Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh is a historical city. Legends say Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana visited this city during their 14- years of exile. This city serves as the headquarters of the Surguja district and ranks second on the list of cleanest cities in India. 

This city has one RTO, which is known by the code CG-15. This RTO is responsible for maintaining the smooth traffic flow and providing various vehicular services to the residents of Ambikapur.

The RTO in Ambikapur carries out several functions. However, its main function is to ensure all the registered vehicles follow the regulations set by certain Acts and the State Government. 

• Issuance of driving licence

• Registering motor vehicles and renewal of RC

• Conducting driving tests

• Providing learners’ licence

• Issuing inter-state and national driving permits

• Doing inspection for issuing vehicle fitness certificate

On a larger scale, the RTO in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, issues four types of driving licence. 

• Permanent Driving Licence

• Learner’s Driving Licence

• Commercial Driving Licence

• International Driving Permit

The Regional Transport Office of Ambikapur issues only two types of vehicle registration:

• Permanent Vehicle Registration

• Temporary Vehicle Registration

In all the districts of Chhattisgarh, vehicle registration charges are applied uniformly. 

• Registration Charges: ₹600 for all cars, irrespective of their values

• Temporary Registration Certificate: ₹1200-₹1500 for a validity of one month

• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500 for a vehicle that is on loan

• Number Plate Charges: ₹1000

Like the registration charges, Chhattisgarh road tax is the same in all districts, including Ambikapur.

• For New Two-wheelers: 4% of the vehicle cost 

• For Old Two-wheelers: ₹6000 - ₹30000 (based on weight, engine capacity, and performance period) 

• For Three-wheelers: ₹15000 - ₹60000 (based on seating capacity and vehicle’s age)

• For New Four-wheelers: 5% of the vehicle cost for motor cars up to ₹5 Lakhs, 6% of the vehicle cost for motor cars above ₹5 Lakhs 

• For Old Four-wheelers: ₹50000 - ₹600000 (based on weight, performance period, and engine capacity) 

• Commercial Vehicles: ₹150 for every seat per quarter; ₹200 for every seat per quarter for vehicles with all-India permits

Violating traffic rules in Ambikapur can lead to severe consequences. For instance, paying penalty charges and sometimes even imprisonment. The traffic fines applied in Chhattisgarh are the same throughout the state. 

• Disobeying traffic rules: ₹500-₹1000

• Driving without a licence: ₹5000 and/or imprisonment for up to one month

• Refusal of information to authority or disobedience of orders: ₹2000 and/or imprisonment of up to one month

• Drunk driving: ₹10,000 for the first time, ₹15000 for a subsequent offence

• Blocking passage of emergency vehicles: ₹10000 and/or imprisonment for six months

• Overloading commercial vehicles: ₹20,000 and ₹2000 per extra tonne

• Honking unnecessarily: ₹1000-₹2000

All over India, it is mandatory to have motor insurance for operating a vehicle in a public space, and Ambikapur is no different. The Motor Vehicles Act states that one must get at least a third-party liability insurance cover. Otherwise, they may have to pay a fine of ₹2000- ₹4000.

There are reports of serious road accidents on the Bisalpur National Highway, Ambikapur. Four young men were badly injured in the accident. This happened due to a brake failure near a local temple.

Another grave accident occurred when a goods vehicle collided with a bike. It was reported that the main cause of this accident was poor road quality. This enraged the public and caused a road strike.

As per an article by Nai Dunia e-newspaper, Police forces have implemented many road safety campaigns, but the results are yet to reflect. 

ABP published news on the road safety campaigns that have been launched in Chhattisgarh. The state took help from NCC Cadets, students of NSS and the Indian Scouts Guide. They would be appointed at the accident-prone areas for monitoring purposes.