Located in the western peninsular region of India, Maharashtra is a large part of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is one of the most urbanised and second most industrialised states in India. The large-scale migration of masses to the state for employment opportunities has gradually contributed to the rise of population and traffic congestion. 

There are nearly 50 RTOs in Maharashtra, which are responsible for monitoring activities related to travel, vehicles, registration, licence, tourist permit, etc. Knowing about the RTO functions and activities can be beneficial if you are a resident of Maharashtra.

What is the Website for Maharashtra RTO?

For assistance on details related to vehicles or RTO services provided in Maharashtra, click on the link below.

Maharashtra RTO Website: https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in/1035/Home

The functions of RTO Maharashtra are as follows:

• Granting motor vehicle registration certificates

• Issuing and renewing a driving licence

• Checking the mechanical fitness of vehicles

• Checking pollution and providing pollution certificates

• Collecting Motor Vehicle Tax or Road Tax

• Issuing the No Objection Certificate (NOC)

• Approving applications for a special permit 

• Conducting road safety campaigns

Here are the different types of driving licences issued in Maharashtra RTO. 

1. Learner’s Licence

2. Permanent Driving Licence

3. Commercial Driving Licence

4. International Driving Permit

There are usually two types of vehicle registration in Maharashtra. These are as follows. 

1. Temporary Registration 

2. Permanent registration

In Maharashtra, Form 20 is used for registering vehicles. Form 26 is used for registered vehicles to transfer vehicle ownership from one state to another. Maharashtra RTO provides a registration certificate after registering a vehicle, which is valid for about 15 years.

After registration, a vehicle gets a legal number plate. Here are the different types of number plates that the Maharashtra RTO offers:

• White number plate

• Yellow number plate

• Green number plate

• Red number plate

• Blue number plate

• Black number plate

• Red number plate with the emblem of India

• Number plate with an upward-pointing arrow

Maharashtra RTO is responsible for issuing registration certificates (RCs) for vehicles. Here are the types of RCs they offer:

• Permanent RC

• Duplicate RC

• Temporary RC

As a resident of Maharashtra, you must pay a certain charge to the state government while registering your vehicle. Here are the registration charges in Maharashtra:

• New Registration Charge: ₹600 (for all cars)

• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500 (if purchased on credit)

• Number Plate Charges: ₹230-₹400

• Parking Fee: ₹2000 (for cars under ₹4 lakh) to ₹4000 (for cars above ₹4 lakh)

• Temporary Registration Charges: ₹1200-₹1500 (for up to a month)

• Road Tax Fees for cars under ₹10 lakh: 7% (CNG), 11% (Petrol), 13% (Diesel)

• Road Tax Fees for cars between ₹10-₹20 lakh: 12% (Petrol), 14% (Diesel)

• Road Tax Fees for cars over ₹20 lakh: 13% (Petrol), 15% (Diesel)

The Maharashtra Road Tax is collected separately for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The first-time registration amount is high, and after that, the owner needs to pay just the tax amount. Some details of Maharashtra road tax are listed below.

For Two-wheelers

• 10% - 12% of the cost of the vehicle for first-time registration 

• 32% - 95% after registration for two-wheelers aged 12 years or more

For Four-wheelers

• ₹200 - ₹1800 for buses

• 7% - 9% of the vehicle’s price for LPG or CNG vehicle 

• 11% - 13% of the value of the price for petrol vehicles 

• 13% - 15% of the value of the price for diesel vehicles

• 27% - 91% after registration up to 17 years or more

The Indian Government allows the residents of Maharashtra to check such details through the official Parivahan website. You can also use the Digit App to find the vehicle owner's details by registration number. This process is faster and easier, as you simply need to enter the registration number and generate the vehicle owner's details.

It is mandatory to know and follow traffic rules when driving on the streets of Maharashtra. Here are a few major rules you must follow here. 

• Make sure to register your vehicle.

