Key Differences Between RTO and DTO
The Regional Transport Office or RTO is an organization under the government of India which holds the key responsibility of keeping track of the number of vehicles and drivers throughout the country. It is also authorized to issue driving licenses, collect vehicle road taxes and sell personalized registrations. The RTO holds the responsibility of inspecting the vehicle's documents and insurances as well as conducting pollution tests.
The Regional Transport Office
The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 established the Motor Vehicles Department under section 213(1). This act is a central one, which means that it applies to the whole country. According to this act, the Motor Vehicles Department is headed by a Transport Commissioner and every state and city should have their own RTO or Regional Transport Office. The RTO office has the authority to identify any untaxed vehicles entering any of the states of India to curb vehicle crimes, as well as help, improve security on the roads, the RTO office introduced high-security registration plates. These plates also help prevent thieves and other criminals from using written-off or scrapped vehicles.
Functions of RTO
The Regional Transport Office or RTO is bestowed with the authority to enforce the different Motor Vehicles Acts and the central and state motor vehicles rules that have been prescribed by the government of India. Besides these, the RTO office also performs a host of other functions including development of road transportation systems and the collection of road taxes. The RTO is also responsible for conducting driving tests and issuing learning as well as permanent driving licenses throughout the country. It is authorized to grant certificates of fitness to transport vehicles. It also helps check vehicles which are involved in accidents, and issues badges and licenses to the drivers of public services vehicles including buses, rickshaws, and taxis. The RTO even has the authority to issue international licenses and driving permits.
Vehicle Registration at RTO
If a person in India wishes to own and drive a vehicle, then he or she must get it registered at the RTO, which is a mandate according to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. And to complete this registration process, the said person will need to submit a set of documents including Form 20, which is the application form for the registration process, age and address proof documents, recent passport size photographs, Form 21, which is the sales certificate of the vehicle, Form 22, which is the roadworthiness certificate, PUC certificate and the vehicle's insurance papers. C
One would also be required to submit the sales tax certificate and no objection certificate in case the vehicle has been bought from another state in the country. Likewise, in the case of trailer or semi-trailer vehicles, a design approval certificate has to be obtained from the transport minister. Also, Form 34 has to be duly filled and submitted if there is loan hypothecation.
Differences Between RTO and DTO
One such primary difference is the RTO maintains records and databases of all drivers and vehicles of the different states of India. Whereas, the DTO maintains records and databases of all drivers and vehicles of the different districts. That is, the RTO is a state-level transport organization, whereas the DTO is a district-level transport organization. One other notable difference between RTO and DTO is that a state can have only one RTO office, but several DTO or District Transport Offices. The RTO has a set of prescribed functions that it needs to perform to ensure the safety and security of both the driver and the vehicles when they are on the roads. It also performs several other functions including getting new vehicles registered and issuing certificates and licenses for public transport vehicles to ply on the roads of India. Besides these, it also has the powers to issue international driving licenses.
Both the RTO and DTO perform similar functions. However, the major difference between them is the RTO is a state-level transport organization, whereas DTO is a district-level transport organization.