HP RTO, Check Details of RTO Himachal Pradesh

6 min read • Posted on 07 Aug 2024

Himachal Pradesh RTO is the primary transportation department that regulates all transport-related activities and enforces traffic rules and regulations within the state.

Himachal Pradesh, situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, has scenic views of mountains and valleys, attracting tourists throughout the year. Hence, keeping the transportation infrastructure safe, secure, and accessible in these mountains is the primary responsibility of the transportation department of Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh RTO (HP RTO): An Overview

The HP RTO is a state-owned road transport department under Section 213 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Transport Commissioner heads the Transport Department of Himachal Pradesh. HP RTO is also responsible for enforcing the Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1972, and implementing all the rules framed thereunder. Regional Transport Offices are one of the major centres for revenue, contributing to the income of the Himachal Pradesh state government. Let's understand the core functions of HP RTO in detail.

Roles and Responsibilities of Regional Transport Offices Himachal Pradesh

If you own a vehicle and want to ply it under the jurisdiction of Himachal Pradesh, then you definitely need to visit the HP RTO and produce relevant documents. Besides these, the transport department of Himachal Pradesh coordinates with other transport departments to facilitate a proper transportation flow in the state and ensure efficient movement of passengers and goods. Himachal Pradesh RTO is primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing provisions, rules, and regulations of the Motor Vehicles Act and various other functions and services for the safety of the people of the state. They are stated below

Issuance of Various Licenses

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, every individual of 16 years or above must have a valid license to drive a vehicle legally in India. The Regional Transport Offices in Himachal Pradesh (HP RTO) issue and renew the driving licenses of individuals. The responsibilities related to licences and related works are as follows:

• Conduct a driving test before the issuance of a driving license and evaluate the driving capabilities and understanding of traffic rules of the applicant
• HP RTO issues a Learning License and a Permanent License to the drivers
• Renewal of Driving License
• Issuance of Duplicate License in case of loss or theft of existing driving license
• Disqualification or Revocation of existing Driving License in case of violation of rules
• Issuance and renewal of the Motor Driving School license
• Issuance of the International Driving Permit
• Any changes to the current Driving License
• Issue or renew the driving instructor's license
• Issuance of a Driving License to the conductor's

Issuance of Various Permits

Commercial vehicles carrying goods and people require a permit to drive within the city and outside. Himachal Pradesh RTO is responsible for issuing and renewing various permits to the people of Himachal or any other prescribed applicant. Various permits issued by RTOs are as follows:

• Issue new permits to vehicles
• Issue renewed and duplicate permits
• Issuance of Temporary permits to vehicles
• Issuance of Permit to Stage/ Goods carriages
• Issuance of permits to contract carriages
• Issuance of permit to vehicles for private service

Vehicle Registration in Himachal Pradesh RTO

Per the Motor Vehicles Act, the registration of a newly purchased vehicle is mandatory under the concerned HP RTO office. The Regional Transport Offices in Himachal Pradesh primarily register every vehicle in the state and issue RC (Registration Certificate) and registration number to the vehicle. RTO Himachal Pradesh provides registration of the following

• Issuance of temporary and permanent registration certificates
• Renewal of permanent registration in case of its expiry
• Issuance of duplication temporary as well as permanent registration in case of loss of the original one
• Endorsement and termination of loan hypothecation if the vehicle has been brought on a loan
• Transfer of ownership of the vehicle to the new owner of the vehicle if the vehicle is sold to any other person
• Issuance of No Objection Certificate to the applicant
• Providing a change of address of the vehicle owner in the registration certification

Collection of Various Taxes on Vehicles

Regional Transport Offices is responsible for collecting taxes and penalties (in case of violation of rules) from the vehicle owners. The various taxes are used to develop the transportation infrastructure within the state further to ensure safe travel. The following various taxes are as follows:

• Taxes on transport vehicles
• Taxes on non-transport vehicles
• Tax paid quarterly
• Road taxes
• Special road taxes
• Online token tax

Other Services of HP RTO

Besides the services mentioned above, RTO Himachal also checks on pollution control and the mechanical fit of the vehicle for safety on the roads. HP RTO also contributes to environmental upgradation by measuring the vehicle on different parameters, like

• Inspection of vehicles before issuing a valid certificate
• PUC (Pollution Under Control) Testing
• Issuance of PUC Certificates
• Registration of CNG or LPG Vehicles
• Conversion of Petrol/Diesel vehicles to CNG/LPG
• Evaluation of mechanical fitness of a vehicle and issuing or renewing fitness certificate
• Issue challan in case of violation of rules
• Issuance of Trade certificate of the vehicle
• Providing categorization of vehicles
• Providing diplomatic vehicles

Service Charges of Regional Transport Office Himachal Pradesh

RTO Himachal charges a fee for various services provided or offered by it. The vehicles or applicants will have to pay the prescribed fees for the specified services they want to avail of from the HP RTO. The various charges of regional transport offices Himachal Pradesh are stated below.

