Dakshina Kannada is a district having its headquarters in the coastal city of Mangalore. There are two regional transport offices in Dakshina Kannada: KA-21 Puttur and KA-62 Surathakal. These two RTO offices are responsible for monitoring several transport-related activities in this district.

These are some key functions carried out by the RTOs in Dakshina Kannada:

• Issues vehicle registration certificates

• Renew vehicle registration

• Address change in registration

• Renew vehicle fitness certificate

• Transfer vehicle ownership 

• Issues a NOC for vehicles

• Provides a duplicate registration certificate

• Issue trade certificate

• Renew trade certificate

Here are all the types of driving licences in India you can get at the Dakshina Kannada RTO: 

• MC 50CC: Licence for motorcycles with a cubic capacity of 50cc.

• LMV-NT: Licence for light motor vehicles like jeeps and motor cars.

• MC EX50CC: Licence for motorcycles with a cubic capacity of 50CC or more.

• MCWG: Licence for motorcycles both with and without gear.

• HGMV: Licence for heavy goods motor vehicles like trailers, and larger trucks.

• HPMV: Licence for heavy passenger motor vehicles that run for commercial purposes.

• MGV: Licence for medium goods vehicles.

• HMV: Licence for heavy motor vehicles.

These are the vehicle registration you can avail at the KA-21 Puttur and KA-62 Surathkal RTO offices in Dakshina Kannada. 

• Permanent vehicle registration

• Temporary vehicle registration

• Commercial vehicle registration

After the application and successful registration at the RTO offices in Dakshina Kannada, you will receive a vehicle registration certificate and a number plate which is going to have the registration number (KA21XXXX). 

Vehicle registration charges in Dakshina Kannada include:

• Hypothecation charges of a vehicle purchased on loan: ₹1500

• Charge for registration of a vehicle: ₹600 for all kinds of cars

• State development charges: ₹2000-₹4000 

• Charge for a number plate: ₹230-₹400 (It is the same for an HSRP number plate)

• Charge for a temporary registration: ₹1200-₹ 1500 

Road tax in Dakshina Kannada is dependent on the cost of a vehicle and the age. Here is a list of the rates of Karnataka Road Tax:

• Road tax rate for electric vehicles: 4% of the vehicle’s price.

• Road tax rate for new two-wheeler vehicles:  10%-12% of the vehicle’s price.

• Tax rate for an old two-wheeler vehicle:  25%-93% of the road tax payable depending upon the age of the vehicle.

• The road tax rate for a four-wheeler car: 13%-18% of the vehicle’s price.

• Road tax rate for an old four-wheeler vehicle: 25%-93% of the vehicle’s price.

If you do not oblige with the traffic rules in Dakshina Kannada you will have to pay a hefty amount as a traffic fine in Dakshina Kannada. Here are the details of traffic fine rates: 

• Minor driving a vehicle: ₹5000

• Driving without a proper permit: Court fine

• Dangerous driving: ₹1000

• Drunk driving: Court fine

• Driving without insurance: ₹1000

• Honking in silence zones: ₹500 

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance when driving a vehicle in Dakshina Kannada. Driving a vehicle without insurance is a traffic violation. It is a violation in Dakshina Kannada and all the other parts of the country. Travelling without it could lead to paying a hefty amount as a fine.

If you are caught without insurance you will be fined ₹1000 for the first offence and ₹4000 for any subsequent offence.

In a report of August 2022, Dakshina Kannada Traffic Police imposed an order stating that male pillion riders of age 18-60 cannot be allowed to ride in the city between 6 pm and 6 am. The order drew immense criticism leading to three killings in the district in ten days. 

Since the incidents, the order has been withdrawn "in the public interest". The district police have installed 19 check posts to keep a check on vehicle movement in the area.