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Regional Transport Office (RTO)
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is the backbone of the Indian transport system. It is a government organization responsible for maintaining a comprehensive database of drivers and vehicles for every state in India.
Operating under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the RTOs ensure that every vehicle on the road is registered, every driver is licensed, and the roads remain safe for everyone. Whether you are buying a new car or applying for a learner's license, the RTO is your primary point of contact.
Why Do We Need RTOs?
Without RTOs, there would be no regulation of traffic laws, vehicle ownership, or driver competence. They act as the regulatory authority ensuring law, order, and safety on Indian roads.
Key Functions of an RTO
The responsibilities of an RTO extend far beyond just issuing licenses. Here are the 5 pillars of RTO operations.
Driving License (Sarathi)
Issuing Learner's Licenses, Permanent Driving Licenses, and International Driving Permits via the Sarathi portal.
Vehicle Registration (Vahan)
Handling new vehicle registrations, transfer of ownership, and issuing Registration Certificates (RC).
Revenue Collection
Collecting Road Tax and other transport-related fees which are crucial for maintaining road infrastructure.
Granting Permits
Providing necessary permits for commercial vehicles, including inter-state and national permits.
Safety Checks
Conducting fitness tests for vehicles and checking for environmental compliance (PUC).
Decoding the RTO Code
Have you ever wondered what the characters on a license plate mean? Every part of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) tells a story.
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1
State Code (First 2 Letters)
Indicates the state. E.g., KA is Karnataka, MH is Maharashtra.
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2
District Code (Next 2 Numbers)
Identifies the specific RTO office. E.g., 01 might be the central city RTO.
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3
Series Code (Next 1-2 Letters)
Shows the ongoing series. Starts from A, B... to ZZ.
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4
Unique Number (Last 4 Digits)
A unique number from 0001 to 9999 assigned to the vehicle.
Standard layout of a private vehicle's number plate.
Special Number Plates
Yellow Plate
Commercial Vehicles (Taxis, Trucks)
Green Plate
Electric Vehicles
Black Plate
Self-Drive Rental Vehicles
Blue Plate
Foreign Diplomats
Vahan vs Sarathi
Sarathi Portal
Dedicated to Drivers. Use this for Driving License applications, learning license tests, and renewals.
Vahan Portal
Dedicated to Vehicles. Use this for RC status, fitness certification, and tax payments.
mParivahan App
Access all RTO services on your phone. The mParivahan app allows you to create virtual DL and RC, which are legally accepted by traffic police.
- ✔ Virtual RC & DL
- ✔ Verify Vehicle Details
- ✔ Locate Nearest RTO