RTO Surat

Surat, the kaleidoscopic ‘Diamond City of India,’ is a splendid city in Gujarat known for its heritage and industrialisation. Whether you are a local or a visitor, knowing how the Regional Transport Office (RTO) works is important to effectively manage the city's transport requirements so that no one is let down.

Apart from being the administration body with so much power and authority, the Surat RTO also ensures important processes such as vehicle registration, driver’s license issuance, and road safety management.

This guide will give you complete details about its services and why they matter the most.

RTOs in Surat operate to provide the public with necessary information regarding ownership and registration of vehicles, which will, in turn, promote safety on the road. Starting with applications, registration procedures, and road tax payment, these offices serve all the vehicle-related requirements. 

Given below are some of the primary services offered at RTOs in Surat:

1. Vehicle Registration

To get a registration number, one must register new or used vehicles. The Surat RTO provides some of the services for vehicle registration:

• New Vehicle Registration: 

Whether private car or commercial truck registration with RTO is compulsory. After successful registration, a Registration Certificate (RC) is issued. In the case of RC for personal usage vehicles, it is valid for 15 years, while in the case of commercial usage vehicles, it is valid for 2 years

Required Documents: Sale invoice, Insurance, Identity proof, Address proof, and a PUC certificate.

• Temporary and Permanent Registration: 

Dealers register vehicles temporarily for 7 days to 1 month. After this time frame, the owners must obtain permanent registration.

• Transfer of Ownership: 

When a person buys or wants to sell a second-hand car, the ownership of the car has to be transferred from the previous owner to the new owner. The RTO then changes the RC to indicate the ownership change. 

• Renewal of Registration: 

After the first registration lapses, which is in 15 years for personal vehicles, you have to apply for a renewal of the RC to use the vehicle legally.

2. Driving Licences

The Surat RTO carries out the issuance of driving licences depending on specific categories of vehicles and the driver's needs. These include:

• Learner's Licence: 

This is the initial step towards attaining a driving licence. A learner’s licence is issued after the driver has taken and passed a test on traffic rules and signals.

• Permanent Driving Licence: 

Once an individual has held a learner's licence for at least 30 days, they can apply for a permanent one, which requires passing a practical driving test.

• Renewal of Driving Licence: 

Documents like Driving Licences have to be renewed after 20 years from the date of issue or when the holder attains the age of 50, whichever comes first.

• International Driving Permit (IDP): 

International Driving Permits are also issued by the Surat RTO and are entitled to the holder for use in some countries for not more than one year.

• Duplicate Driving Licence: 

Whenever one driver’s licence is misplaced, stolen or broken due to accidents, they have to provide the necessary documents to the RTO and pay a fee for a duplicate one. 

• Licence Endorsements and Upgrades: 

Drivers can also add new categories to their licences, such as upgrading from a private to a commercial vehicle licence.

3. Vehicle Permits

The Surat RTO regulates commercial vehicle permits to ensure they meet legal requirements:

• Commercial Vehicle Permits: 

Commercial vehicles, such as Taxis, Buses, trucks, and many others, can only cross state borders if they have a permit.

• Temporary and National Permits: 

Temporary permits allow short-term vehicle use for specific purposes, while national licenses are required for interstate transport of goods and passengers.

4. Road Tax Collection

When registering a new vehicle or renewing its registration, it is mandatory to pay a road tax. There are two significant types of road tax:

•  Lifetime Road Tax: 

For private vehicles, the tax is charged once at registration, and is based on class and value of the car. 

• Annual Road Tax: 

A tax based on the size and type of vehicle is levied yearly on commercial vehicles. 

5. Fitness Certificate for Vehicles

There are fitness requirements that commercial vehicles should meet before they can operate. The RTO provides the following services:

• Issuance of Fitness Certificate: 

Vehicle fitness certificates are relevant to commercial vehicles, and expired ones are renewed after the completion of prescribed periods, which is dependent on adequate safety checks. 

• Renewal of Fitness Certificate: 

Similar to registration, fitness certificates are also issued for limited durations and timeliness, and renewals are made according to vehicle types and usage.

6. Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC)

There is a pollution under control certificate, valid till prescribed emission limits and fitted in all vehicles. The RTO supervises this process:

• Issuance of PUC: 

Upon passing the emissions test, a PUC certificate is bestowed upon the vehicle, which is usually effective for six months to a year. This emission-limiting measure will help minimize emissions to desirable levels.

• PUC Verification: 

The RTO regularly inspects vehicles on the road to ensure they hold a valid PUC certificate.

