Siliguri is the largest city in North Bengal, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, otherwise known as the Gateway of North-Eastern India. Many tourists visit this place as a weekend getaway, increasing the traffic in the region.

There are two RTO offices in Siliguri, WB-73 and WB-74, to look after traffic regulations. Together, they are responsible for providing all transport-related services to the city's residents.

Here is a list of the essential functions performed by the RTO Offices in Siliguri: 

• Issuing driving licences

• Providing vehicle registration certificate

• Collecting road taxes on behalf of the government

• Issuing of road and motor vehicle permits

• Organising road safety campaigns to spread road safety measures

• Offering PUC Certificate to control pollution

• Carrying vehicle ownership transfer 

Providing NOC for vehicle

The Siliguri RTO offices offer all types of driving licence to its citizens. Following is a list of such driving licences:

• Learners’ Licence
• Permanent Driving Licence
• International Driving Licence
• Commercial Driving Licence

There are mainly two types of vehicle registration the RTO offices in Siliguri offers:

1. Permanent vehicle registration

2. Temporary vehicle registration

After your vehicle registration is completed, the RTO will assign you a registration certificate and number plate. The registration certificate will contain all the necessary information about your vehicle and a unique registration number (WB73XXXX).

Here is a list of the most important fees charged by the RTO offices in Siliguri:

• Learner’s Licence Application Fee: ₹150

• Learner’s Licence Test Fee: ₹50

• Learner’s Licence Repeat Test Fee: ₹300

• Driving Licence Issuance Fee: ₹200

• International Driving Permit: ₹1000

• Addition of Any Other Class of Vehicle to the Driving Licence: ₹500

• Change of Address in the Driving Licence: ₹200

• Driving Licence Renewal: ₹200

Road tax in Siliguri is calculated based on the engine capacity and classification of the vehicle. Here is a list of West Bengal road tax charged in Siliguri:

Two-wheelers

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity of up to 80cc: ₹1560

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 80cc and 170cc: ₹3125

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 170cc and 250cc: ₹4685

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Over 250cc: ₹6250

Four-wheelers

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity of up to 900cc: ₹10550 and ₹4000 extra for AC Cars

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 900cc and 1490cc: ₹13900 and ₹7500 extra for AC Cars

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 1490 cc and 2000 cc: ₹21800 and ₹10000 extra for AC Cars

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 2000 cc and 2500 cc: ₹28000 and ₹12500 extra for AC Cars

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Over 2500 cc: ₹30000 and ₹15000 extra for AC Cars

Commercial Vehicles:

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity of up to 900cc: ₹11900

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 900cc and 1490cc: ₹15250

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 1490 cc and 2000 cc: ₹24500 

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Between 2000 cc and 2500 cc: ₹30000 

• Vehicles With Engine Capacity Over 2500 cc: ₹32000

Not following traffic rules and regulations can lead to heavy fines and even imprisonment. Here is a list of the most critical traffic rules and regulations you must follow and their respective traffic fines in West Bengal:

• Driving or Riding Without a DL: ₹5000 

• Driving or Riding a Vehicle Without Valid RC: ₹5000 and ₹10000 for repeat offences

• Driving or Riding an Uninsured Vehicle: ₹2000 and 4000 for repeat offences

• Overspeeding: ₹1000 and ₹2,000 for repeat offences

• Driving Dangerously: ₹5000 and ₹10000 for repeat offences

• Driving a Vehicle Without Wearing a Seat Belt: ₹1000

• Riding Without a Helmet: ₹1000

• Racing in a Public Place: ₹5000 and ₹10000 for repeat offences

• Using Mobile Phones When Driving a Vehicle: ₹5000 and ₹10000 for repeat offences

• Honking in Silent Zones: ₹1000 and ₹2000 for repeat offences

• Drive a Vehicle Without a DL: ₹5000

• Driving a Vehicle Without Fitness Certificate: ₹10000

• Driving a Vehicle Without Valid Permits: ₹10000

• Driving a Vehicle Without a Valid PUC Certificate: ₹2000

Yes, it is mandatory to have motor insurance while driving a vehicle in Siliguri. Driving without comprehensive insurance can lead to hefty expenses in case of an accident. Always check for the charges the insurance is covering before purchasing it. Some insurance providers do not include essential charges in their plans.

According to a recent news report, the Siliguri Municipality Corporation has identified several locations to create parking spots. The municipality took this initiative to reduce the traffic congestion in the city. Lack of parking lots is one of the primary reasons for traffic jams in the area during rush hours.

In a recent traffic campaign, the Bagdogra Forest Department and the Bagdogra Traffic Police launched an awareness campaign to prevent accidents due to wild animals. They have reduced the speed limit to 40 km per hour on the road from Atal to Bagdogra in Naxalbari to ensure the safety of wild animals in the forest.