Kasaragod, also known as Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi (The Land of Seven Languages), is a municipal town and administrative district in Kerala. The residents of this district get their vehicle registration certificate, fitness certificate and other relevant documents from the Kasaragod RTO. 

The district has an RTO registered under the code KL-14 that enforces rules and regulations discussed in the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.

Kasaragod RTO provides several services to the people, including:

• Collect road taxes

• Undertake vehicle inspection

• Issue and renew driving licence

• Conduct traffic awareness campaigns

• Provide vehicle permits or certificates

• Transfer vehicle registration certificate

• Issue and renew vehicle registration certificates

• Provide PUC certificate

• Conduct vehicle fitness tests

Kasaragod RTO is responsible for issuing different types of driving licence, such as:

• Permanent Licence

• Commercial Driving Licence

• International Driving Licence

• Learner’s Permit

After purchasing a vehicle, the registration is the first thing the owner should do. There are 2 types of vehicle registration certificate the Kasaragod RTO offers: 

• Permanent Registration

• Temporary Registration 

The RTO officials check the documents of the applicants to provide a unique registration number to the vehicle owner.

Registration of a vehicle involves multiple types of charges. Here is a list of all the vehicle registration charges of Kasaragod RTO: 

• Registration Charges: ₹600 (for all cars)

• Number Plate Charges (and HSRP Number Plates): ₹230 to ₹400

• Hypothecation Charges (if the vehicle is purchased on a loan): ₹1500

• State Development Charges or Parking Fee: ₹2000 (if the car is under ₹4 Lakhs) to ₹4000 (if the car is above ₹4 Lakhs)

• Temporary Registration Charges (up to 1 month): ₹1500 to ₹2500

• FasTag Charges: ₹500 to ₹600

Kasaragod RTO follows the Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation Act of 1976. According to this act, every individual having a vehicle is liable to pay Kerala road taxes: 

Two-wheelers:

• New Motorcycle: 6% of the purchase value

Four-wheelers:

• Below ₹5 Lakhs: 6% of the purchase value

• Within ₹5 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs: 8% to 15% of the purchase value

• More than ₹20 Lakhs: 20% of the purchase value

• Engine Capacity Under 1500 Cc (Within ₹20 Lakhs): 6% of the purchase value

• Engine Capacity Within 1500 Cc (Above ₹20 Lakhs): 20% of the purchase value

Vehicles from Other Indian States:

• Up to 1 Year: 6% of the purchase value

• Up to 1 Year and 5 Years: 5.58% to 4.38% of the purchase value

• Within 5 Years and 10 Years: 4.02% to 2.40% of the purchase value

• Above 10 Years and Below 15 Years: 1.98% to 0.24% of the purchase value

Violation of traffic rules is subject to penalties as per the provisions of the Road Rules and Regulations. Here are the most occurring traffic fines in Kerala followed in Kasaragod are: 

• Driving without a Licence: ₹5000 or/and community service

• Using Mobile while Driving: ₹5000

• Unauthorized Use of Vehicles Without Licence: ₹1000 to ₹5000

• Driving or Riding with No Seat Belt on: ₹1000 and/or community service

• Over-Speeding: ₹1000 to ₹2000 (LMV) and ₹2000 to ₹4000 (MPV or HPV) along with licence disqualification

• Driving or Riding with no Helmet on: ₹1000 and or licence disqualification and community service for 3 months

• Overloaded Two-Wheelers: ₹2,000 and licence disqualification and/or 3 months of community service

• Blocking Emergency Vehicles: ₹10000 or/and community service

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance while driving in Kasaragod. If someone gets caught without insurance while driving on the streets, the person has to pay a ₹2000 fine for the first violation. Moreover, if that person is caught for the second time the fine will be ₹4000 for repetitive offence.

The growing rate of motorisation has compounded the unprecedented rate of road accidents in India. On this note a report says, Kerala has faced 1122 accidents as of 2022. According to the news, Muhammed Fazil Thabsheer (22) died after being crushed under KSRTC bus tyres in Kasaragod at MG Road near the old bus stand.

Another news report confirms the fatalities of 3 people including 2 college students. Their motorcycle collided with a bus at Miyapadavu in Meenja grama panchayat, Kasaragod.

After receiving so many reports of accidents, people here are taking several road safety measures in Kasaragod. 40 artificial intelligence cameras have been installed to detect traffic violations on the streets of this district. 

These cameras have been operating all the time since 20 April 2023. Moreover, the control room of the AI cameras is situated in the Enforcement Office of the Motor Vehicle Department in Kasaragod.