Sonbhadra is an industrialised area and is known as the energy capital of India. This second-largest district of Uttar Pradesh has an RTO Office that functions under the Government of Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Road Transport. The RTO code of Sonbhadra is UP64 and this office serves several purposes to the residents in this place.

RTO Sonbhadra offers several services to vehicle owners, which include:

• New vehicles registration
• Carry Vehicle registration transfer
• Issue NOC for vehicle in another state
• Issue various types of permits
• Renew driving licence
• Provide duplicate vehicle registration certificate
• Change/update name on driving licence
• Transfer Vehicle Ownership
• Collect Motor Vehicle Tax
• Furnish duplicate licence/ learner’s licence/ international driving licence
• Apply for Vehicle RC renewal

Sonbhadra RTO offers types of driving licence to vehicle owners, which include:

1. Commercial Driving Licence

2. International Driving Permit

3. Learners’ Licence

4. Permanent Licence

Registering your vehicle in Sonbhadra is mandatory and you must apply for registration within 7 days of purchasing your new vehicle. Here are the 2 types of vehicle registration offered by Sonbhadra RTO:

1. Permanent Registration

2. Temporary Registration

Note: As the process of vehicle registration concludes, ensure to display the same on your vehicle’s number plate

A basic of ₹600 as registration charges is applicable for all vehicles. However, the other vehicle registration charges include:

• Temporary Registration Fees: ₹1200 to ₹1500 (temporary registration for up to 1 month)
• Hypothecation Fees: ₹1500 (In case you buy the vehicle on a loan)
• Number Plate Charges: ₹230 to ₹400
• Parking Fee/State Development Charges: ₹2000 for cars under ₹4 lakh
• Parking Fees for cars Above ₹4 Lakh (Applicable in Some States): ₹4000 
• Road Tax: 8% (for cars under ₹10 Lakhs), 10% (for cars above ₹10 Lakhs)
• Additional Temporary Charges: ₹1500
• FasTag Charges: ₹600
• Used Cars Under 15 years: Green Tax on registration renewal + Smart Card

You must know, UP road tax is calculated separately for two-wheelers, four-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Here is the exact percentage in detail:

• Four-wheelers: 3% to 9% of the vehicle’s value
• Two-wheelers: 2% to 8% of the vehicle’s value
• Commercial vehicles: ₹665 to ₹3320 (depending on the loading capacity)

One must abide by the traffic rules while driving on the roads of Sonbhadra, to avoid a collision or unnecessary mishaps on the road. However, the updated list of penalties in Sonbhadra for violating traffic rules includes:

• Riding Without Wearing a Seat Belt: ₹1000 and/or community service
• Violating Road Regulations: ₹500- ₹1000
• Not Providing a Way for Emergency Vehicles: ₹1000
• Driving Under the Influence of Intoxication ₹10000 and/or 6 months prison, for repeat offence ₹15000 and/or 2 years jail
• Over speeding: LMV: ₹1000 to ₹2000 and for MPV/HPV: ₹2000 to ₹4000 (+ licence seizure)
• Driving Without Licence: ₹5000 and/or community service
• Horns in Silent Zone: ₹2000 (first time offence), ₹4000 (second time offence)

The traffic fine can go up to ₹1 lakh if the offence is severe and done repeatedly.

It is mandatory to have a motor insurance while you drive on the streets of Sonbhadra. Car insurance serves as a saviour in protecting vehicle owners from road accidents and reduces liabilities. If anyone fails to have car insurance, it might lead to suspension of licence and vehicle registration, legal punishment, etc.

As per recent news, an ambulance, having a critical patient, got stuck in the Sonbhadra district due to a jam of lorries. However, as the police intervened, the road was cleared eventually.

Another news confirmed that in Jharkhola village of Sonbhadra district, there was a massive collision between two vehicles. Both these vehicles were completely destroyed in the incident. Everyone was taken out of the vehicles with the help of the villagers.

As per last year's news traffic police fined 114 vehicles as part of the investigative road campaign conducted on highways.

Additionally, concluding Traffic month last year several authorities and officials were felicitated appreciating their efforts in saving the lives of the injured in road accidents.