Learner License Test: Rs. 150/-

Issuance of Driving License: Rs. 200/-

Renewal of Driving License: Rs. 200/-

Grant Trade Certificate (Two-wheeler): Rs. 500/-

Issue and Renewal of Registration Certificate for

• Invalid Carriage: Rs. 50/-
• Motor Cycle: Rs. 300/-
• Three wheeler/ Quadricycle/ Light Motor Vehicles (Non-transport: Rs. 600/- and Transport: Rs. 1000/-)
• Medium Goods Vehicle: Rs. 1000/-
• Medium Passenger Motor Vehicle: Rs. 1000/-
• Heavy Goods Vehicle: Rs. 1500/-

Himachal Pradesh RTO Code List & Details

There are 96 Regional Transport Offices actively working in Himachal Pradesh under the supervision of the Transport Department of Himachal Pradesh (HP RTO). These Regional Transport Offices are listed below with their RTO Codes.

Contact Details of Himachal Pradesh RTO Office of Transport Commissioner, Directorate of Transport, Parivahan Bhawan, Shimla-171004 Phone No - 01772803136 and 0177-2808642 E-mail ID - transport-hp@nic.in

Types of Registration of Vehicles

The following two types of vehicle registration are done at RTO Himachal. These vehicles include two-wheelers as well as four-wheeler vehicles.

• Temporary Registration: Per the provisions and rules stated in the prescribed Section 43 of the Motor Vehicle Act, the temporary registration of a vehicle is only permissible if the vehicle is required to be taken to any other state from the state of its purchase. Generally, the temporary registration number or temporary registration certificate is valid only for a period of seven days or one month. Before the expiry of this period, it is necessary for the owner of the vehicle to register his/her vehicle permanently with the Regional Transport Office of the state.
• Permanent Registration: Permanent registration is mandatory under the prescribed section of the Motor Vehicles Act. The owner must register his/her vehicle within a prescribed period with the concerned Regional Transport Office by following the simple process stated below. The permanent registration is valid for 15 years and requires renewal after the said period through the same process.

Process of Temporary Registration of a Vehicle in Himachal Pradesh RTO

Temporary registration is served when you purchase a new vehicle in a different state and is yet required to register permanently with the concerned Regional Transport Office where you want to reside/ drive. The vehicle dealer assigns the new vehicle a temporary registration certificate or number. It is valid only for a period of one month. The vehicle owner is required to get the vehicle registered permanently within this temporary registration period. You can follow these steps to obtain the temporary registration number of your vehicle from the dealer of the vehicle

• Visit the dealer for the purchase of the vehicle
• Submit the relevant documents as stated below to get the registration of the vehicle along with applicable fees for the same
• The dealer will visit the concerned Regional Transport Office to obtain the temporary registration and provide you with the same.

Documents Required for Temporary Registration of a Vehicle

At the time of the purchase, you need to submit the following documents to the dealer of the vehicle along with applicable fees for temporary registration, which is valid for one month.

• Application for registration of the vehicle to be made in Form 20
• Form 21 (Sales certificate of the vehicle)
• Form 22 (Roadworthiness certificate of the vehicle)
• Valid address proof of the vehicle owner
• A valid Vehicle Insurance Certificate
• Certificate of PUC (Pollution Under Control)
• PAN card or Form 60 and Form 61 (if required)
• Permanent Registration certificate of the vehicle

Process of Permanent Registration of Vehicle in RTO Himachal

The permanent vehicle registration application must be submitted to the concerned registering authority nearest to the location where the vehicle owner resides or carries out his/her business. The vehicle owner needs to apply for a permanent registration number to the concerned regional transport office in Form 20, along with the required documents. You can follow the following steps to obtain permanent registration of your vehicle in HP RTO:

• Visit the nearest Regional Transport Office to your residential or business area with all the necessary documents and their xerox copies.
• Duly fill and submit the application form along with applicable permanent registration fees at one of the counters of the concerned HP RTO.
• You should also carry a demand draft drawn on the name of the concerned RTO along with relevant documents for the road tax to be payable.
• Once the documents are verified and processed, the concerned Himachal RTO will also verify the vehicle to be registered. The process generally takes two to three days to be completed. It may take longer in some cases.
• Then the official of the concerned HP RTO will assign the registration certificate and registration number of the vehicle to the owner of the vehicle.

Documents Required for Permanent Registration of Vehicle

The permanent registration is valid for a period of 15 years from the date of its registration. However, after its expiry, the owner should renew the registration of the vehicle every 5 years. The following documents are required to be submitted by the vehicle owner to obtain a permanent registration certificate and permanent registration number of the vehicle.

