Gurgaon, better known as Gurugram, is one of India's fastest-growing cities. Located in the northern Indian state of Haryana, it has transformed itself from a small, sleepy town into a busy metropolis over the last few decades. It is especially famous for being a hub of corporate offices, multinational companies, modern infrastructure, and world-class amenities.

The Regional Transport Office is located in Gurgaon and plays a crucial role in managing vehicles and ensuring road safety in the city. 

This guide to RTO in Gurgaon will give you a comprehensive idea about the services they offer, which office to proceed to, and all procedures involving vehicle management in this dynamic city.

 The Regional Transport Offices (RTO) in Gurgaon are available to provide various services to the city for transport and automobiles. Here is a detailed overview of the services offered by different areas of RTOs at Gurgaon:

1. Vehicle Registration

The vehicle registration number is one of the legal and basic requirements for newly purchased and old vehicles. Thus, RTO offers different services related to vehicle registration:

• New Vehicle Registration:

Whether a personal or commercial vehicle, it must be registered with the RTO. In this process, a Registration Certificate is issued; if it is personal, its valid period is 15 years, and if it is a commercial vehicle, then it is for 2 years.

Required Documents: Sale receipt, insurance, address proof, ID proof, and a PUC certificate.

• Temporary and Permanent Registration:

 The dealer issues temporary registration for one month. After the expiry of the period, the owner must apply for permanent registration.

• Transfer of Ownership:

 After selling a vehicle, the registered ownership of the vehicle should be transferred to the buyer. An application can be made before the RTO to change the Registration Certificate.

• Renewal of Registration:

For private vehicles, the RC needs to be renewed after 15 years of the original registration so the vehicle remains registered legally.

2. Driving Licences

The RTO categorises the different types of driving licences issued as follows:

• Learner's Licence:

 This is the first licence issued to a person after passing the traffic rules and signals test.

• Permanent Driving Licence:

After 30 days following a learner's licence, one may get a permanent driving licence by passing the RTO's practical test.

• Driving Licence Renewal:

 Licences lapse after 20 years or age completion by 50 years.

• International Driving Permit:

 If someone travels abroad, the RTO provides an International Driving Permit, which is valid for one year in most countries.

• Duplicate Driving Licence:

If a licence is lost, damaged, or stolen, the RTO issues a duplicate after verifying the required documents.

• Licence Endorsements and Upgrades:

The RTO manages endorsements for drivers who want to add new vehicle categories or upgrade to a commercial licence.

3. Vehicle Permits

For commercial vehicles, the RTO provides permits which consist of:

• Commercial Vehicle Permits:

 Taxis, buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles need permits to move within cities or across the country.

• Temporary and National Permits:

Temporary permits are issued for the movement of running services for some time, while national permits are issued for inter-state transport services.

4. Collection of Road Tax

Road taxes are collected by the RTO while registering and renewing the vehicles:

• Lifetime Road Tax:

Generally, private vehicle owners pay a lifetime road tax at the time of registration, calculated based on the amount spent on buying the vehicle and its category.

• Annual Road Tax:

Commercial vehicles generally pay the road tax as an annual charge, which is to be paid according to the size and type of the vehicle.

5. Fitness Certificate for Vehicles

Commercial vehicles are expected to be tested on their fitness to be "fit enough" for the moves on roads:

• Fitness Certificate:

The RTO ensures a vehicle's observance of road safety through safety checks and issuing vehicle fitness certificates, which is usually an annual process.

• Renewal of Fitness Certificate:

Fitness certificates can be renewed based on vehicle usage, just like other categories of vehicle registrations.

6. Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC)

The RTO makes sure that the vehicles comply with the emission standards:

• Issuance of PUC:

When an automobile passes the emission test, a PUC certificate is issued. According to the states, this type of certificate can be for six to twelve months and denotes that the automobile has passed the pollution norms.

• PUC Verification:

An RTO conducts checks to ensure all road vehicles have valid PUC certificates.

7. No Objection Certificates (NOC)

 NOCs are issued by the RTO for the change of automobiles from one state or jurisdiction to another from the same RTO.

• Transfer of Vehicle from One State to Another State:

A NOC is issued when the vehicle is permanently shifted from one state to another without interference from the originating RTO.

• Inter-RTO Transfer:

NOC is also issued when vehicles are shifting within the same state but to a different RTO-regulated region.

8. Hypothecation Services

To all those vehicles that have been procured through loans, the RTO provides hypothecation services:

• Inclusion of Hypothecation:

Once the vehicle is financed, the RTO will include the financier details in the RC.