• Own a car insurance policy.

• Wear a seatbelt or helmet when driving or riding.

• Maintain the set speed limits while driving.

• Avoid using your mobile phone while driving. 

• Carry your driving licence and insurance documents.

• Avoid drinking if you are about to drive.

• Make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy.

The Mumbai state government imposes strict rules and penalties for violation of traffic rules. Thus, if you fail to follow these rules, you can face a wide range of penalties, including monetary fines and even imprisonment. Here are some of the most common Maharashtra traffic fines that you might face while driving.

• Driving without a driver’s licence: ₹5000

• Using phones while driving: ₹5000

• Drunken driving: ₹10000 and/or 6 months of prison (for the first time), ₹15000 and/or 2 years of prison (if more than once)

• Driving a car without insurance: ₹2000 and/or 3 months of prison (for the first time), ₹4000 and/or three months of prison (if more than once)

• Using horns in a silent zone: ₹2000 (for the first time), ₹4000 (if more than once)

• Rash driving: ₹3000 (for the first time), ₹10000 (if more than once)

• Minors driving a car: ₹25000 and three years of imprisonment, car registration cancelled for a year 

Recent reports reveal a revision in the traffic fines in Maharashtra. This has increased the current rate of penalties and fines for traffic violations. Moreover, there has been an inclination to reduce pollution by ensuring cars have their pollution certificates. 

Yes, it is mandatory to have a motor insurance as per law across India. Maharashtra is no exception here. If individuals are caught driving without an insurance policy, there can be strict penalties. It starts from ₹2000 and/or 3 months of prison (for the first time), which can increase to ₹4000 and/or three months of prison (if more than once).

A vehicle insurance policy can provide multiple benefits to the vehicle owner, which makes it highly necessary to own one. With the growing traffic in Maharashtra, accidents have also increased. Car insurance can be beneficial in such cases. 

Here are some of its benefits:

• Provides compensation for third-party damages 

• Offers personal accident coverage  

• Provides coverage in case of earthquakes, theft, road accidents, etc.

• Offers benefits to the families of deceased people due to road accidents

Traffic congestion has been on the rise in Maharashtra, which has increased the problems of driving or mobility here. Mumbai has become the fifth-most congested city globally, while Pune continues to feature in the TomTom Traffic Index’s global list . As per a recent report, the current CM, Eknath Shinde, is planning to build a flyover near Katraj. It is expected to resolve the issue of regular traffic congestion. 

According to a report, traffic police in Maharashtra collected over ₹57.15 crores from more than 11 lakh motorists in 2022. The collection of traffic fines was done through e-challans. According to other recent data, there were over 31,458 road accidents in 2022, where 8,068 people were killed, and the rest were injured badly. 

However, another report points out that there has been a 30% drop in the number of accidental deaths. This shows an improvement in traffic-related activities here.

The state government of Maharashtra has decided to come up with a faceless service, aiming to cut 70% of the queues across RTO offices. Here are the main services that the faceless initiative offers:

• Issuing No Objection Certificate 

• Changing the address on the Registration Certificate 

• Issuing Driving Licence 

• Renewing Driving Licence 

• Changing address on Driving Licence

• Issuing Secondary or Duplicate Registration Certificate

This initiative is likely to save much time and effort for both the residents and the employees of RTO. It will be beneficial to ensure that the residents can utilise such services from any part of the world. 

Maharashtra State Government has been instrumental in handling traffic congestion and road accidents. The following campaigns recently took place here to contribute to this initiative. 

• Road Safety Mission 2023: Launched in Mumbai, this campaign will help students and motorists learn all about traffic rules while repairing accident-prone sites. 

• Walk on the Right: This is a recent campaign launched in Nanded, which encourages pedestrians to walk on the right side of the road if there are no footpaths. 

• Highway Manners: This campaign includes a wide range of educational activities and encouragement drives regarding road safety.