Tamil Nadu RTO
The Tamil Nadu Road Transport Department enforces the various provisions of Section 213 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in the state of Tamil Nadu. For this purpose, a network of regional transport offices or RTOs have been established to cover the entire state of Tamil Nadu.
The RTOs provide several services to the citizens of Tamil Nadu which include vehicle registration, issuing driving license, issuing vehicle fitness certificates and issuing permits.
RTO Locations and codes in Tamil Nadu
The various RTOs covering various regions of the state and their codes have been listed here.
| RTO Location | RTO Code? | RTO Location | RTO Code? | RTO Location | RTO Code? |
| Chennai Central | TN01 | Bhavani | TN36W | Melur | TN59W |
| Chennai North West | TN02 | Sathiamangalam | TN36Z | Periyakulam | TN60 |
| Chennai North East | TN03 | Coimbatore (South) | TN37 | Uthamapalayam | TN60Z |
| Chennai East | TN04 | Sulur | TN37Z | Ariyalur | TN61 |
| Chennai North | TN05 | Coimbatore (North) | TN38 | Sivagangai | TN63 |
| Chennai South East | TN06 | Tirupur (North) | TN39 | Karaikudi | TN63Z |
| Chennai South | TN07 | Avinashi | TN39Z | Madurai Central | TN64 |
| Chennai West | TN09 | Mettupalayam | TN40 | Ramanathapuram | TN65 |
| Chennai South West | TN10 | Pollachi | TN41 | Paramkudi | TN65Z |
| Tambaram | TN11 | Valparai | TN41W | Coimbatore Central | TN66 |
| Poonamalee | TN12 | Tirupur South | TN42 | Virudhnagar | TN67 |
| Ambattur | TN13 | Kangayam | TN42Y | Aruppukottai | TN67W |
| Sholinganallur | TN14 | Ooty | TN43 | Kumbakonam | TN68 |
| Ulundurpet | TN15 | Gudalur | TN43Z | Tuticorin | TN69 |
| Kallakurichi | TN15Z | Tiruchirappalli West | TN45 | Tiruchendur | TN69Y |
| Tindivanam | TN16 | Manaparai | TN45Z | Kovilpatti | TN69Z |
| Redhills | TN18 | Perambalur | TN46 | Hosur | TN70 |
| Gumidipoondi | TN18Y | Karur | TN47 | Tirunelveli | TN72 |
| Chengalpattu | TN19 | Aravakurichi | TN47Y | Valliyur | TN72V |
| Madurantagam | TN19Z | Kulithalai | TN47Z | Ranipet | TN73 |
| Thiruvallur | TN20 | Srirangam | TN48 | Arakkonam | TN73Z |
| Kancheepuram | TN21 | Musuri | TN48Y | Nagercoil | TN74 |
| Sriperumbudur | TN21W | Thuraiyur | TN48Z | Marthandam | TN75 |
| Meenambakkam | TN22 | Tanjavur | TN49 | Tenkasi | TN76 |
| Vellore | TN23 | Pattukottai | TN49Y | Ambasamudram | TN76V |
| Gudiyatham | TN23T | Tiruvarur | TN50 | Attur | TN77 |
| Krishnagiri | TN24 | Mannarkudi | TN50Z | Valapady | TN77Z |
| Tiruvanamalai | TN25 | Nagapattinam | TN51 | Dharapuram | TN78 |
| Arani | TN25Z | Sangagiri | TN52 | Udumalpet | TN78Z |
| Namakkal North | TN28 | Mettur | TN52Z | Sankarankoil | TN79 |
| Rasipuram | TN28Z | Salem (East) | TN54 | Tiruchirapalli East | TN81 |
| Dharmapuri | TN29 | Pudukottai | TN55 | Tiruverambur | TN81Z |
| Harur, | TN29T | Illuppur | TN55Y | Mayiladuthurai | TN82 |
| Palacode | T29W | Aranthangi | TN55Z | Sirkali | TN82Z |
| Salem ?West | TN30 | Perundurai | TN56 | Vaniyambadi | TN83 |
| Omalur | TN30W | Dindigul | TN57 | Tirupattur | TN83Z |
| Cudalore | TN31 | Oddanchatram | TN57R | Srivilliputhur | TN84 |
| Chidambaram | TN31U | Vedas Andur | TN57V | Sivakasi | TN84Z |
| Virudhachalam | TN31V | Batlagundu | TN57W | Kundrathur | TN85 |
| Neyvali | TN31Y | Palani | TN57Z | Erode West | TN86 |
| Villupuram | TN32 | Madurai South | TN58 | Namakkal South | TN88 |
| Erode East | TN33 | Thirumangalam | TN58Z | Paramathivellur | TN88Z |
| Tiruchencode | TN34 | Madurai North | TN59 | Salem South | TN90 |
| Cobichettipalayam | TN36 | Vadipatti | TN59V | Coimbatore West | TN99 |
How to Register a Motor Vehicle in Tamil Nadu
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 makes registration mandatory for every vehicle in the country. There are various types of vehicle registration services provided by the RTOs in Tamil Nadu. One needs to approach the concerned RTO for vehicle registration.
