Goa is one of the smallest Indian states, blessed with pristine beaches and estuaries characterising the coastline of mainland Goa. Agriculture and fisheries are the primary sources of Goa's economy. Its favourable economic condition and tourism attract people and traffic. 

When measured it registered 1.4 million vehicles across Goa at the end of the fiscal year 2019. Thankfully, there are 12 Regional Transport Offices to look after the transport-related services.

If you want to avail vehicular services from RTO Goa, you can click on the following link. This link will redirect you to the official RTO portal of Goa

Goa RTO Website: https://goatransport.gov.in/

The functions of Goa RTO are as follows:

• Collect road taxes 

• Issue and renew driving licences 

• Issue and renew vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs)

• Check pollution level and provide a PUC certificate

• Transfer vehicle ownership

• Initiate vehicle registration transfer

• Issue Vehicle Fitness Certificate

• Arrange NOC for vehicle

• Issue motor vehicle permits for authorisation of vehicles 

• Arrange national, tourist and international permit

A driving licence is mandatory when you are driving a vehicle in India. Below are the different types of driving licence you can get from Goa RTO:

• International Driving Permit 

• Learners’ Licence

• Permanent Licence

• Commercial Driving Licence

In Goa, the RC of a non-transport vehicle is usually valid for about 15 years. After this term, you must register your vehicle after every five years.

Here are the different types of vehicle registration done in Goa RTO:

• Temporary Registration 

• Permanent registration

However, after registering your vehicle you will receive a registration number from Goa RTO. This number appears on the number plate of your vehicle.

Below are the different types of number plates that RTO Goa issues:

• Red number plate

• Green number plate

• White number plate

• Yellow number plate

• Blue number plate

• Black number plate

• Red number plate with the emblem of India

• Number plate with an upward arrow

Below are the types of registration certificates issued by Goa RTO:

• Permanent RC

• Temporary RC

• RC Renewal

• Duplicate RC

While registering a vehicle, you must pay a certain charge. The state government determines the charge for all the cities and districts. Here are the registration charges you have to pay in Goa:

• Registration Charges: ₹600

• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500 (if the car is bought on loan)

• Number Plate: For High-Security Number Plate (HSRP): ₹230 to ₹400

• Parking Fee/State Development Charges: ₹2000 – MCD Parking Fees for cars below ₹4 Lakh

• MCD Parking Fees for Cars Above ₹4 Lakh (Applicable in Some States): ₹4000 

• Temporary Registration Charges: ₹1500 to ₹2500 (valid for one month)

• FasTag: ₹500 to ₹600 (payable at the time of buying a car)

• Road Tax Fees: 

  • Petrol or CNG Cars: 8% (Below ₹10 Lakh), 10% (₹10 Lakh to ₹20 Lakh), 12% (Price above ₹20 Lakh)

  • EV Cars: 6% (Price less than ₹10 Lakh), 8% (₹10 Lakh to ₹20 Lakh), 10% (Price Above ₹20 Lakh)

  • Diesel Cars: 10% (Price less than ₹10 Lakh), 12% (₹10 Lakh to ₹20 Lakh), 14% (Price Above 20 Lakh)

Every vehicle owner in Goa must pay road taxes while driving on the roads in Goa. Goa road tax is calculated separately for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Below is a summary of these taxes:

For Two-Wheelers:

• 9% for two-wheelers less than ₹1.5 Lakh 

• 12% for two-wheelers between ₹1.5 Lakh and ₹3 Lakh

• 15% for two-wheelers more than ₹3 Lakh

For Four-Wheelers:

• 9% for four-wheelers less than ₹6 Lakh 

• 11% for four-wheelers between ₹6 Lakh and ₹15 Lakh

• 13% for four-wheelers between ₹15 Lakh and ₹35 Lakh

• 14% for four-wheelers more than ₹35 Lakh

You can check vehicle details and get information about its owner from the official Parivahan portal. Moreover, you can complete the process of finding the vehicle owner's details even faster by using Digit's website and App to find vehicle owner details by registration number. 

You will just have to add the vehicle's registration number, chassis, engine number, etc. It will help you find the details of the owner easily. 

Below are the top 10 things you must remember when driving on the Goa roads:

• Check if your car's braking system is sound.

• Carry your driving licence.

• Make sure your car's horns are working.

• Ensure that the car’s headlights and backlights are working and highlighting the number plate.

• Check that the car’s tyres are properly inflated.

• Carry your car’s insurance certificate.

• Ensure that the car’s registration number is visible in the right format. 

• Avoid drugs or alcohol while driving.

