With the increasing population and regular vehicular influx in Bangalore, transport systems are also developing to support the rise in mobility requirements. The Regional Transport Offices (RTO) in Bangalore address a major aspect of this growth.

These offices issue vehicle registrations and driving licences and comply with legal requirements concerning road safety. 

This guide to RTOs in Bangalore will give you detailed insights into the services offered, office locations, and procedures involved in handling vehicles in this fast-paced city.

The Regional Transport Offices (RTO) in Bangalore offer a broad range of services to manage the city’s vehicular and transportation needs. Below is an in-depth look at the key services provided by the RTOs:

1. Vehicle Registration

It is compulsory to obtain a registration number for the new car as well as for the used cars. The RTO provides the following services related to vehicle registration: 

• New Vehicle Registration: Any type of vehicle, be it a personal automobile or a commercial vehicle has to be registered with the RTO. After registration, a Registration Certificate (RC) is generated that is valid for fifteen years for personal motor vehicles and 2 years for commercial motor vehicles. 
• Required Documents: Sale receipt or sale invoice, Insurance, Address proof, Identity proof and PUC certificate. 
• Temporary and Permanent Registration: The dealers deliver the temporary registration for the new vehicles, which is valid for 1 month only. This is the time that one needs to apply for permanent registration.  
• Transfer of Ownership: When a used vehicle is bought or sold, the legal ownership of the vehicle must be transferred from the previous owner to the new one. To complete the transfer of ownership, the RTO modifies the Registration Certificate.  
• Renewal of Registration: Once the vehicle's initial registration expires, which is usually within 15 years for private vehicles, one has to renew the RC in order to legally use the vehicle. 

2. Driving Licences

The RTO categorises and provides different sorts of driving permits. These include: 

• Learner's Licence: A learner’s licence is the first licence a driver acquires after passing a test on traffic rules and signals.
• Permanent Driving Licence: Learner licence holders can apply for a driving licence after completing 30 days. To be allowed to drive, the applicant must undergo a practical test at the RTO. 
• Renewal of Driving Licence: The driving licence must be renewed after twenty years of its issuance or in case the holder of the licence attains the age of fifty years. The RTO manages this process to applicants whose licences are expiring. 
• International Driving Permit (IDP): The RTO provides International Driving Permits to those who intend to drive to other countries. The IDP is accepted in many countries and is usually issued for one year.  
• Duplicate Driving Licence: If a driving licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, the RTO provides a duplicate licence after producing the required documents. 
• Licence Endorsements and Upgrades: If a person wishes to add other vehicle classes, like upgrading from a private vehicle licence to a commercial vehicle licence, the RTO handles the endorsements. 

3. Vehicle Permits

The RTO is also responsible for controlling and providing licences for commercial vehicles. These include: 

• Commercial Vehicle Permits: Taxis, buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles require a permit to operate legally. These permits can be for local, state, or interstate operations.  
• Temporary and National Permits: Temporary permits allow a vehicle to be on the road but only for a short time or for some specific purpose. The national permit is required for vehicles in inter-state operations, for the transportation market.  

4. Road Tax Collection

Road tax is paid to the RTO when one registers his vehicle and also when he renews it. There are two types of road taxes: 

• Lifetime Road Tax: In the case of private automobiles, the lifetime tax is often paid during the registration process. The cost varies depending on the cost and category of the vehicle.  
• Annual Road Tax: Road tax for commercial use is paid annually. The tax depends on the type and size of the car.  

5. Fitness Certificate for Vehicles

Commercial vehicles must undergo some fitness tests so as to ascertain their roadworthiness. The RTO provides services related to this: 

• Issuance of Fitness Certificate: Commercial vehicles require the fitness certificate renewed annually. The vehicle undergoes safety checks to ensure it is safe on the roads.  
• Renewal of Fitness Certificate: Similar to registration, fitness certificates are also issued for a limited period, depending on the type of vehicle and usage. 

6. Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC)

It is mandatory to get a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate to make sure the vehicle meets emission standards. The RTO monitors and issues these certificates:  

• Issuance of PUC: Once a vehicle has been through an emission test, it gets a PUC certificate which is issued for a certain period of time say 6 months to a year. This makes sure that vehicles are not emitting fumes which are above permissible limits. 
• PUC Verification: The RTO carries out verifications to ensure that the vehicles on the roads have valid PUC certificates. 