Vehicle Registration Process in Tamil Nadu
Temporary Registration- The owner of a motor vehicle can get the vehicle registered temporarily with the local RTO. Temporary registration is valid for 1 month and is not renewable. The vehicle dealer applies for temporay registration on behalf of the owner. The vehicle has to be produced before the RTO for temporary registration. The applicant needs to pay the prescribed fee for temporary registration. The process takes a maximum of three days to complete.
Permanent Registration- The vehicle dealer can apply for permanent registration on behalf of the owner. If the vehicle is temporarily registered, the owner can apply for permanent registration. The application is made to the Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The applicable fee needs to be paid by the applicant. The process usually takes three days.
Documents Required For Register a Motor Vehicle in Tamil Nadu
The documents required to get temporary and permanent RC have been mentioned here.
Documents Required to Get A Temporary RC From Tamil Nadu Transport Department
The documents that are required to be submitted with the RTO are as follows.
- Application in Form 20. A copy of the form is also required if the vehicle is with hypothecation.
- Sales certificate in Form 21.
- Vehicle Insurance certificate.
- Road worthiness certificate in Form 22 from the manufacturer.
- Road worthiness certificate in Form 22 A if the body is fabricated.
- Pollution Under Control Certificate.
- Address proof which can be anything such as Ration Card/Election Card/LIC Policy/Affidavit sworn by the applicant before a Notary, Executive or First Class Judicial Magistrate.
- Passport sized photo of the applicant.
- PAN Card or GIR or Form 60 and 61 from the Income Tax Department.
Documents Required to Get A Permanent RC From Tamil Nadu Transport Department
The application for permanent registration needs to be made in Form 20 which is available at the RTO and the official website of the transport department. A duplicate of Form 20 also needs to be submitted if the vehicle is under hypothecation. Other documents required to be submitted with the RTO have been listed here.
- Form-21 sales certificate issued by the dealer.
- Road worthiness certificate in Form 22 from the vehicle manufacturer. If the body is fabricated, the road worthiness certificate should be in Form 22 A.
- Pollution Under Control Certificate.
- Insurance policy certificate.
- Form 60/61 of the IT Department or PAN card or GIR.
- Receipt of Life Time Tax paid for non transport vehicles.
- Permit Sanctioned proccedings for transport vehicles.
- Unladen Weight certificate for transport vehicles.
- Temporary Registration Certificate if the vehicle is temporarily registered.
- Proof of address such as LIC Policy/Voter ID/Ration Card/Affidavit attested by Notary public or Executive or First Class Judicial Magistrate.
- 3 copies of passport sized photographs of the applicant.
How to Get A Duplicate Registration Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
The vehicle owner needs to apply for a duplicate registration certificate if the original RC is lost, stolen or damaged. The application needs to be made in Form 26. The other documents required to be submitted with the RTO along with the duly filled form are as follows.
- Police FIR
- Details of tax payment for the last 4 quarters.
- Valid Tax Token
- Valid Vehicle Insurance Certificate
- Pollution Under Control Certificate
- No Objection Certificate from the financier if the vehicle has been purchased by finance.
The duplicate registration certificate is issued after 5 days. The verification of the antecedents from the original licensing authority is done during this period. Duplicate RC is issued only after successful verification.