• Ensure you wear a helmet while driving.

• Follow the rules of the 'No Entry' Zone.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988, it is mandatory to follow the traffic rules in Goa and every other Indian state. If you violate the traffic rules, you will have to face the consequences and have to pay unnecessary fines and penalties. Some of the Goa traffic fines are as follows:

• Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: ₹1500 (for three-wheeler vehicles), ₹3000 (for light motor vehicles), and ₹5000 (for heavy vehicles). These penalties are for those who commit violations for the first-time.

• Riding a Two-Wheeler/Four-Wheeler Vehicle With No Helmet On: ₹500

• Driving Without a Valid Driving Licence: ₹2000 (two-wheelers) and ₹3000 (three or four-wheelers).

• Not Giving Passage to Emergency Vehicles: ₹1000

• Driving Unregistered Vehicles: ₹1000 (for two-wheelers), ₹2000 (for three-wheelers), ₹3000 (for four-wheelers) and ₹5000 (for larger vehicles such as trucks, buses, etc.)

• Over-Speeding: ₹1500 (for two-wheelers), ₹2000 (for LMVs) and ₹4000 (for HMVs).

• Drunk Driving: ₹10000 with six months of prison and ₹15000 with two years of prison (for repeated offence)

• Violating Stipulated Pollution Standards: ₹1000 (for lightweight two-wheelers) and ₹3000 (for other vehicles).

• Driving/Riding Without Insurance: ₹2000 with three months of prison or community service and ₹4000 with two years of prison (for repeated offence)

• Disobeying Traffic Signals: ₹5000

• Juvenile Offences: ₹25000 with three years prison, cancellation of registration for one year, and the juvenile will be ineligible for a licence until 25 years of age.

As per reports, some traffic fines have been reduced in some areas of Goa. For example, overloading a two-wheeler attracted a charge of ₹1000 earlier. It has now been reduced to ₹100. 

According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, it is mandatory to have vehicle insurance if purchasing a new vehicle in Goa. If you fail to insure your vehicle as per the rules, you will have to face serious consequences. 

Moreover, there can also be imprisonment if you repeat the offence. Therefore, every driver in Goa must have an insurance policy that covers third-party damages.

Car insurance is a saviour as it protects you from unforeseen incidents and sudden liabilities on the road. Since there has been an increase in the number of accidents in India for the past few years, it is mandatory to have car insurance. Here are some benefits of car insurance:

• Repair bills due to the damage that happens during an accident.

• This insurance includes damages apart from an accidental one, such as - an earthquake, terrorism, etc.

• Lawsuits include the legal fees that are held liable for the damage.

• Survivors of the deceased receive several benefits due to this insurance.

According to recent statistics from Goa police, 271 persons died in road accidents last year. Amongst them, 40% were from the 18-35 age bracket. Most cases happened because the drivers were not wearing helmets.

Another recent news report said three people were tripling on a scooter on Sunday evening and violating the Motor Vehicle Act. The scooter hit a shuttle bus causing the loss of lives of these youngsters.

Another news reported that two children and a senior were killed and a couple got seriously injured as their car collided head-on with a truck. This incident happened on the Mumbai-Goa highway.

The vehicles registered in Goa can avail the following contactless services without having to visit the RTO office:

• Change of Name in Driving Licence

• Change of Address in Driving Licence

• Issue of Learner's Licence & Including New Part in Learning Licence

• Name and Address Change in Learner's Licence

• Receive Duplicate Learner's Licence and Driving Licence

• Renew Driving Licence

• Cancel Registration

• Book Slots for Driving Tests

• Print DL Extracts

• Book an Appointment for Fitness Certificate

• Issue International Driving Permit

• Add and Terminate Hypothecation

These faceless/contactless services will reduce the wastage of paper and save ample time. In addition, this initiative will effectively reduce the hassle of visiting the RTO office and waiting for long hours to avail any service.

As per a recent report, Goa's traffic police cell has installed four-speed radars to detect traffic violations. Linked with CCTV cameras, these speed radars detected 3200 violations within 24 hours.

Mapusa police conducted an awareness campaign recently in a school to highlight the dangers of substance abuse and traffic violations.

Another recent report confirms that AI has set foot in Goa to manage traffic congestion. Additionally, this system also creates a green corridor for ambulances and other emergency services. 

The United Nations-sponsored World Road Safety Week which happened for a week in Goa, recently. This campaign made pedestrians and drivers aware of the traffic rules and signals.

'Pothole Raja' recently arranged an awareness campaign to promote the use of helmets in Goa. This campaign also focused on the subject of road safety.