• Form 20 (in case the vehicle is bought on Hypothecation or loan or lease)
• Form 21 (Sale Certificate of the vehicle)
• Form 22 (Valid Roadworthiness Certificate) as obtained from the dealer of the vehicle
• Valid ID proof of the vehicle owner.
• Attested copy of the invoice from both the manufacturer as well from the seller
• Passport-sized documents of the owner of the vehicle
• Valid Insurance certificate of the vehicle
• Address Proof (Ration Card or passport or Aadhaar card)
• A valid temporary registration certificate
• For Imported vehicles certificate of customs clearance
• PUC or Pollution Under Control Certificate
• The applicable fee, as specified
• Road tax payment is also required to be made
• Chassis and print of Engine Pencil is also to be submitted
• A copy of the PAN card or Form 60 and Form 61 (if applicable)
• Form A is also required, which is stated under the Taxation Act, 1997

Renew Registration in HP RTO

Renewal of the registration certificate is required every 5 years after the completion of 15 years time period. To renew your vehicle registration certificate, you need to file an application by following the given steps

• Fill out Form 25, available on the official website of transport department or directly from the RTO office Himachal Pradesh
• Prepare the required documents including original RC, PUC, and valid insurance certificate
• Submit the application at HP RTO with the re-registration fee
• Once the vehicle inspection is completed, the renewed RC will be issued to you.

Duplicate Registration Certificate at Himachal RTO

In case the original RC is stolen, destroyed, or lost, you need a duplicate registration certificate to operate your vehicle and avoid any legal complications. Follow the steps to apply for the duplicate registration certificate at Himachal RTO.

• Fill out Form 26
• Keep all the documents ready, including the chassis number, police FIR copy, PUC certificate, vehicle insurance certificate, NOC from the financer, and address proof.
• Submit all the documents with the required fee.
• Once the HP RTO officials inspect the vehicle at the RTO office and verify all the documents, the duplicate RC is issued to you.

Transfer of Vehicle Ownership at Regional Transport Office Himachal Pradesh

If you buy a second-hand vehicle or the primary owner dies, you need to transfer the vehicle ownership. You can follow the given steps

• Submit the required Forms 29, 30, and 31, as required.
• Keep all the documents ready, including chassis number, RC, police FIR copy, PUC certificate, vehicle insurance certificate, NOC from the financer, PAN card or Form 60/61, and address proof.
• Submit the application with all the documents, applicable fees, and taxes.
• The RTO officials carry out vehicle inspections and verify all the documents.
• Ownership transfer is completed after the successful verification, and the same is updated in the RC.

Process to Obtain Fancy Registration Number of a Vehicle in Himachal Pradesh RTO

To get a fancy or personalized number for your vehicle, you must register it online on the official website of the Transport Department. Some computer-generated numbers, which range between 1 and 9999, are allotted to state government officials. So, if you want a fancy or personalized vehicle number, you are required to bid for it in an open auction on a given date. This process requires a definite amount (service charges) for such fancy numbers. Follow the steps below to obtain a fancy registration number for your vehicle:

• Login to the account online to select the required fancy number and pay the specified amount for the same.
• The results of the auction bidding are shown online. If the bidder has already been selected, you will receive a refund of the remaining amount.
• It is recommended that you download the allotment for any future reference.

Get Vehicle Insurance in Himachal Pradesh

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory for a vehicle owner to have valid vehicle insurance to drive a vehicle legally in India. In order to protect the owner of the vehicle and to provide a financial cushion in the event of an accident which causes bodily injury to a third party and the vehicle, vehicle insurance is a security blanket. To drive a vehicle, two or four-wheelers, on the road without an insurance cover is offensive and dangerous. The following vehicle insurance options are available for purchase by a vehicle owner per requirements.

Third-Party Liability: This kind of vehicle insurance is mandatory to purchase. This insurance policy covers the damages caused to the vehicle or injuries caused to any third person. Damages caused to a personal vehicle or injuries are not covered under this insurance cover.

Comprehensive Car Insurance: A comprehensive insurance policy shall cover the damages caused to any third party or own vehicle. Similarly, injuries caused to third-party persons and personal injuries are covered under this insurance policy.

In case of an accident, a motor insurance policy will protect you and your vehicle. To adapt the basic vehicle insurance policy to its needs and maximise benefits, a number of additional cover options are available. Would you like to compare a policy and choose the one suitable for your vehicle? Get in touch with the Renew Buy POSP advisor, who'll help you choose an appropriate policy within minutes at an affordable price.

Final Words

The Regional Transport Office Himachal Pradesh has made it easy and accessible to obtain service at the earliest convenience. To avail of a service, you must fill out applicable forms and submit them at the concerned HP RTO for the specified service or vehicle registration. You can download the specified form online from Transport Portal Himachal Pradesh or collect them from the concerned Himachal RTO. Once all the documents are submitted at one of the counters of the regional transport office, the officials verify the documents, conduct a vehicle inspection (if required), and provide valid documents of your vehicle.