How to update Address on Registration Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
If the vehicle owner shifts to a new address, then the address must be changed in the vehicle registration certificate. The RTO needs to be intimated about the address change in Form 33 in duplicate. 3 copies of the form are required if the vehicle is covered by hypothecation. Other documents which need to be submitted along with the form are as follows.
- Vehicle Registration Certificate
- Valid insurance policy document
- Road tax receipt of tax paid up to date
- Pollution Under Control Certificate
- No Objection Certificate from the financier if the vehicle has been purchased on loan.
- Address proof document which can be anything such as Voter ID/LIC Policy/Ration Card/Salary Slip issued by a government office or local body/Birth Certificate/School Certificate/Affidavit attested by an Executive or First Class Judicial Magistrate or Notary Public.
- Passport sized photograph of the applicant.
The application needs to be addressed to the Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The applicant is required to pay the prescribed fee. The address is changed in the registration certificate on the same day when the application is submitted.
How to Transfer of Vehicle Ownership in Tamil Nadu?
In case the vehicle is being sold by the owner to some other person or the vehicle owner wants to transfer the ownership of the vehicle to someone else, the vehicle owner has to make an application informing the? RTO of the transfer. The application needs to be made to the Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The vehicle ownership is transferred to the new person on the same day itself.
Documents Required For Transfer of Vehicle Ownership in Tamil Nadu
The application for notice of transfer has to be made in Form 29 in duplicate. If the vehicle is hypothecated, the application has to be made in Form 30 in duplicate. Other documents needed for ownership transfer have been listed here.
- Registration Certificate of the vehicle.
- Valid insurance certificate of the vehicle.
- PAN card or GIR or Form 60 and 61 of the IT Department.
- Valid tax paid receipt.
- No Objection Certificate from the financier if the vehicle has been purchased under finance.
- Address proof document can be any of the following
- LIC Policy
- Voter ID Card
- Ration Card
- Birth Certificate
- School Certificate
- Affidavit sworn before a Notary public or an Executive or First Class Judicial Magistrate
- Salary slip issued by a government office or local body
- Passport sized photograph of the applicant.
How to Renew Registration?Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
The registration certificate of a non transport vehicle is valid for 15 years. A vehicle owner in Tamil Nadu must get the registration of the vehicle renewed within 60 days from the date of expiration of the RC. The following documents are? required for renewing the vehicle registration.
- Duly filled application Form 25
- Registration certificate of the vehicle
- Valid tax paid receipt
- Pollution Under Control certificate
- Valid vehicle insurance certificate.
The vehicle has to be produced at the RTO for inspection. The application needs to be addressed to Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The registration is renewed on the same day itself.
Re-registration of vehicles in Tamil Nadu
If a vehicle owner has shifted to Tamil Nadu and wants to drive his/her vehicle registered in some other state, then he/she must get the vehicle re-registered in Tamil Nadu. A vehicle registered in another state can be driven in Tamil Nadu for a maximum of 12 months without re-registration. Thus, there is no need for re-registration if the vehicle owner is not going to stay for more than 12 months in the state.
The application for re-registration has to be made in Form 20. Other documents to be submitted are as follows.
- Application in Form 27 for issuing new registration number.
- Application and grant of No Objection Certificate in Form 28.
- Notice for change of address in Form 33.
- Application for intimation and transfer of ownership in Form 30.
- Notice of transfer of ownership in Form 29.
- Police Certificate.
- Valid insurance certificate.
- Receipt of payment of entry tax.
- Pollution Under Control certificate.
- Registration Certificate.
- Road tax receipt.
- No Objection Certificate from the financier if the vehicle has been purchased on loan.
- Address proof documents such as Birth Certificate/LIC Policy/Salary slip issued by a government office or local body/Voter ID/Ration Card/School Certificate/Affidavit attested by an Executive or First Class Judicial Magistrate or Notary public.
- Passport sized photograph.
The applicable fee needs to be paid by the applicant. The vehicle has to be produced before the RTO officials for inspection. It takes about 90 days for the vehicle to be re-registered in the state of Tamil Nadu and issuance of a new registration number.
