• Making changes and recording the changes in the Registration Certificate
• Issuing of NOC
• Issuing of fitness certificate
• Issuing permits for tourists and transport vehicles
• Collecting road tax on motor vehicles
• Collecting of IMV fees
• Departmental action cases
• Inspecting vehicles at check posts
• Clearing pollution tests
• Selling customized registrations
• Issuing fitness certificate to transport vehicles

Re-registration of a Motor Vehicle in a New State

When you relocate to a different state in India, it's important to re-register your vehicle with the local regional transport office (RTO). This ensures your vehicle complies with local regulations and is legally recognised in the new state.

The re-registration process typically involves:

• Submit your existing Registration Certificate (RC) to the new RTO office.

• Provide proof of your new residence.

• Obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original RTO.

• Paying the applicable road tax in the new state.

• Verify the vehicle’s fitness (if required) and clear pollution tests.

• Updating your insurance documents, especially if you have car insurance online or need a fresh vehicle insurance renewal.

Once re-registered, the vehicle is assigned a new number linked to the state's RTO code. This process is essential for applying for a local fitness certificate, updating your motor insurance, or generating quotes through a vehicle insurance calculator.

If you're relocating with a commercial vehicle, make sure to review applicable commercial vehicle insurance terms, as they may vary by state.

Every Regional Transport Office (RTO) in India is authorised to collect fees for various transport-related services. These charges cover essential functions like vehicle registration, driving licenses, permits, and fitness certification. The structure of these fees is regulated under the Motor Vehicles Act and may vary slightly by state.

The common RTO charges are:

• Vehicle Registration Fees: Collected when registering a new vehicle or transferring ownership of an existing one.

• Driving License Fees: Applicable for learner’s licenses, permanent driving licenses, and international driving permits.

• Fitness Certificate Charges: Required for both private and transport vehicles, especially to renew documents or validate compliance with emission norms.

• Permit Fees: Charged for commercial and tourist vehicles that require legal permission to operate across states or within cities.

• Road Tax and IMV Fees: A one-time or periodic tax based on the vehicle’s engine capacity, weight, and fuel type. IMV refers to Indian Motor Vehicle fees, which are levied based on usage.

Having valid RTO documentation is essential when buying or renewing car insurance online. Insurers often require an up-to-date Registration Certificate (RC), proof of road tax payment, and a valid fitness certificate, especially for commercial vehicle insurance. These records help generate accurate premium quotes using a vehicle insurance calculator and support smoother processing for both third-party car insurance and comprehensive car insurance policies.

Downloading RTO forms online is quick and convenient through the official Parivahan portal, which is managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These forms are required for various services offered by the regional transport office (RTO), such as vehicle registration, license issuance, and ownership transfers.

Here are the steps to download an RTO form:

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan portal’s official website.

Step 2: Select “Informational Services” from the main menu.

Step 3: Click on “Downloadable Forms” and then choose “All Forms” from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: On the next page, view and download the relevant RTO form as per your requirement.

These forms are often needed for services like applying at a new RTO office, updating registration details, or submitting documentation for car insurance online. Accurate and up-to-date forms also support smoother processes for vehicle insurance renewal, third-party vehicle insurance, and comprehensive car insurance.

The mParivahan app is the official mobile platform developed by the National Informatics Centre to help citizens access verified vehicle and driver-related services from the regional transport office (RTO). It is available for download on Android (Play Store) and iOS (App Store).

Here’s what you can do with the app:

• Check vehicle registration details using the number plate

• Access RTO services like applying for duplicate RC, NOC, or HP endorsement

• Report traffic violations or accidents directly from the app

• Find the nearest PUC centre, RTO, petrol pump, or hospital

• View virtual documents like your Driving Licence and Registration Certificate

• Pay traffic challans online with ease

• The app is especially useful for drivers managing documents required for car insurance renewal, confirming policy data for car insurance online, or checking compliance before buying third-party vehicle insurance or comprehensive car insurance.

It’s a smart way to stay connected with your local RTO office, reduce paperwork, and keep your vehicle records up to date.

If you wish to transfer the ownership of a registered vehicle, you can follow these steps:

• Fill the applicable RTO form – Form 29 and 30
• Obtain a NOC from the state where the vehicle was originally registered. In case the vehicle is bought through finance, NOC is to be obtained from the financer.
• Get the PUC certificate
• Secure vehicle insurance certificate
• Pay applicable fees and road taxes
• Complete registration of the vehicle
• Affirm sale and purchase of a vehicle
• Submit age and address proof documents along with passport size photographs

To ensure you navigate the transfer process faster, ensure all your documents and other proceedings are in order.