Mahasamund, a district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, has a rich cultural background. It is a populous locality too, where people rely heavily on the Regional Transport Office of Mahasamund (CG-06) for smooth transport and other transport-related services like vehicle registration, issuance of driving licence, etc.

Some of the main functions of Mahasamund RTO are: 

• Issuing learner's licence and permanent licence
• Issuance of hypothecation certificate
• Providing registration for non-transport vehicles
• Issuance of registration certificate with an endorsement 
• Renewal of driving licence
• Change of address in the RC
• Conducting driving tests
• Providing fitness certificate
• Issuance of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
• Initiate transfer of vehicle ownership
• Renewal of fitness certificate for non-transport and commercial vehicle
• Regulation of driving schools 
• Providing duplicate licence
• Charging penalties against drivers breaking traffic rules 
• Issuance of fancy registration numbers on request
• Inspection of vehicles 
• Promotion of road safety

RTO Mahasamund issues several types of driving licence. Some of them are:

• Light motor vehicle licence
• Gearless two-wheeler licence 
• Geared two-wheeler licence
• Medium motor vehicle licence 
• Commercial four-wheeler licence 
• Heavy motor vehicle licence

Mahasamund RTO issues two types of vehicle registration: 

• Permanent registration
• Temporary Registration

Once the registration is complete, vehicle owners would get the number to display on the number plate. Owners have to carry the registration certificate (soft/hard copy) while driving.

Apart from the registration charges several other charges follow a vehicle’s purchase. Here is a list covering a few:

• Road tax charges: 8% to 9% of a vehicle’s cost 
• Registration charges: ₹600 (for every vehicle)
• Hypothecation charges: ₹1500
• FasTag charges: ₹500
• Smart card and number plate charges: ₹1000
• Temporary registration charges: ₹1200 to ₹1500

The RTO office of Mahasamund follows the guidelines of road tax in Chhattisgarh. Depending on a vehicle’s age, weight, type, etc. the authorities calculate the tax; here is a set of examples:

• For Two-wheelers (lower than 70 kg): ₹8000 (aged 5 to 15) and ₹6000 (aged 15+) 
• For Two-wheelers (higher than 70 kg and up to 200cc): ₹15000 (aged 5 to 15) and ₹8000 (aged 15+)
• For Four-wheelers (below and up to ₹5 lakh): 5% of the price of the vehicle
• For Four-wheelers (above ₹5 lakh): 6% of the price of the vehicle
• For Older Four-wheelers (lower than 800 kg): ₹1 lakh (aged 5 to 15) and ₹50000 (aged 15+)            
• For Older Four-wheelers (higher than 800 kg and up to 2000 kg): ₹1.5 lakh (aged 5 to 15) and ₹1 lakh (aged 15+)

Fines and penalties will apply for breaking rules in Mahasamund. The following list contains a few of the more common rule violations:

• Refusing to Ply Passengers: ₹50 for two and three-wheelers, ₹500 for others 
• Over Speeding: ₹1000 to ₹2000 (LMV), ₹2000 to ₹4000 (MPV/HPV)  
• Driving Without Authorisation: ₹5000 (may include 3 months imprisonment)
• Unnecessary Honking: ₹1000 to ₹2000 
• Driving Without Licence: ₹5000 (may include 1-month imprisonment)
• Not giving consent for weighing a vehicle: ₹40000
• Driving vehicles with extra load: ₹20000 (₹2000 per extra ton)

Yes. Having vehicle insurance is mandatory according to the Motor Vehicle Act, of 1988. It plays a crucial role in aspects like:

• Paying for Hospitalisation: Vehicle insurance can cover the owner’s and any third person’s hospitalisation cost that can be necessary after any accidents.
• Reduction of Liability: Third-party insurance is necessary as it covers the owner against legal liabilities to a third party involved in an accident, third-party injuries, property damage and death.
• Stress-relief: Vehicle insurance helps many drivers have a stress-free driving experience which is crucial for overall safety on the roads.

Furthermore, if one fails to show proof of such insurance he or she might have to pay a fine of ₹2000 (for the first time) and ₹4000 (for subsequent times) and it may also include imprisonment for up to 3 months.

As per news, on 17^th January 2023, 2 people died and 8 got injured due to an accident near Tendukona in Mahasamund. A tractor-trolley got out of control and overturned and immediately killed the 2 people riding the vehicle. The injured 8 are being treated at Bagbahara healthcare centre.

There was an all-state road safety campaign organised from 11^th to 17^th January by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway.

The awareness campaign included short video competition, safety warrior programme, campaign against overloading, checking the use of reflective tape, etc.