7. No Objection Certificates (NOC)

NOC are issued when a vehicle is to be transferred from one state/ RTO to another RTO jurisdiction. This service helps in handing over the vehicle in legal ways:

• Transfer of Vehicle to Another State:

While shifting a vehicle from one state to another, it is imperative to have an NOC from the previous RTO to prevent any registration hassles.

• Inter-RTO Transfer: 

If you are travelling within the same state but to a new RTO area, then you will be required to provide an NOC to transfer your vehicle effortlessly.

8. Hypothecation Services

In the case of a financed vehicle, the lender’s details are added while the vehicle is being registered or the RC is being prepared. These hypothecation services are available in Surat RTO:

• Addition of Hypothecation: 

When a vehicle is purchased via a loan, one of the borrower's documents, which contains the lender's details, is depicted on the RC.

• Removal of Hypothecation: 

If a borrower completely repays the loan of the vehicle, he or she can have the details about the lender omitted in the RC.

9. Enforcement and Road safety measures

The RTO has several functions, and one of them is traffic law enforcement and safe road provision. These involve the following:

• Enforcement of Traffic Laws: 

The RTO upholds traffic rules and rules concerning traffic that have sanctions for contravention, e.g., excess speed driving, drunken driving, and other offences.

•  Road Safety Awareness Programs: 

The RTO also conducts awareness campaigns with other agencies to educate the public on traffic laws and safe driving practices.

These services offered by the Surat RTO help ensure the city’s transportation system runs smoothly while contributing to safer roads for everyone.

A driving licence is mandatory for all drivers in India. Surat’s RTO offices conduct these tests and provide these types of driving licences to the residents. 

• Permanent driving licences
• Learner’s Licence
• Commercial driving licence
• International Driving Licence

Whether temporary or permanent registration, the RTO ensures your vehicle complies with legal requirements, regardless of its type or usage. Here are the two main types of registration handled by the Surat RTO:

1. Temporary Registration

Temporary registration is a short-lived registration plate that a car carries before the formal or permanent registration is undertaken. Most of the time, this is given by the dealer while buying the car as one can use the same in the meantime as one awaits the permanent process to be over.

Key Points: 

• Validity: The temporary registration is valid only for one month from the date the temporary registration was issued.
• Purpose: It allows the vehicle owner to drive the car around until it receives permanent registration. 
• Issuing Authority: There are reasons why car owners may need to use the registered car immediately, hence the need for Duplicates, which most dealers tend to provide, although owners can also get temporary registration directly from the RTO.

If the permanent registration process isn’t completed before the temporary registration expires, the owner can request an extension from the RTO. However, this is only granted under specific circumstances and for a limited time.

2. Permanent Registration

In India, all vehicles must be registered permanently. The registration is usually valid for 15 years for private vehicles and 2 years for commercial vehicles. Once the registration is complete, it is legal for the owner of the vehicle to drive it on public roads.

Key Points: 

• Application Timeline: An application is required for permanent registration and must be submitted before the temporary registration lapses.
• Registration Certificate (RC): The RC is a certificate issued by the RTO to support the vehicle's ownership and is to be kept when driving.
• Validity: Once approved, the registration for personal vehicles is valid for 15 years. It requires renewal every five years. 

In the case of commercial vehicles, registration lasts for two years only and has to be followed up with a renewal regularly.

Permanent registration is compulsory; failure to register your vehicle on time can lead to fines or penalties.

RTO offices in Surat issue multiple types of number plates of number plates. Below is a list of the types:

• Blue number plate
• White number plate
• Red number plate
• Number plate with an upward arrow
• Yellow number plate
• Green number plate
• Red number plate with an emblem of India

When registering new vehicles, RTO offices collect registration fees. In Surat, the following charges apply:

• Registration charges: ₹600 for all vehicles
• Temporary registration charges (validity: 30 days): ₹1200 – ₹1500
• Hypothecation charges: ₹1500 (applicable if the car is financed)
• FasTag charges: ₹600
• Number plate charges (including HSRP plates): ₹230 - ₹400
• Parking fee/State Development Charges: ₹4000 (for vehicles costing more than ₹4 lakh) ₹2000 (for vehicles costing under ₹4 lakh)

As a vehicle owner, it’s crucial to pay road taxes regularly. The RTO offices in Surat collect road taxes, following a structure similar to the one in road tax in Gujarat. Below is a summary of the road tax applicable in Surat:

