RTO or Regional Transport Office
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is a government body that maintains vehicle and driver records, issues driving licences, collects road tax, and conducts insurance and pollution checks. With thousands of RTOs across India, citizens can visit their nearest RTO for vehicle registration and other transport-related services.
RTO Services Online
The Internet has made things easy for us in many ways. Gone are the days when you had to visit the RTO, stand in a queue for long hours to submit a DL application. Now you can do most of the tasks online. Some of the most important RTO-related tasks you can do online are:
- Apply for a DL and submit all the required/necessary documents
- Book an appointment to visit the RTO
- Apply for DL renewal
- Download a copy of your DL etc.
RTO Services Offline
Though you can perform many tasks online sitting at the luxury of your home, there are a few things that require your physical presence. You will have to visit the nearest RTO to get this done. Some of the tasks you will have to visit the RTO for are:
- To register your new vehicle
- To take your Driving Licence test on the track
- To write your Learner's Licence test
- For accident disputes
How to Check and Pay RTO Fines Online
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the apex body that outlines the traffic rules and regulations that are needed to be followed in our country. When a person breaks any one of these rules, it is a punishable offence. The offender will be required to pay hefty fines/penalties or will be imprisoned or both, depending on the type of offence. Some of the common offences and the fine levied against them are mentioned below:
Type of offence | City | Fine amount (In Rs.) |
Driving above the speed limit | Bangalore | 300 |
Driving vehicle without a Licence | Kolkata | 500 |
To drive a vehicle without a Licence | Delhi | 500 |
Not carrying mandatory documents | Mumbai | 100 for the first time and 300 for a subsequent offence |
Driving at excessive speed | Chennai | 300 |
*Please note that the penalty differs from state to state. Your State Transport Department will declare the updated offence and penalty list from time to time. Please visit your State Transport Department's official website for accurate details.
Other RTO-related tasks
Most of us visit the RTO only for a driving licence. Although, that is the most common reason people visit the RTO for there are many other tasks that can be carried out in an RTO. Some of the other RTO-related activities are:
- Booking Duplicate RC: You can apply for a duplicate registration certificate at an RTO in case you have lost your RC book.
- Vehicle Ownership Transfer: If you have sold your vehicle to someone and you want to transfer the vehicle to his/her name, you can do it at your nearest RTO.
Other RTO-related tasks also include address and name change in RC book, international Licence (in case you want to travel abroad and need an international Licence), and vehicle NOC (for people who want to transfer their vehicles from one state to another).
Most Common RTO Applications and Forms
There are numerous reasons people visit an RTO for. Every task requires a duly-filled application. Some of the common applications RTO officers receive
- Application for driving licence
- Renewal of DL
- Application for learner's Licence
- Vehicle registration form
- Tax challans/receipts
- International driving permit
These are just a few of the many applications forms available at the RTO.
What is Temporary RTO Registration?
Unlike permanent RTO registration number, a temporary registration number is given by the dealer you buy the vehicle from. A temporary registration number is given to a brand new vehicle which is yet to be registered permanently. This temporary registration number is valid for a short time which is usually one month. WIthin this period, the vehicle should be mandatorily registered with the concerned RTO authority.
How to Check Your Vehicle Registration Details Online?
Vahan is an integrated software solution that is used mainly for vehicle registration in our country. Apart from vehicle registration, this system also performs other functions like renewal permit, issuing fitness certificate, and transfer of ownership of the vehicle which allows the Transport Department to focus on priority tasks.
In case of any offence, you will be able to check vehicle registration details online through Vahan. All you have to do is send an SMS to Vahan to check the RTO details. Please send a SMS in the format - VAHAN{SPACE}VEHICLE NUMBER to 77382 99899 and you will get a reply in around 5 minutes. You will get the following information in the SMS:
- Owner name
- RTO Office where the vehicle was registered
- Fitness certificate expiry date
- Ownership serial number (If it is the first owner, second owner, or third owner)
You can visit Vahan official website and enter the vehicle number and click on the submit button to get all the information about the vehicle.
RTO Services
You can avail the below 58 RTO services online with Aadhar authentication in parivahan website.
