Bilaspur is an important commercial centre in Chhattisgarh. The government medical college and hospitals in this region cater to the people from Chhattisgarh as well as from neighbouring states. To manage the growing number of vehicles on the roads of Bilaspur,  there are a total of 3 RTO offices. 

The codes CG-10, CG-23, and CG-28 are assigned to the respective RTO offices in Bilaspur city, Gariyaband and Mungeli. The transport offices have the responsibility to maintain a database of registered motor vehicles in the region.

The RTO office at Bilaspur plays several roles in ensuring and enforcing transport rules and regulations in the district. Its functions include:

• Conduct driving tests for new licence applicants

• Issue/renew Driving Licence

• Collect road tax

• Offer vehicle fitness certificate for commercial vehicles

• Issue learner’s permit

• Add a new class of vehicle on an existing licence

• Issue and manage different types of vehicle permits

• Issue/renew the vehicle registration certificate

• Issue NOC for vehicle transfer

The following types of Driving Licence are issued by Bilaspur RTO offices:

• Two wheeler licence

• LMV licence for personal usage

• LMV licence for commercial usage

• All India driving permit for heavy passenger motor vehicles

• LMV licence for transport purpose

RTO offices in the Bilaspur district are authorised to issue 2 types of vehicle registration:

• Permanent Registration

• Temporary Registration

Here is a complete breakdown of new vehicle registration charges in the Bilaspur RTO region:

• Registration Charges: ₹600

• Charges for Number Plate: ₹1000

• Fast-Tag Charges: ₹500

• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500

Chhattisgarh road tax is collected by the 3 RTO offices in Bilaspur. The amount of tax differs as per the type of vehicle as well as its age:

• Two-wheelers (new): 4% of the vehicle cost

• Two-wheelers (old): ₹6000 to ₹15000  

• Four-wheelers (new): 5% to 6% of vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers (old): ₹50000 to ₹6 lakhs depending on the age of the vehicle

Violating traffic rules and regulations may incur penalties according to Chhattisgarh traffic fines in the Bilaspur RTO region. Following are some of the penalty charges:

• Driving without a seatbelt: ₹1000

• Driving without a helmet: ₹1000 and/or licence disqualification for three months

• Driving without a licence: ₹5000 and/or up to 1-month imprisonment

• Driving without RC: First offence - ₹2000 - ₹5000, and ₹5000 - ₹10000 for repeated offence

• Drunk Driving: First offence – ₹10000, and ₹15000 for the offence

• Rash Driving: First offence – ₹1000 - ₹5000, and ₹10000 for subsequent offence

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. In fact, the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 made it obligatory for each vehicle to have at least third-party insurance. You may also get first-party insurance to safeguard your vehicle against accidental damages. However, it is not mandatory according to the law.

As per the news, Bilaspur city is all set to introduce surveillance cameras at various places to manage traffic. As part of the project, 523 cameras were installed in strategic locations around the city. 

Further, special traffic signals and public address systems are also installed in Bilaspur under this project. The new project will ensure more accurate and quick enforcement of traffic laws in the region. 

Bilaspur’s Sankara Chowk made headlines as the narrow road caused a 2-hour-long traffic jam. Though traffic jams are a daily event on this narrow road, the 2 hours long traffic jam frustrated the locals.  

As per reports, the road is due to be widened in order to accommodate the daily flow of traffic. However, the widening work is delayed by the administration. Locals are demanding a ban on heavy vehicles on the Sankara Chowk to prevent such traffic jams.

Recently, a school in Bilaspur organised a traffic awareness program. The in charge of the road safety cell was present on occasion and informed students about safe traffic behaviour. He further advised students on the dangers of riding bikes under the age of 18. 

In January, AIIMS Bilaspur hosted a function to observe the Government's Road Safety Week campaign. AIIMS's Department of Neurosurgery further rose to the occasion and conducted awareness training for the Police department at Police Lines, Bilaspur.