7. No Objection Certificates (NOC)

The RTO grants No Objection Certificate (NO. C) when the owner of the vehicle wants to transfer the vehicle to another state or change the RTO jurisdiction. This service is essential for the legal movement of vehicles across states:  

• Transfer of Vehicle to Another State: NOC is essential when you want to permanently transfer your vehicle from one state to another. The NOC permits the registration of the automobile in the new state without interference from the initial RTO.  
• Inter-RTO Transfer: If you are planning to move your residence within the same state but in a different RTO-regulated area, you will need an NOC to transfer your vehicle. 

8. Hypothecation Services

Whenever a vehicle is bought through a loan, the financier's details are recorded in the Registration Certificate. The RTO provides the following services related to hypothecation:  

• Addition of Hypothecation: In case the vehicle is financed at the time of registration, the RTO writes down the financier’s name on the RC as hypothecation. 
• Removal of Hypothecation: After the loan has been paid, the car owner likes to have the financier’s details omitted from the RC. 

9. Enforcement and Road Safety Measures

The most important duty of the RTO is to implement traffic laws and certain road safety standards. They conduct:  

• Enforcement of Traffic Laws: The RTO has the powers to implement road safety standards and penalise people on any of the offences such as, over-speeding, drunk driving and others.
• Road Safety Awareness Programs: The RTO in combination with other government agencies conducts awareness programs on traffic laws and safe road usage to the citizens. 

These services provided by the Bangalore RTOs play an important role in maintaining the growth of the city's vehicle population and setting up standard, safe, and efficient transport systems. 

It is mandatory to pass the driving test and obtain a driving licence if you wish to drive in any part of India. The RTO offices of Bangalore are responsible for conducting such tests. They then provide the following types of driving licence to the residents. 

• Learner’s Licence

• Temporary Licence 

• Permanent Licence 

• International Licence

The RTO offices of Bangalore have a major role in registering all kinds of vehicles and providing vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs). This process is important for getting a number plate. Here are the two types of registration that are done in Bangalore.

1. Temporary Registration

Temporary registration is a number plate that is initially assigned to a car before a permanent one is assigned to it. The dealer usually provides this when one buys a car as the owner awaits the process of acquiring a permanent registration.  

Key Points:

• Validity: Temporary registration usually lasts one month from the time it is registered. 
• Purpose: It enables the owner to legally operate the car pending the time he will have registered it permanently. 
• Issuing Authority: Usually, it is provided by the dealer where the car is purchased, but it is also available at the RTO. 

In case the permanent registration has not been done within the validity period of the temporary registration, an extension may be made with the RTO, but it is often done for a limited time and under certain conditions only. 

2. Permanent Registration

Permanent registration is required for every vehicle in India and generally lasts for 15 years for personal and 2 years for commercial vehicles. However, a new vehicle owner can legally drive on road after registering for permanent registration.  

Key Points: 

• Application Timeline: The permanent registration should be applied within the period of validity of the temporary registration. 
• Registration Certificate (RC): Upon registration, the RTO supplies a Registration Certificate (RC) that proves ownership and must be produced while driving the automobile. 
• Validity: For private vehicles the registration may be for 15 years with registration to be renewed every 5 years. 

In the case of commercial vehicles, the registration lasts for a term of 2 years and entails a constant renewal. 

The permanent registration is mandatory and any delay to register your vehicle may lead to penalties or fines being imposed.

The RTO offices in Bangalore issue several types of number plates to identify the category of registration. 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

While registering new vehicles, the RTO offices charge registration fees from the vehicle owners. In Bangalore, you have to pay the following registration charges. 

• Two-wheelers: ₹300

• Three-wheelers: ₹600 for non-transport and ₹1000 for transport 

• Four-wheelers and LMVs: ₹600 for non-transport and ₹1000 for transport

• Medium goods motor vehicle and medium passenger motor vehicle: ₹1000

• Heavy goods motor vehicle and heavy passenger motor vehicle: ₹1500

• Imported cars: ₹5000

• Imported bikes: ₹2500

• Other vehicles: ₹3000

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

For Two-wheelers

• 10% of the price for new vehicles that cost less than ₹50000

• 12% of the price for new vehicles that cost more than ₹50000

• 4% of the cost of electric vehicles

• 73%-93% for vehicles less than five years old 

• 49%-69% for vehicles about 5-10 years old 

• 45%-25% for vehicles about 10-15 years old

For Four-wheelers

• 13% of the price for new vehicles that cost less than ₹5 lakh

• 14% of the price for new vehicles that cost about ₹5-₹10 lakh

• 17% of the price for new vehicles that cost about ₹10-₹20 lakh

• 18% of the price for new vehicles that cost more than ₹20 lakh

• 4% of the price for electric vehicles

• 75%-93% for vehicles less than five years old 

• 49%-69% for vehicles 5-10 years old

• 45%-25% for vehicles 10-15 years old

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance while driving in Bangalore. It is a new rule under Motor Vehicles Act, and your insurance policy must cover third-party damages during an accident. If you drive a vehicle without purchasing its insurance, the RTO offices of Bangalore can charge a fine of ₹1000 for two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which increases to ₹2000-₹4000 for four-wheelers. 

