Uttara Kannada is one of the largest districts in Karnataka and comprises dense natural forests and abundant flora and fauna. The district of Uttara Kannada has two regional transport offices: KA-47 Honnavara and KA-31 Sirsi. 

Due to its large land area cover and distinct geographical features, RTO offices in Uttara Kannada manage safe and smooth traffic flow in the district. In this article, you will learn about every provision and function of the RTO offices in Uttara Kannada.

RTO offices in Uttara Kannada are responsible to perform these actions:

• Issuing driving licences

• Offering vehicle registration services

• Collection of road tax

• Issuing motor vehicle permits 

• Implementing road safety measures

• Undertaking measures to control pollution and issuing PUC certificates

There are mainly four types of driving licence that Uttara Kannada RTO issues:

• An international driving licence to drive a motor vehicle in a foreign land.

• A commercial driving licence to drive a commercial motor vehicle in India.

• A permanent driving licence to drive any kind of personal motor vehicle in India.

• A learner’s licence is a type of driving licence that is valid for 6 months. In this period you can polish your driving skills within this time frame.

KA-47 Honnavara and KA-31 Sirsi, the RTO offices in Uttara Kannada offer three types of vehicle registration:

• Permanent vehicle registration

• Temporary vehicle registration

• Commercial vehicle registration

The RTO offices in Uttara Kannada offer a number plate and a vehicle registration certificate after the successful registration of the vehicle.

Here is a list of vehicle registration charges applicable at the RTO offices in Uttara Kannada:

• Registration fees: ₹600 paid by the applicant

• Hypothecation Charges for cars purchased on a loan: ₹1500 

• State development charges or parking charges: ₹2000-4000 depending on the vehicle’s price.

• Temporary registration charge for a vehicle: ₹1200-1500 valid for a single month. 

• FasTag Charges for a vehicle: ₹600 to be paid during the purchase of the vehicle.

Road tax in Uttara Kannada is based on Karnataka road tax. It varies depending on the age of the vehicle. If it is a new vehicle the road tax is levied upon the vehicle’s price and if it is an old vehicle you will have to pay a percentage of the applicable road tax.

• A new bike that costs up to ₹50000: 10% of its price as road tax. 

• Two-wheeler motor vehicles that cost more than ₹50000: Road tax for a vehicle such as this could cost up to 12% of a vehicle’s price.

• Old two-wheeler less than 5 Years old: The effective range of tax rate is between 75%-93% of the payable amount depending on the vehicle’s age.

• Bikes aged between 5-10 years: The effective range of road tax is between 49%-69% of the payable amount depending on the vehicle’s age.

• Motorcycles aged between 10-15 years: The effective range of road tax is between 25%-45% of the payable amount depending on the vehicle’s age.

• New cars within ₹5 Lakh: 13% of a car’s price as road tax.

• Car priced within ₹10 Lakh: 14% of a car’s price as road tax.

• Four-wheeler motor vehicles priced under ₹20 Lakh: 17% of the vehicle’s price as road tax.

• Old four-wheeler less than 5 Years old: The effective range of tax rate is between 75%-93% of the payable amount depending on the vehicle's age.

• Cars aged between 5-10 years: The effective range of road tax is between 49%-69% of the payable amount depending on the vehicle's age.

• Old cars aged between 10 and 15 Years – The effective range of road tax is between 25%-45% of the payable amount depending on the age of the vehicle.

It is compulsory to follow traffic rules in Uttara Kannada. If you do not follow traffic rules in Uttara Kannada and get caught by the police. You will be charged depending on the violation committed. Uttara Kannada follows the traffic rules and fines of Karnataka Transport Department. Here is a list of the traffic fines in Karnataka:

• Driving while holding a mobile phone: ₹1000

• Riding a helmet: ₹500

• Parking the vehicle in a no-parking zone: ₹1000

• Driving without a permit in an unauthorised area: Fined by the court

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance when driving or riding in Uttara Kannada. If you do not have comprehensive or third-party insurance while driving a vehicle and the police catch you, you will be fined an amount upwards of ₹1000.

Last January a group of men and women in the coastal village of Honnavar protested the construction of a road on Kasargod-Tonka beach. In the report, it is mentioned that the road was threatening the livelihood of the village and impacting the biodiversity of the area.

It was also mentioned in the report that the road was being constructed illegally and without valid permission.