Tumkur, renamed Tumakuru, is a city situated in the southern part of Karnataka. The economy of the city is dependent on agricultural products and industries. Its proximity to Bangalore and highways like NH-69, NH-73 and NH-48 have contributed to enhancing transportation in the city. The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) established in Tumkur maintain the development of roads so that transportation is not hindered and provide other transport-related services.

Tumkur RTOs perform the following functions:

• Issues vehicle permits

• Issues International Driving Permit (IDP)

• Transfers ownership of vehicles

• Issues No Objection Certificates (NOC) for vehicle registration in another state

• Conducts driving tests for issuing driver’s licences.

• Registration and renewal of the registration certificates of vehicles.

RTOs are responsible for offering driving licences to the residents. Here are the different types of driving licences issued by Tumkur RTOs:

• Driver’s licence

• Learner’s licence

• Two-wheeler licence

• Licence for a Motor vehicle without gears

• Licence for a Motor vehicle with gears

• Licence for Light motor vehicles for transport purposes

• Licence for Light motor vehicles for non-transport purposes

• Heavy goods vehicle licence

• Heavy trailer licence

• Open licence for heavy passenger motor vehicles.

Types of vehicle registrations available at Tumkur RTO:

• Temporary Registration

• Permanent Registration

Once you purchase a new vehicle, it is mandatory to get a legal registration from the local RTO. Charges while registering your vehicle at Tumkur RTO are listed below:

• Registration Charges: ₹600 for all cars

• Temporary Registration Charges: ₹1200- ₹1500

• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500 

• Number Plate Charges: ₹230- ₹400

• State Development Charges: ₹2000-₹4000

The fee of a duplication registration certificate is half the amount of the registration of the vehicle.

The road tax levied by Tumkur RTO follows the Karnataka Road Tax structure. In Karnataka, the tax amount remains the same for both private and commercial vehicles.

• Two-wheelers under ₹5000: 10% of vehicle cost

• Two-wheelers between ₹5000-₹100000: 12% of vehicle cost

• Two-wheelers over ₹100000: 18% of vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers under₹5 lakhs: 13% of vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers between ₹5 lakhs-₹10 lakhs: 14% of vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers between ₹10 lakhs-₹20 lakhs: 17% of vehicle cost

• Four-wheelers over ₹20 lakhs: 18% of vehicle cost

Below are traffic fines in Karnataka for various traffic rules violation:

• Driving an unregistered vehicle:₹2000 for two-wheelers and three-wheelers, ₹3000 for four-wheelers and LMV, ₹5000 for others 

• Blocking emergency vehicles: ₹1000

• One-Way Offence: ₹500

• Over Speeding: ₹1000-₹2000

• Driving Under Influence: ₹10000

In India, it is mandatory to have a motor insurance policy while driving. You must have third-party insurance for your vehicle. Tumkur RTO will charge a fine of ₹2000 for the first offence, and ₹4000, for the second time if they catch you driving an uninsured vehicle.

Following are a few traffic recent traffic events in Tumkur:

• A report reveals that Bengaluru was the host of the India Energy Week 2023 and there were a lot of traffic restrictions imposed on the citizens. Vehicles on NH-48 were diverted right onto Sondekoppa road and vehicles coming from Bellary road towards Tumkur were diverted onto Doddaballapur road to reach Tumkur.

• Another report shows that the traffic police department of Bengaluru issued an advisory about roads restricted for vehicular transport for the 76th Independence Day in India. Among various roads, the Tumkur road was closed from 8 am to 12 pm on 15th August in2022.

• In a recent horrific accident in Tumkur in 2022, nine lives were lost including three children while fifteen people were injured. According to reports, this incident took place when a multi-utility van tried to overtake a lorry.

Road awareness programs in Tumkur are as follows:

• National Road Safety Month 

In 2021, a television actor named Rakksh took part in a campaign called national road safety month in Tumkur. The Assistant Commissioner of Police invited the actor to reach the maximum number of people to appeal to them about the necessity of following traffic rules.