• Cancellation of Hypothecation:

After the loan is cleared, the owner can ask to have the financier's details removed from the RC.

9. Enforcements and Road Safety Measures

RTO will spearhead enforcement of traffic rules and road safety:

• Imposing Traffic Rules:

RTO ensures road safety by imposing traffic rules and punishing forbidden practices like speeding or drunk driving.

• Road Safety Awareness Programmes:

 RTO and other organisations develop programs to educate citizens on safe travelling practices and traffic rules.

If you want to drive anywhere in India, you must pass the driving test and obtain a driving licence. The RTOs conduct such tests in the offices of Gurgaon. They offer the following types of driving licence:  

• Learner’s Licence
• Temporary Licence 
• Permanent Licence 
• International Licence

The RTO offices in Gurgaon register all vehicles and provide Vehicle Registration Certificates, also popularly known as the number plate, which is quite indispensable. 

There are primarily two kinds of vehicle registrations that take place in Gurgaon:  

1. Temporary Registration

Temporary registration is the temporary number plate issued to a vehicle until it receives permanent registration. A given vehicle is usually registered by the dealer. It allows the owner to legally drive the vehicle until permanent registration is obtained.

Key Points:

• Applicability:

It exists for one month from the date of issuance. The reason it serves is that it allows the owner to drive the vehicle legally until the time when permanent registration is acquired.

• Issuing Authority:

Generally, it is issued by dealers but can also be collected from an RTO.

• Extension:

If permanent registration is not completed in time, the RTO usually offers an extension period with certain conditions, though it is usually limited.

2. Permanent Registration

Permanent registration is required for all vehicles in India. Personal vehicles are registered for 15 years, whereas commercial vehicles are registered for two years. After registering for permanent registration, the vehicle can legally run on the road.

Key Points:

• Application Time:

Permanent registration has to be applied within the validity period of temporary registration.

• Registration Certificate (RC):

During registration, the RTO provides the owner with an RC that proves he is the owner of the vehicle and should be carried while driving.

• Duration Validity:

The registration of a Private Vehicle is valid for 15 years and should be renewed every 5 years, whereas the registration of a commercial vehicle is valid for 2 years and should be renewed periodically.

• Penalty:

If a vehicle is not registered within the given time, fines or penalties might be charged, along with due dates. 

Permanent registration is inevitable for car ownership and legal running in India.

The RTO offices in Gurgaon issue several types of number plates to identify the registration category. Here is a list of the same:

• Blue number plate

• White number plate

• Red number plate

• Number plate with an upward arrow

• Yellow number plate

• Green number plate

• Red number plate with an emblem of India

The RTO offices charge registration fees from vehicle owners when registering new vehicles. In Gurgaon, you have to pay the following registration charges:

1. Grant or Renewal of Trade Certificate in respect of each class of vehicle (Section 34) (1):
   • Motorcycle: ₹500
   • Invalid Carriage: ₹500
   • Others: ₹1,000
2. Duplicate Trade Certificate (Section 38 (1):
   • Motorcycle: ₹300
   • Invalid Carriage: ₹300
   •  Others: ₹500
3. Appeal under rule 46 (Section 46 (1): ₹1,000
4. Issue or renewal of Certificate of registration and assignment of new registration mark (Sections 47 (1), 42 (1), 54 (1), 76 (1), and 78 (1):
   • Invalid Carriage: ₹50
   • Motorcycle: ₹300
5. Three-wheeler/Quadricycle/Light Motor Vehicles:
   • Non-transport: ₹600
   • Transport: ₹1,000
   • Medium goods vehicle: ₹1,000
   • Medium passenger motor vehicle: ₹1,000
   • Heavy goods vehicle: ₹1,500
   • Heavy passenger motor vehicle: ₹1,500
   • Imported motor vehicle: ₹5,000
   • Imported motorcycle: ₹2,500
   • Any other vehicle not mentioned above: ₹3,000

If you own a vehicle, you must pay road taxes at the right intervals to the government. The RTO offices of Gurgaon collect road taxes from the residents, following the structure of the Haryana road tax. Here is a summary of the taxes you need to pay in this area.