Process for obtaining NOC from an RTO in Tamil Nadu
Vehicle which is permanently going to some other state from Tamil Nadu required NOC from the concerned RTO so that it can be re-registered in that particular state. The application for NOC needs to be made in Form 28 in triplicate. 4 copies of the form need to be submitted if the vehicle is covered by hypothecation. Other documents required to be submitted with the RTO are as follows.
- Registration Certificate of the vehicle.
- Valid Insurance Certificate of the vehicle.
- Police Certificate.
- Valid tax paid receipt.
- Tax clearance proof in case of transport vehicles.
The applicable fee needs to be paid. The application must be addressed to Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The time taken by the RTO to issue an NOC is usually 30 days.
Process for Endorsment of Hire Purchase Agreement in the RC
The application for endorsement of hire purchase agreement in the registration certificate of the vehicle needs to be made in Form 34 in duplicate. Other required documents are as follows.
- Valid vehicle Registration Certificate
- Valid Pollution Under Control certificate
- Valid tax receipt.
- Valid vehicle Insurance Certificate
The application has to be made to the Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The applicant needs to pay the required fee. The process is completed on the same day by the RTO.
Process for Termination of Hire Purchase/Lease/Hypothecated
The application for termination of hire purchase/lease/hypothecated endorsement needs to be made by the vehicle owner. The required documents are as follows.
- Notice of termination of agreement in Form 35 in duplicate.
- Insurance policy certificate of the vehicle.
- Registration Certificate of the vehicle.
- No Objection Certificate from the financier.
- Pollution Under Control certificate.
- Valid road tax receipt.
The process is completed on the same day. A fee is charged for the service.
Process to inform the RTO about vehicle alteration
If the vehicle is being altered in some way, it is imperative for the vehicle owner to inform the RTO about the same. The documents required are as follows.
- Notice for alteration to a motor vehicle in Form-NAMV(duplicate).
- Registration Certificate of the vehicle.
- Appropriate certificate for the alteration made to the vehicle.
- Insurance certificate of the vehicle.
- Valid tax paid receipt.
- Pollution Under Control Certificate of the vehicle.
The application has to be made to the Regional Transport Officer/Motor Vehicle Inspector Grade 1. The vehicle needs to be taken to the RTO for inspection.
Driving license services
The Tamil Nadu Transport Department issues learner?s license according to certain criteria. The various criteria are as follows
- Persons aged 16 years for driving motor cycle without gear
- Persons aged 18 years for driving motor cycle with gear and light motor vehicle.
- Persons aged 20 years for driving transport vehicle provided he/she has an experience of at least 1 year of driving an LMV.
Documents to be submitted with an RTO in Tamil Nadu for obtaining learner?s license are as follows.
- Application in Form 2.
- Medical Certificate in Form 2 A.
- Application cum declaration of physical fitness in Form 1.
- Proof of age and address such as Ration Card/Passport/Voter ID/LIC Policy/Birth Certificate/School Certificate/Salary slip issued by a government office or local body.
A computerised test is conducted for the applicants. Applicants who pass the test are issued the learner?s license on the same day itself. A fee of Rs 150/- is charged.
A person can apply for a permanent driving license after 30 days from the date of issuance of the learner?s license. The documents required to apply for a permanent drivving license are as follows.
- Duly filled application in Form 4 .
- Form 5 and Form 15 for applicants who have undergone training in driving school.
- Original learner?s license.
- Vehicle documents of the vehicle in which the applicant wants to appear for driving test.
- Consent letter from the vehicle owner whose vehicle would be used for the driving test in case the applicant does not own the vehicle.
- 3 copies of passport sized photographs.
The permanent driving license is issued only after the applicant passes the driving test held at the RTO.
Tamil Nadu RTO FAQs
Q: How to get the forms to apply for vehicle registration or license?
Ans: The forms can be downloaded from the website of the transport department or obtained directly from the RTO.
Q: How should I apply for a VIP registration number in Tamil Nadu?
Ans: You need to apply by filling up Form 20 e-application. The VIP numbers are allocated by way of auction.
Q: How to contact the transport department for queries?
Ans: Contact numbers of RTOs covering various regions in the state are available on the official website of the transport department.
Q: Tamil Nadu RTO Remains Closed on Which Saturdays?
