The concept of RTO was introduced in India under section 213 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Consequently, Hyderabad RTO was found to implement the MV Act’s rules and regulations across the city. The department is listed under the Telangana Transport Department. 

The Telangana Transport Department offers various services for road transport welfare and safety, such as the issuance of licences, vehicle registrations, and permits.

Keep reading to know more details regarding the Hyderabad RTO office.

Everyone in Hyderabad has easy access to the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), which provide vehicle registration, driver license issuance, and overseeing road laws. 

Here’s a detailed look at the services provided by Hyderabad's RTOs:

1. Vehicle Registration

• New Vehicle Registration: Like any other motor vehicle, new vehicles, both private and those for business use, require registration. The vehicle owner is issued a Registration Certificate (RC) with a fifteen-year general expiry.
• Transfer of Ownership: If a vehicle is sold, ownership can only be transferred through the RTO with Forms 29 and 30.
• Renewal of Registration: The RC needs to be renewed after 15 years to allow the vehicle owner to continue using their vehicle legally.

2. Driving Licences

• Learner's Licence: The driver first gets a learner's license once they pass a test on the traffic rules and regulations.
• Permanent Driving Licence: After driving for at least 30 days after getting a learner’s license, one can apply for a permanent one by passing an I-torque practical test.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): The RTO provides IDPs that enable one to drive in other countries.

3. Vehicle Permits

• Commercial Vehicle Permits: Permits are necessary for local and interstate movements of passenger and goods vehicles, including taxis and trucks.
• Temporary and National Permits: These are given for some time or travel across states, especially for business purposes and commercial vehicles.

4. Road Tax Collection

• Lifetime Road Tax: Car owners can also pay a one-time tax when registering their car.
• Annual Road Tax: Depending on the type and size of the vehicle being registered, annual road tax is paid for commercial vehicles.

5. PUC or Pollution Under Control Certification

PUC certificates are given to monitor pollution. Automobile pollutants are tested, and PUC certificates are issued to automobiles in Hyderabad RTOs.

6. Hypothecation Services

When a vehicle is bought on credit, the financier’s information will be provided in the RC. The hypothecation can be removed once the loan is repaid by the vehicle owner turning in an application for removal.

The RTO Hyderabad issues DL and permits for broadly six types of vehicles listed hereunder:

• Motorcycle with an Engine Capacity of up to 50 CC: Applicant must be 16 or above years of age and should have the consent of his guardian or parents along with the required documents.
• Motorcycles with Gear: Applicant must be 18 years of age or above and have valid required documents. These are Light Motor Vehicles used for private, commercial, or transport.
• Two-Wheelers Without Gear: Issued for mopeds or two-wheelers without gear.
• Heavy Commercial Vehicle: Applicant must be 8th standard qualified and over or equal to 18 years of age with a driving training certificate from a registered school under the state government.
• Driving Licence for road rollers, trailers, dozers, cranes, among others.
• Personal Four-Wheeler: Applicant must be 18 years of age or above with valid required documents.
• Commercial Four-Wheeler: Applicant must be 8th standard qualified and over or equal to 18 years of age with proper driving/ training certificate.

 Note: Cab and Auto Rickshaw drivers do not need a separate commercial driving license to operate. Their personal LMV license is enough to fulfil the legal mandates.

1. Temporary Registration

Temporary registration is given when a new car is bought and usually lasts up to three months. It allows the car to be legally used until the rightful owners legally register it. The dealer provides temporary registration, and the license period is limited to one month. At this time, the owner should go to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to register for a permanent one.

Key Points:

• Validity: Lasts up to one month.
• Purpose: To grant permission to drive as the permanent registration process is being prepared.
• Issuing Authority: Mostly given by the car dealership authorised by the RTO. 

2. Permanent Registration

Permanent registration is mandatory for any conveyance operating legally on the country's highways. However, after buying a car, the owner must bring it to be permanently registered at the Hyderabad RTO. The RTO checks for the necessary documents, such as the bill receipt, address validity, and insurance. 

Upon successful verification, a registration number relating to the particular vehicle is issued. This registration number on the number plate becomes the official number of the vehicle, which can be used for life but must be relicensed after 15 years for private car usage.

Key Points:

• Validity: Permanent (legally renewable beyond fifteen years for automobiles of private use).
• Registration Certificate (RC): After the permanent registration, the RTO provides an RC proving vehicle ownership.
• Issuing Authority: Hyderabad RTO after document verification and vehicle inspection.

Road tax for vehicles in Hyderabad depends on the age of the vehicle. Here is a list of the vehicle Telangana road tax applicable in Hyderabad:

• Newly Registered Two-Wheeler Road Tax: 9% of the vehicle’s valuation.
• Old Two-Wheeler Road Tax (Depending Upon Age): 1% to 8% of the vehicle’s valuation.
• Newly Registered Four-Wheeler Road Tax: 12% of the valuation for cars within ₹10 lakhs and 14% of the valuation for cars more than ₹10 lakhs.
• Old Two-Wheeler Road Tax (Depending Upon the Age and the Price of the Vehicle): 5.5% to 13% of the vehicle’s valuation.
• Newly Registered Commercial Vehicle Road Tax: 7.5% of the vehicle’s valuation.
• Old Commercial Vehicle Road Tax (Depending Upon Age): 4% to 6.5% of the vehicle’s valuation.