1. Road Tax for Two-Wheelers

• Up to ₹75,000: 4%
• Above ₹75,000 up to ₹2 lacs: 6%
• Above ₹2 lacs: 8%
• Sidecar and invalid carriages: Nil

2. Road Tax for Four-Wheelers in Gurgaon

Vehicle Price Range:

• Up to ₹6 lacs: 5%
• Above ₹6 lacs up to ₹20 lacs: 8%
• Above ₹20 lacs: 10%

3. Road Tax for Commercial Vehicles in Gurgaon

Seating Capacity Excluding the Driver:

• Up to three seats: 2% of the vehicle cost (one-time tax)
• Four and above (three-wheelers): ₹600 per seat per year (payable quarterly)
• Four to Six seats (four-wheelers): ₹625 per seat per year (payable quarterly)
• Seven to Twelve seats (four-wheelers): ₹1,450 per seat per year (payable quarterly)

4. Road Tax for Other State Vehicles Entering Gurgaon

Seating Capacity Excluding the Driver:

• Up to three seats: ₹25 per day
• Four to Six seats: ₹100 per day
• Seven to Twelve seats: ₹500 per day

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance while driving in Gurgaon. Per the latest rule established by the Motor Vehicles Act, third-party damages must be in your insurance policy in case of an accident. If you drive your two and three-wheeler vehicles without valid insurance, RTO offices in Gurgaon will charge you ₹1,000. 

As far as four-wheelers are concerned, the fine amount would vary from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000.

To register any new or even an old vehicle under the RTO of Gurgaon, some documents need to be produced that will authenticate the vehicle and its owner. The following is a list detailing all the documents of the vehicle required for registration:

1. Form 20 – Application for Registration of a New Vehicle

 This official form requires all the details regarding the vehicle, information about the owner, and other relevant particulars.

2. Sale Certificate (Form 21)

This is a certificate from a dealer which shows the legality of the sale and purchase of the vehicle. It indicates the buyer and seller and the date of sale.

3. Roadworthiness Certificate (Form 22)

The vehicle's manufacturer issues a road fitness certificate. It is a testament that declares the vehicle fit to be used on the roads and fulfils the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act.

4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate

It covers third-party risks at a minimum, and comprehensive insurance is also covered at the time of registration.

5. Temporary Registration Certificate (if applicable)

A temporary registration number that a dealer would have given for a vehicle should be furnished along with the permanent registration application.

6. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

This certificate certifies that the vehicle is a standard-emission vehicle and, hence, does not emit excess pollutant emissions.

7. Invoice from the Dealer

The dealer's original invoice is required to present the original purchase price and other details about the vehicle.

8. Road Tax Payment Receipt

A copy of the receipt of paying road tax should be provided at the time of registration. The amount varies with the type and worth of the vehicle.

9. Proof of Identity

One of the following documents is considered as proof of identity:

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• PAN card
• Passport
• Driving License
• Proof of Address of the Owner of the Vehicle
• Proof of Gurgaon residential address is required. Some such accepted lists of documents are:
• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• Passport
• Utility bills for electricity, water, gas
• A lease contract wherein the owner is a tenant
• Passport-size Photographs

10. Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported Vehicles)

A customs clearance certificate is required for the imported vehicle to ensure all customs and import procedures are complete.

11. PAN Card or Form 60/61

If the vehicle's value exceeds ₹50,000, a PAN card is required for all tax reasons. If this is not available, a form 60/61 can be submitted.

13. Bank NOC (if financed)

If the vehicle is purchased on loan, then a No Objection Certificate issued by the bank or financer should be received, stating no objections to registering that vehicle in his name.

In September 2024, 23-year-old biker Akshat Garg was found dead after being hit by an SUV driven by Kuldeep Thakur. The latter was seen on the wrong side of Golf Course Road. The high-speed collision was recorded on a GoPro camera. 

Thakur was arrested but later released on bail due to apprehension over the police's handling of the case and suspected political connections made by a BJP sticker on the vehicle. 

The investigation continues, but people are crying out for stricter traffic rules in the area.

Gurgaon is actively trying to improve its road safety through various campaigns and initiatives.

The DLF Foundation, in association with the GMDA, is undertaking this "Saving Lives Through Safer Roads" project to install pedestrian crossovers and improve road infrastructure.

The "Gurgaon Vision Zero" will decrease the number of traffic deaths through better road engineering, educational campaigns, and enforcement strategies, such as identifying accident-prone areas and redesigning intersections for improved safety.

For this purpose, the Raahgiri Foundation has conducted workshops for city engineers and traffic management stakeholders toward better designs for safer roads and effective traffic management. These are all collective efforts that are necessarily being pursued with Gurgaon to address a very pressing problem in the region: road safety.