- Application of Learner Licence
- Change of Address in Learner Licence
- Change of Name in Learner Licence
- Change of Photo and Signature in Learner Licence
- Issue of Duplicate Learner Licence
- Learner License Extract provisioning
- Issue of Duplicate Driving License (DL)
- Renewal of Driving Licence for which test of competence to drive is not required
- Replacement of Driving Licence.
- Application for registration for driver training from Accredited Driver Training Centre and requirement of passing certificate to be sent to concerned Regional Transport Office (RTO) for issuance of Driving Licence (DL)
- Change of Address in Driving Licence
- Change of Name in Driving Licence
- Change of Biometrics in Driving Licence
- Change of Date of Birth in Driving Licence
- Change of Photo and Signature in Driving Licence
- Driving License Extract provisioning
- Issue of International Driving Permit
- Surrender of Class of Vehicle from License
- Endorsement to Drive Hazardous Material
- Endorsement to Drive in Hill Region
- Issue of Driving License for Defence.
- Additional endorsement on Driving license (AEDL) for Defence Driving License Holder
- Issue of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Badge to Driver
- Issue of Duplicate Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Badge.
- Temporary Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Badge to Driver
- Renewal of Conductor License.
- Issue of Duplicate Conductor License
- Conductor License Extract provisioning
- Issue of Temporary Conductor License
- Change of Address in Conductor License
- Change of Biometrics in Conductor License
- Change of Name in Conductor License
- for Temporary Registration of motor vehicle.
- Application for Registration of motor vehicle with fully built body
- Application for issue of duplicate Certificate of Registration (RC)
- Deposit of Registration Certificate fees
- Application for Grant of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Certificate of Registration
- Change in Address in Certificate of Registration
- View Registration Certificate (RC) particulars against fee.
- Retention of Registration Number
- Notice of Transfer of Ownership of motor vehicle
- Application for Transfer of Ownership of motor vehicle.
- Payment of additional Life Time Tax (Transfer of ownership Case)
- Endorsement of hire-purchase agreement
- Termination of hire-purchase agreement
- Issue or Renewal of Trade Certificate.
- Issue of Fresh Permit
- Issue of Duplicate Permit
- Permit Non-Use Intimation
- Permanent Surrender of Permit
- Transfer of Permit
- Transfer of Permit (Death Case)
- Renewal of Permit
- Renewal of Permit Authorisation.
- Application for Special Permit.
- Application for Temporary Permit.
- Update Mobile Number in record for transport services.
- Issue of Duplicate Fitness certificate
FAQs on RTO
- Where should I go for registration of a vehicle?
You vehicle needs to be registered at the registering authority under whose jurisdiction your address falls.
- Within how many days do I need to register a vehicle?
Once you have bought a vehicle, make sure to apply for its registration within the next 7 days.
- Which documents can be submitted as proof of residence for registration of a vehicle?
You need to provide a copy of proof of address while registering your vehicle such as passport, landline phone bill, IT return, employer certificate, etc.
- For how many years a personal vehicle is registered?
A personal vehicle is registered for a period of 15 years. After that, you have to renew the certificate of registration for a period of 5 years at a time.
- For how many years the certificate of fitness of a transport vehicle stays valid?
The certificate of fitness is valid for two years and has to be renewed every year thereafter.
- What is the minimum educational qualification required to hold a Driving Licence?
The minimum educational qualification to hold a driving Licence to drive a transport vehicle is 8th standard. Moreover, the person is required to read and write at least one regional language along with English.
- What is the difference between DTO and RTO?
DTO is the district-level transport organization, whereas RTO is a regional transport organization. The RTO keeps information and databases on all drivers and vehicles in India's several states. The DTO, on the other hand, keeps records and databases of all drivers and automobiles in each district.
- What services are provided by RTO?
The key services offered by RTO are vehicle registration, issuance and renewal of vehicle permits, payment of taxes, issuance and renewal of fitness certificates, issuance of challan, and penalty amount settlement.
- How many RTOs are there in India?
There are over 1,100 RTOs in the country.
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