Ans: Every month, on the second and fourth Saturday, Tamil Nadu RTO remains closed. In case there are five Saturdays fall in a month, then the Tamil Nadu RTO opens on the firth Saturday, and that will be a working day for the Tamil Nadu RTO.
Q: How Do I Register A Motor Vehicle at Tamil Nadu RTO? Is There Any Procedure for This?
Ans: Yes, to register your motor vehicle, you need to provide the required documents to the Tamil Nadu RTO. After the completion of the verification process, the Regional Transport office provides you with a registration number. According to the Motor vehicle act, Rule no. 80, you can get your motor vehicle registration number from your Regional Transport Office once the officials verify your document and the vehicle successfully.
Also, one can avail of his or her choice of registration number from the Tamil Nadu RTO through auctions. However, you need to pay the applicable extra charges to obtain your choice of registration number during the registration process.
Q: What Is the Method of Finding the Details of a Vehicle Owner from The Registration Number Provided by The Tamil Nadu RTO?
Ans: There is a simple method to find the details of a vehicle owner for the registered vehicles at Tamil Nadu RTO using the registration number. This can be done by simply sending an SMS to the RTO. You can type VAHAN <space> the vehicle registration number at Tamil Nadu RTO and simply send it to 7738299899 to get the vehicle owner details. This is the simple method to get the vehicle owner details from the Tamil Nadu RTO registration number.
Q: How Many Hours Are Working Hours for Tamil Nadu RTO?
Ans: Like most offices, the Regional Transport Offices of Tamil Nadu also work for 7 hours a day. The working hours of Tamil Nadu RTO are from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Q: What are the different types of motor vehicle registration available in Tamil Nadu?
Ans: There are two types of registration process available in Tamil Nadu. You can choose between a Temporary Registration and Permanent Registration.
Q: How to renew your Registration Certificate in the state of Tamil Nadu?
Ans: You need a valid registration certificate to run your vehicle in Tamil Nadu. If your vehicle registration has expired then you can renew your registration by visiting your RTO office and filing your details in Form no 25. You should file this form and submit the same along with other supporting documents like registration certificate, valid insurance policy, pollution under control certificate. Once you’ve submitted your documents, an on-spot vehicle check will be conducted at the RTO office. Once your vehicle inspection is done, the Registering Authority will provide you a renewed registration number.
Q: How to claim a duplicate registration certificate if the original registration certificate is lost?
Ans: If you have lost your registration certificate, you can easily apply for a duplicate registration certificate. You can approach your nearby Registering Authority and fill out an application along with the required supporting documents. You will also need to pay fees for a duplicate registration certificate with the application.
Q: When should you apply for the renewal of the Registration Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
Ans: It is mandated that you should apply for a registration certificate within the stipulated period from your expiration of registration certificate. Any such delays will result in fines and penalties for the person. If you have a Permanent RC, you will have 15 years of validity in the case of a private vehicle. You can also apply for renewal when your registration certificate is about to expire. Also bear in mind that in case of an expired registration certificate you will not be able to get insurance cover.
Q: How can you re-register your vehicle in Tamil Nadu?
Ans: Re-registration of a vehicle is allowed if you migrate your vehicle from one state to another state. If you have brought your vehicle from another state to Tamil Nadu, then you need to get it re-registered within 12 months starting from the date of arrival. You will need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) along with Form 28. You will also need to fill the Form 27 and submit required documents like registration certificate, tax card, pollution control certificate, insurance certificate along with applicable fees. Once you’ve submitted the documents and fees, you will get a re-registration certificate from the RTO office of Tamil Nadu.
Q: How can you obtain a fitness certificate in Tamil Nadu for your transport vehicle?
Ans: To run your transport vehicle on the roads of Tamil Nadu you need to have a fitness certificate. In absence of such a fitness certificate, you will be liable to pay penalties. To obtain a fitness certificate for your transport vehicle in Tamil Nadu you need to fill the form RS-4.7 to the nearest RTO. You will need to submit applicable fees along with these required documents:
- Registration Certificate
- Road Tax
- Vehicle Insurance Document
- Pollution Control and Check certificate
- Route permit
Once you have submitted these documents and fees, a senior inspector will assess and issue the fitness certificate valid for 1 year.