Kurukshetra is a popular urban city in Haryana. It is mostly famous for being known as a setting of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Since this city also experiences pilgrimage rush at regular intervals, it becomes the sole responsibility of the Regional Transport Office to oversee all regulations concerning transportation. 

There are two RTOs in the city, identified by their respective codes, HR 07, and HR 65.

These RTOs in Kurukshetra have several functions, as stated by the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. 

• Collecting road tax and motor vehicle tax

• Issuing driving licences and other motor vehicle permits

• Conducting tests and issuing vehicle fitness certificate

• Providing vehicle registration certificate

• Renewing vehicle registration certificate

• Authorising inter-state and national transportation permits

Kurukshetra RTOs issue multiple types of driving licence:

• Learner’s Licence

• Permanent Driving Licence

• Commercial Driving Licence

• International Driving Licence

One can avail two types of vehicle registration certificate in Kurukshetra.

• Permanent Vehicle Registration

• Temporary Vehicle Registration

The Transport Department of Haryana has applied uniform vehicle registration fees throughout the state. Hence the RTO in Kurukshetra follows the registration charges as per RTO in Haryana.

• Two-wheelers: ₹300

• Invalid Carriages: ₹50

• Light Motor Vehicles: ₹600- ₹1000

• Medium Motor Vehicles: ₹1000

• Heavy Motor Vehicles: ₹1500

Every registered vehicle owner needs to pay Haryana road tax for contributing towards roads infrastructure, construction and maintenance of roads, etc. The percentage of road tax amount increases/decreases in proportion to the price of the vehicle. 

• Two-wheelers: 4% to 8% of the vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers: 5% to 10% of the vehicle cost

• Commercial vehicles: ₹600 to ₹1450 per quarterly depending on the type/cost of the vehicle

In case any individual disobeys the traffic rules in Kurukshetra, they have to pay fines for their offences. Besides these traffic fines, there can be other forms of penalty like seizing of your licence and sometimes imprisonment.

• Driving without a valid licence: ₹5000

• Violating load projection: ₹10000

• Dangerous driving: ₹5000 for the first time, ₹10000 for a subsequent crime

• Disobeying orders from a police officer: ₹2000

• Not following air pollution standards: ₹10000

• Triple riding on a two-wheeler: ₹1000

The Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 states it is mandatory to have motor insurance. Driving without insurance can lead to severe consequences. In India, this is compulsory because of the number of road accidents that occur on a daily basis.

A news covered an incident a few months ago, where a farmer’s protest caused a massive traffic jam. They blocked the highway near Shahabad in Kurukshetra to express their grievances against the delay in purchasing their produce. These farmers were agitated because they had no place to store the produce and they had asked the state government to advance their date of procurement.

In 2022, 168 people lost their lives in road accidents till 31st August. In addition, 357 were injured in 348 road accidents. Another news report highlights the fact that there was a drastic increase in the accident rate as compared to last year. The police department clarified they would increase the number of traffic wings especially, for highways and city areas.

An article about a road safety campaign taken by Honda was published to re-emphasise road safety rules. This three-day camp was organised at B.R. International Public School, Kurukshetra. More than 2000 students and staff participated in the campaign. HMSI's road safety instructors introduced appropriate road safety learning programs for enhancing awareness among all.