Kolhapur is a tier-2 city known for its rich cultural heritage. It is one of the significant cities located in South Maharashtra and is a hub of religious, historical and cultural activities enhancing commercialisation. Kolhapur operates under the Government of Maharashtra Ministry of Road Transport and its RTO code is MH09

The several functions of the RTO office in Kolhapur are:

• Issue Tourist Motor Vehicle Permit
• Provide National Permit or Tourist Permit Authorisation
• Issue Permit of Goods Carriage
• Write Lading Bills
• Issue/Renew Driving Licence
• Issue Registration Certificate (Temporary/Permanent) 
• Vehicle RC Renewal
• Change Address on Registration Certificate
• Provide NOC for Vehicle
• Carry Road Tax Collection
• Issue Duplicate Driving Licence/Learner’s Licence/International Licence
• Lead Vehicle’s Mechanical Inspection
• Renew Registration Certificate
• Transfer Vehicle Ownership

RTO Kolhapur ensures specific types of driving licences to vehicle owners, divided as:

• Commercial Driving Licence for light motor vehicle 
• International Driving Licence
• Light motor vehicle (LMV) licence
• All India driving permit
• Heavy trailer licence

Additionally, RTO Kolhapur also issues two-wheeler licences and two-wheeler licence without gears.

The 2 types of  vehicle registration certificate, offered by RTO Kolhapur are:

1. Permanent Registration

2. Temporary Registration 

After completing the process of vehicle registration, this is what you require to do:

• You receive a registration number 

• Install this number on your vehicle’s permanent number plate

Vehicle registration charges start from a minimum amount of ₹600. However, the other charges include:

• State Development Charges and Parking Charges: ₹2000 to ₹4000
• Hypothecation Charges: ₹1500 (if your car is purchased on loan)
• Number Plate Charges: ₹230 - ₹400, similar to HSRP number plate
• Temporary Registration Charges: ₹1200 - ₹1500, till 1 month
• Road Tax Charges: 7% to 13% (cars under ₹10 lakh); 12% to 14% (cars between ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh)

Kolhapur follows the Maharashtra road tax, which are as follows:

• For Four-wheelers: 11% to 15% of vehicle cost
• For CNG/LPG-driven vehicles: 7% to 9% of vehicle cost
• For Two-Wheelers: 10% to 12% of vehicle cost

One must adhere to the guidelines implemented by the government on road rules. Failing to follow will attract traffic fines in Kolhapur which will lead to hefty fines.

Below is a list of offences and the fines you might face while driving:

• Rash/Dangerous driving: ₹1000 - ₹5000 and/or imprisonment from 6 months - 1 year
• Riding vehicles without wearing a helmet: ₹1000 and/or community service for 3 months or/and licence disqualification
• Ignoring seatbelts: ₹1000
• Using a mobile: ₹5000
• Driving with no licence: ₹5000/community service
• Speeding/Racing on streets: For first-time offenders, ₹5000 fine, community service and/or imprisonment of 3 months. For repeat offenders, the penalty rises to ₹10000 and/or imprisonment of up to 1 year

Yes, it is mandatory to have a motor insurance or comprehensive insurance while driving on the streets of Kolhapur. Failing to adhere to this will eventually lead to the payment of fines of ₹2000 to ₹4000. Repetition of such offences might lead to severe consequences.

To enhance transparency, RTO Kolhapur has taken the wonderful initiative of introducing faceless services. These include:

1. Issue no objection certificate
2. Change of address on the licence
3. Renewal of your driving licence
4. Furnish secondary registration certificate
5. Change of address on the registration certificate
6. Renewal of licence

As per recent news, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways laid the foundation stone of the 'basket bridge' entrance to Kolhapur. This bridge will aim to provide a spacious flyover entry into the city from the Pune Bengaluru NH48. It will resolve the routine traffic congestion and also prevent Kolhapur from getting disconnected from the rest of the places during major floods.

Moreover, another news confirms that the State Government is also planning to sanction funds to build concrete roads in certain flood-prone areas of Kolhapur. It will prevent frequent damage and repetitive construction.

As per the news, Road Safety Week in Kolhapur is organised by the Ministry of Road Transport, every year in January. This programme related to road safety enlightens people on road safety, driving rules and cautions.

Besides, Kolhapur already has a traffic park, which is a big hit amongst children. It is designed in a way that gives an insight into traffic guidelines as one enters the park and educates people about traffic rules and regulations.