The Regional Transport Office or RTO is a government organisation which maintains a database of drivers and of vehicles for various Indian states and union territories. The RTO issues driving licences sells personalised registrations and maintains the collection of excise duty such as road tax. Insurance check and pollution test of vehicles are also conducted by the Regional Transport Office. There are thousands of RTOs office in India, and you should visit the nearest RTO in your area to get all vehicle and transportation-related work done.
RTO-related things that can be done 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-things that can be done 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 License test on the track
- To write your Learner’s License test
- For accident disputes
RTO Fine
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 license | Kolkata | 500 |
| To drive a vehicle without a license | 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 license (in case you want to travel abroad and need an international license), and vehicle NOC (for people who want to transfer their vehicles from one state to another).
RTO FAQs
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. What are the eligibility criteria to obtain a Driving License?
The eligibility criteria to obtain a Driving Licence are-
- 16 years - For motorcycles with less than 50cc engine capacity.
- 20 years - For passenger vehicles and all goods vehicles.
- 18 years - All the remaining vehicles, i.e. vehicles other than motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc and transport vehicles.
7. What is the minimum educational qualification required to hold a Driving Licence?
The minimum educational qualification to hold a driving license 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.
8. What is the validity period for licenses?
The validity period is as follows:
- For learner’s licence – 6 months from the date of issue.
- For transport vehicle – 3 years from the date of issue.
- For any other vehicle – 20 years from the date of issue or until the age of 50 years (whichever is earlier). After the applicant turns 50, the license validity reduces to 5 years.
Popular applications people submit in RTO
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 license
- Vehicle registration form
- Tax challans/receipts
- International driving permit
These are just a few of the many applications forms available at the RTO.