For Two-wheelers

• Motorcycle: 6% of the vehicle's price

For Four-wheelers

• Four-wheeler: 6% of the vehicle's price
• Tractor: 3% of the vehicle's price
• Auto Rickshaw: 2.5% of the vehicle's price
• Seating capacity up to 3: 2.5% of the vehicle's price
• Seating capacity of more than 3 and up to 6: 6% of the vehicle's price

Absolutely, as per the provisions made under the Motor Vehicles Act of 198, for,​​ any vehicle holder in Surat, it is mandatory to have motor insurance. In Gujarat, people can obtain vehicle insurance either online or offline. Insurance for vehicles generally falls into two main types:

• Comprehensive Insurance: Such a policy provides the benefit of covering both the insured and third-party losses. It ensures a policyholder’s vehicle, any bodily injury to the policyholder, property or any other external party, in addition to artificial and natural calamities.
• Third-party Insurance: This mainly covers the externals such as injuries, disfigurements, permanent incapacity, or death attributes caused by other persons. It also deals with compensation factors where individuals are incapacitated from accidents resulting in low or lack of earnings to families.

It is against the law to drive a vehicle without the required insurance coverage, and doing so can attract penalties like having one’s driver’s allowances or suspensions in car registration.

Documenting any vehicle transactions like purchasing a new or second-hand vehicle at the Surat RTO Registries is important. One needs to submit a set of documents for the authenticity of the vehicle and its owner. A comprehensive description of the above documents is provided below:

1. Form 20 – Application for Registration of a New Vehicle

This form is compulsory for obtaining registration on any vehicle and bears all the automobile details.

2. Sale Certificate (Form 21)

The dealer usually issues this kind of document and is evidence of a legal vehicle purchase. It shows the date of purchase and the particulars of the purchaser and seller.

3. Roadworthiness Certificate (Form 22)

It is a certificate issued by the automotive manufacturers that attests that the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act regarding the safety of the automotive vehicle used on the road are fully complied with.

4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate

Registration shall also be accompanied by proof of insurance. Such insurance should at least cover third-party liability, but it is also acceptable to have more comprehensive insurance.

5. Temporary Registration Certificate (where necessary)

This must be provided when applying for permanent registration if the dealer has included a temporary registration number.

6. PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate)

The Pollution Under Control Certificate is issued if and only if the vehicle meets the prescribed limits of emission standards.

7. Invoice from the Dealer

The original invoice from the vehicle dealer is required to validate the purchase details, including the price and vehicle model.

8. Road Tax Payment Receipt

A receipt proving the payment of road tax is necessary for registration. The vehicle's type and value determine the road tax amount.

9. Identification of the Physical Person Behind the Vehicle

One of the following documents must be submitted as identification proof:

•  Aadhaar card 
•  Voter ID card 
•  PAN card 
•  Passport 
•  Driving licence 

10. Address Proof of the Vehicle Owner

Proof of the vehicle owner’s address in Surat is required. Accepted documents include:

• Aadhaar card 
• Voter ID card 
• Passport 
• Utility bills (electricity, water, gas) which the owner pays 
• Lease contract (if renting a residence) 

11. Passport-Size Photographs

Recent passport-size photographs are required for documentation purposes.

12. Customs Clearance Certificate (for imported Vehicles)

For imported vehicles, a customs clearance certificate must be submitted, proving that the vehicle has been legally imported and all duties have been paid.

13. PAN Card or Form 60/61

If the vehicle costs more than ₹50,000, a PAN card is required for tax purposes. If the buyer doesn’t have a PAN card, Form 60/61 must be submitted.

14. Bank NOC (if financed)

If the vehicle has been purchased with a loan, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the lender or bank is necessary to register the vehicle under the owner's name.

One of the most recent and major incident that happened in Surat is:

On Thursday 25th September 2024, an unfortunate road accident occurred near Mota Borsara village, along National Highway 48, within the Kosamba police jurisdiction. In Rajkot rural police head constable, Digvijaysinh Rathod was killed on the spot while pursuing an accident in which three prime police officers were also on patrol. 

This unfortunate accident highlights the vulnerability of road users on busy highways, and the incident is currently under scrutiny.

In the month of March 2024, Surat launched some road safety campaigns in an effort to bring down the rate of accidents while advocating for responsible driving habits. They have campaigns designed not only towards the drivers but also the pedestrians, addressing problems such as speeding, wearing helmets and seat belts and normal road conduct.

This campaign is not new as they it is a part of efforts to create safe roads as a component of the development plan of the city of Surat which prioritises road safety.