While registering the new or used vehicle at the Regional Transport Office in Bangalore one must submit the following documents for registration. They assist in establishing the authenticity of the vehicle and the owner. 

Below is a comprehensive list of documents required for vehicle registration:

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

This is the official form you will need to complete in order to register your vehicle. It contains information about the vehicle, its owner and any other relevant information.

2. Sale Certificate (Form 21)

This certificate is issued by the vehicle dealer to avail an assurance that the vehicle was bought legally. It contains information about the date of purchase, the buyer and the seller.

3. Roadworthiness Certificate (Form 22)

This is a legal certificate given by the manufacturer of the vehicle to certify that the vehicle is fit to be driven on the roads and complies with the stipulations of the Law of the Motor Vehicles.

4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate

A vehicle insurance policy is compulsory at the time of registration for a vehicle. It must include third-party risks, at the very least, as stipulated by the law. Comprehensive insurance can also be provided.

5. Temporary Registration Certificate (where necessary)

In case the dealer has already assigned the vehicle a temporary registration number, this must be included in the application for permanent registration.

6. PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate)

Pollution Under Control or PUC certificate is a document that confirms that the vehicles are compliant with emission standards and are roadworthy without emitting excessive pollutants.

7. Invoice from the Dealer

Original purchase invoice from the dealer is necessary to prove the price and other features of the purchased vehicle.

8. Road Tax Payment Receipt

Road tax payment is required at the time of registration of vehicles. The amount of the deposit depends on the type of the vehicle and its cost. A receipt for payment of road tax must be produced.

9. Identification of the Physical Person Behind the Vehicle

One of the following documents can be submitted as proof of identity: 

•  Aadhaar card 
•  Voter ID card 
•  PAN card 
•  Passport 
•  Driving licence 

10. Address Proof of the Vehicle Owner

You must submit proof of your residential address in Bangalore. Acceptable documents include: 

• Aadhaar card 
• Voter ID card 
• Passport 
• Utility bills (electricity, water, gas) which the owner pays 
• Lease contract (if renting a residence) 

11. Passport-Size Photographs

The applicant must submit recent passport-sized photographs for documentation.

12. Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported Vehicles)

If the vehicle is imported, it is necessary to have a customs clearance certificate, which indicates that all customs and import procedures have been completed.

13. PAN Card or Form 60/61

If the cost of the vehicle is more than ₹50,000, you need to produce your PAN card details for tax. If you do not have a PAN card, you can attach Form 60/61.

14. Bank NOC (if financed)

If the vehicle is bought using a loan, one must procure an NOC issued by the bank or any other financer. This document deduces that the financier has no objections to the vehicle being registered in the owner’s name.

In 2024, Bangalore continued to face significant traffic congestion challenges. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Bangalore was ranked as the 18th most congested city globally. The average time spent on the bus to travel 10 kilometres was 28 minutes and 57 seconds in Bangalore.

Heavy rains on the 9th of August, 2024 resulted in water logging at the Hebbal flyover down ramp thus traffic towards the Bengaluru Airport was congested. The Bengaluru Traffic Police have been promptly updating the situation and urging people to be more careful.

On the 8th of August 2024, a vehicle malfunction close to the Varthur Police Station led to traffic congestion in the direction of Gunjur. This was resolved quickly, although it resulted in temporary traffic jam. Ina commendable act, a policeman filled up a dangerous pothole at the HSBC Junction on BG Road, ensuring smooth traffic and public safety.

The Karnataka state government is concerned about the issues of traffic jams and road accidents occurring in Bangalore. There has been a reliance on road safety campaigns to help generate awareness among the citizens regarding the right ways to drive safely and maintain smooth traffic. Here are some of the latest road safety campaigns in this area. 

• Road Safety Awareness Campaign by a bike-taxi aggregator

• Swarakshane campaign by a resident 

• Road Safety Week Campaign by Namma Bengaluru Foundation 

• Road Safety Awareness Program by Aahwahan Foundation

• Safety Sarathy by ISBR Business School and LetsTagOn Foundation