It is a must to follow all the traffic rules in Hyderabad. The rule applies to all riders and drivers throughout the country.  You will be subjected to a fine if you violate any of these traffic rules in Hyderabad. Other than the fines it can also lead to imprisonment up to a year.  Here are all the important traffic fines in Hyderabad you need to keep in mind while driving. 

• Driving a Motor Vehicle Without a Licence: ₹500
• No Entry Violation: ₹200
• U-Turn Violation: ₹200
• Dangerous Driving: ₹1,000
• Driving Without a Valid Vehicle Registration: ₹2,000
• Riding a Bike Without a Helmet: ₹200
• Stop Line Violation: ₹200
• Disobeying a Police Officer: ₹200
• Signal Jumping Violation: ₹1,000
• Using Mobile Phones While Driving a Vehicle: ₹1,000
• Invalid PUC Certificate: ₹1,000
• Overloading Goods Vehicle: ₹200
• Over-Speeding: ₹1,400

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance while driving any motor vehicle insurance. If your comprehensive insurance has expired, you should at least have third-party insurance. Driving without valid vehicle insurance can lead to hefty fines. You will have to pay ₹1,000 as a fine if you are unable to produce insurance.

While registering a vehicle as new or used at the RTO in Hyderabad, certain documents are required to cross-check the vehicle's originality and the owner's. Below is a list of documents required for vehicle registration in Hyderabad:

1. Form 20 – Application for Registration of a New Vehicle

This is one of the forms used in the application for vehicle registration issued by the authority. It consists of important information concerning the vehicle and its owner.

2. Sale Certificate (Form 21)

This is provided by the dealer, who offers an assurance that the vehicle was lawfully bought. It has data about the buyer, seller, and when the particular bought was acquired.

3. Roadworthiness Certificate (Form 22)

This is a report issued by the vehicle manufacturer after he has satisfied himself that the vehicle complies with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and is fit for road use.

4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate

Third-party insurance, as well as most types of automobile insurance, is compulsory for registration. Comprehensive coverage can also be submitted.

5. Temporary Registration Certificate (if applicable)

If the vehicle was assigned a temporary registration number when purchased from the dealer, then such a number must be produced when the applicant applies for permanent registration.

6. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

This certificate proves that the vehicle conforms to the environmental requirements and does not pollute beyond the permissible limit. It also ensures that the vehicle is roadworthy and does not harm the environment.

7. Invoice from the Dealer

An original copy of the dealer's purchase invoice, evidence of purchase, and a vehicle description are required.

8. Road Tax Payment Receipt

Registration entails licence duty and road taxes. The fee depends on the vehicle's form and cost; the receipt is required for validation.

9. Identification of the Physical Person Behind the Vehicle

Any one of the following documents can be used as proof of identity:

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• PAN card
• Passport
• Driving licence
• Identifying the Proof of the Vehicle Owner

10. Address Proof of the Owner

Proof of residence in Chennai is required. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID Card
• Passport
• Utility Bills (electricity, water, gas, etc.)
• Lease Agreement If the Vehicle is Registered
• Photographs, Passport Size
• Recent Passport-Size Photographs are Included for Identification on the Registration Documents

11. Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported Vehicles)

If the vehicle was imported for customs clearance, the owner must produce a customs clearance certificate, which acknowledges the clearance of all the duties and formalities concerning importation.

12. PAN Card or Form 60/61

For tax-related purposes, vehicles above ₹50,000 require a PAN card. If the PAN card is unavailable, the required form can be filled out as Form 60/61.

13. Bank NOC (if financed)

The vehicle is often bought through a loan; therefore, an NOC from the bank or financial institution is required. This goes in tandem with the financier's words that he does not have any problem transferring the ownership of the vehicle to the owner's name.

The following is inflation in current events regarding traffic, particularly in Hyderabad, to elaborate on its strategic approaches to accompanying everyday and extraordinary situations:

For instance, the Koluvula Panduga organised by DSC 2024 resulted in traffic diversions early this October. The police encouraged people to adopt other roads to help reduce congestion around junctions. These measures were taken to maintain free traffic since there was congestion among participants and attendees​. 

Another critical traffic situation is connected with the Outer Ring Road, where accidents steadily increased after the speed limit increased from 100 km/h to 120 km/h in 2023. The accident numbers rose from 51 in 2022 to 68 in 2023, raising concerns about enhanced vigilance, emergency car parking areas, and advocacy for road safety promotions. 

This has come in the wake of increasing concern over the dangers of high-speed operations along the ORR. Rashtrapati chairman Hyderabad RTO and the traffic police have also been very involved in road safety campaigns, especially regarding lorries or buses. 

Hyderabad Traffic Police recently launched an extensive and multipoint road safety awareness campaign that was extended to auto and truck drivers and vendors at Kings Palace Function Hall Gudimalkapur. This event was part of the 35th National Road Safety Month from January 15 to February 14, with a directive from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 

This utility campaign, ‘Road Safety Hero,’ aimed to reach relevant urban transport stakeholders, including auto drivers, who are essential to Hyderabad’s public transportation.

In the view of P. Viswaprasad, the Additional Commissioner of Police – Traffic, Hyderabad, autos amount to roughly ₹1.20 lakh and are an essential component of urban transport. However, auto drivers practice many annoying practices of driving recklessly, a factor that poses serious lives for many individuals on the roads.