Pithoragarh is located in the state of Uttarakhand and is known as "Little Kashmir". Its Road Transport Office is registered under RTO code UK05. It has well-connected roads that connect to railways and airports. However, since heavy rain is prominent here the road conditions are not good.

Pithoragarh RTO supervises the implementation of vehicles and road transport guidelines. Read more to find the services you can avail here.

Pithoragarh RTO office performs a multitude of functions in the maintenance of the Pithoragarh vehicles and road safety. The most essential functions carried out by Pithoragarh RTO are:

• Levying and collecting road taxes
• Managing different types of motor vehicle permits
• Foreseeing the development of safer road conditions
• Ensuring the implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, motor vehicle guidelines of the state, and Central Motor Vehicles Act 1989.
• Renewing driving licence
• Issuing vehicle registration certificates Registering vehicles
• Collecting vehicle tax
• Issuing motor vehicle permits

Pithoragarh RTO issues different types of driving licence for different purposes, in accordance with the following:

• Licence for Learners
• Licence for driving instructors
• Licence for conductors of commercial vehicles
• Licence for professional motor vehicle driving schools

The types of vehicle registration services that Pithoragarh RTO gives include the following:

• Temporary vehicle registration
• Permanent vehicle registration

Besides these, issuing vehicle fitness certificates, transfer of vehicle ownership and hypothecation removal also falls under vehicle registration services. After you have completed the vehicle registration process, the RTO will issue a registration number. This particular number is your licence plate number.

Pithoragarh RTO follows the rules and regulations laid by the RTO of Uttarakhand. The guidelines that are implied on the citizens of Pithoragarh follow Motor Vehicles Act 1989. They are as follows:

• Charges for registration of motor vehicles: ₹200 - ₹800
• Charges for renewal of Trade Certificate: ₹50 - ₹200
• Charges for issuing of hypothecation vehicle registration copy: ₹100 - ₹400
• Charges for registration  of imported vehicles: ₹200 - ₹800

The RTO offices in Pithoragarh follow the standards of Uttarakhand road taxes that depend on several categories, for instance, the purpose of the vehicle, passenger seat capacity of the vehicle, vehicle category, and others. They are as follows:

• 2-Wheeler Vehicles: 6% to 8% of the cost of the vehicle
• 4-Wheeler Vehicles: 6% to 8% of the cost of the vehicle

RTO Pithoragarh charges traffic fines based on the rules laid down by Motor Vehicles Act no. 59, 1988. Not following the traffic rules in Pithoragarh will have charges as per the given list below:

• On Over Speeding: ₹1000 - ₹5000
• On Driving Without a Licence Plate: ₹500 - ₹1500
• On Using Mobile Phones While Driving: ₹1000 - ₹5000
• On Triple Riding on Two-Wheelers: ₹500 - ₹1500
• On Blocking Emergency Vehicles: ₹5000

Definitely yes! it is mandatory to have a motor insurance  coverage for your vehicle when driving a vehicle in Pithoragarh. If you are seen driving a vehicle without any insurance, their charges of penalty range from ₹1000 - ₹2000, for two-wheelers, and ₹2000 - ₹4000, for four-wheelers.

A recent report on the Pithoragarh National Highway route says that cracks on the national highway are significantly enlarging due to heavy spells of rainfall and snowfall. The meteorological department predicts the situation to worsen with another heavy downpour of rain and snow. As pointed out by a local, another reason for these crack development is exercising a large number of vehicles beyond the carrying capacity of the highway. 

In another incident, on 22^nd September 2022, a massive landslide took place in Pithoragarh. The landslide caused a blockage of the road for days. About 40 passers-by and road travellers were left without any means to move from there.

There has been news about a massive disruption of lives due to heavy cloudbursts in Uttarakhand. Pithoragarh was very severely affected and multiple homes were left shattered. About 36 houses were damaged due to a downpour of heavy debris and rainfall.

Pithoragarh traffic police organised a road awareness campaign on 16^th January 2023, under the supervision of Pithoragarh RTO. In the campaign, the residents dressed up as Chitragupt and Yamraj, talking with travellers and informing them about the road safety guidelines.

On 25^th November 2022, a reputed newspaper set up a road awareness campaign in a school. Traffic sub-inspector Darban Sign Mehta led this campaign and informed the school members about – the road condition index, rules of safe traffic, and triple E index.