Patiala, the four-largest metropolis of Punjab, is the administrative head of the district. Apart from being a hotspot for tourists, Patiala is recognised for its commercial flourishment. The strategic advancement of this city results in the rise of traffic movement. 

To seamlessly run its transport system, the Government of Punjab has established 5 Regional Transport Offices under the code PB-11, PB-42, PB-34, PB-72 and PB-39.

The Patiala RTO caters to all transport-oriented services. The section below reflects some of its crucial responsibilities: 

• Conduction of tests for licence applicants 

• Issuance and renewal of driving licences

• Registration of vehicles falling under its jurisdiction 

• Allocation of registration numbers and provision of temporary/permanent registration certificates

• Generation of duplicate RC in case of loss/damage of the original 

• Determination of roadworthiness of vehicles  

• Issuance of commercial permits, Trade Certificate, Fitness Certificate, and No Object Certificate

• Collection of road taxes 

• Arrangement of emission test of the vehicle to provide PUC Certificate

The RTO in Patiala offers multiple types of driving licence to its residents, these are as follows: 

• Permanent Driving Licence 

• Learner’s Licence 

• International Driving Permit

• Commercial Driving Licence

The following section comprises the types of vehicle registration available in Patiala: 

• Permanent Registration 

• Temporary Registration

Post-registration of your vehicle, you will receive a unique registration number. This number will be displayed on your number plate. 

The Transport Department of Punjab maintains uniformity in registration charges across the state. Depending on the vehicle category, the charge gets estimated. The details are as follows: 

• Invalid conveyance: ₹20 

• Motorcycles: ₹60 

• Non-commercial light motor vehicle: ₹200 

• Commercial Light Vehicle: ₹300 

• MGV/MPV: ₹400

• HPV/HGV: ₹600 

• Imported motorcycles: ₹200

• Imported other motor vehicles: ₹800

• Unlisted vehicles: ₹300

Patiala follows the tax structure of Punjab Road Tax structure throughout the state. The determination of tax depends upon the registration date, age, and category of the vehicle. The following details will help you understand better: 

For vehicles that have been registered before the amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act: 

• Two-wheelers with an unladen weight of 95 kg and below: ₹30 - ₹120 

• Two-wheelers with an unladen weight of more than 95 kg: ₹100 - ₹800 

• Three-wheelers: yearly ₹4000 for every 50 vehicles and part thereof 

• Four-wheelers with 4 to 5 seats: ₹750 - ₹2100 

• Four-wheelers with 6 seats and more: ₹1200 - ₹7500  

For vehicles that have been registered after the amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act: 

• Two-wheelers with engine capacity of 50 CC and below: 1.5% of the vehicle’s price

• Two-wheelers with engine capacity of more than 50 CC: 3% of the vehicle’s price

• Three-wheelers: yearly ₹8000 for every 50 vehicles and part thereof 

• Four-wheelers: 2% of the vehicle’s price

The traffic rules and regulations are compulsory obligations under the Motor Vehicles Act. Violation of these will lead to hefty penalties. Take a look at some of the traffic fines issued by the RTO in Patiala: 

• Driving without a valid licence: ₹5000 

• Driving with an invalid RC: ₹5000 - ₹10000

• Riding without/with an expired RC: ₹3000 - ₹5000 

• Excessive speed (two-wheelers): ₹1000 - ₹1500 

• Excessive speed (four-wheelers): ₹2000 - ₹4000 

• Driving without a seatbelt: ₹1000 

• Riding without a helmet: ₹1000 

• Triple Riding: ₹1000 

• Not making way to emergency vehicles: ₹10000 

• Using a mobile phone while driving: ₹2000 - ₹10000 

• Wrong parking: ₹500 - ₹1000 

• Riding/driving without a number plate: ₹3000 - ₹10000

Yes, it is mandatory to have car insurance from a credible source before you drive in Patiala. Driving without insurance will cause a penalty of ₹2000 for the first time and ₹4000 for repeated offence.

The state government has decided to spend an estimated ₹2.27 Cr on road development projects in Patiala. This will not only accelerate a smoother flow of traffic but will largely contribute to the advancement of the overall transport infrastructure of the region. 

The rapid urbanisation of Patiala has triggered a number of road accidents. As per the news, a 53 years old man succumbed to death while four others were badly injured in a collision on the Nabha-Patiala road. 

The RTO in Patiala has celebrated the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week to spread awareness and reduce the number of accidents on roads. The campaign commenced under the name ‘Safe Punjab-Sohna Punjab’. Several road safety drives, rallies, and awareness centres have been organised as a part of the celebration.