Vahan and RTO codes: find your office, plate code and vehicle record

This pillar collects everything about RTO codes and offices: what the letters on a plate mean, which office handles your area, and how the Vahan database ties them together. Type the start of any plate below to see the state it belongs to.

Vahan explained: how does it link every RTO?

Vahan is the national vehicle registration system built by NIC for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Every RTO, from Udaipur to Tirunelveli, records new registrations, transfers, taxes and fitness data in it. That is why a vehicle registered in one state can be looked up from anywhere in India.

What the Vahan record holds

Each entry stores the registration number, chassis and engine numbers, vehicle class, fuel type, owner details, tax validity, insurance, PUC, hypothecation and any blacklist flag. RTO staff update it at every service you apply for, so the record is a running history of the vehicle.

Vahan and Sarathi are different

Vahan handles vehicles. Its sister system Sarathi handles driving and learner licences. Both sit on the Parivahan Sewa platform, which is why one login page leads to both. Licence questions are covered in our DL status guide.

What does an RTO actually do for you?

An RTO, or Regional Transport Office, registers vehicles, collects road tax, issues permits and fitness certificates, and conducts licence tests. For a full explanation of the term, see our RTO full form page. Most services now start online, with a visit only for tests and inspections.

Services for vehicle owners

Owners go to the RTO for new registration, duplicate RC, change of address, hypothecation entries and removal, ownership transfer, NOC for another state, and fitness renewal. All of these are applied for through Vahan.

Services for drivers

Learner licence tests, driving tests, licence renewal and international driving permits are handled at the same office through Sarathi. Photo and biometric capture also happen at the RTO counter.

How do RTO codes on a plate work?

An Indian registration has four blocks. The state code has two letters, the RTO number has two digits, the series has one to three letters, and the last block is a number of up to four digits. So in TG 09 AB 1234, TG is Telangana and 09 is the Khairatabad office.

Why codes change over time

States reorganise districts, so RTO numbers are added or split. A new office gets a fresh number, while vehicles registered at the old office keep their existing plates. That is why two neighbours in one town can carry different codes.

Special series

The BH series starts with the year, then BH, and is not tied to one state. See our BH registration guide. Diplomatic, defence and temporary plates follow separate formats.

Which two-letter code belongs to which state?

Each state and union territory has one two-letter code, set by central notification. The table below lists the states that come up most on this page. For the complete list, use the decoder above or our state code page.

Legacy codes you may still see

Besides TS, older plates may show OR for Odisha (now OD) and UA for Uttarakhand (now UK). These remain legal on the vehicles that carry them.

Union territory codes

UTs such as Delhi (DL), Chandigarh (CH) and Puducherry (PY) follow the same pattern, with their own office numbers.

How do you search a vehicle by registration number on Vahan?

Vahan’s citizen services include a vehicle details search that works for any Indian registration. You log in with a mobile OTP, enter the number and read a summary record. The same data appears in the mParivahan app. Follow the steps below.

1. Open the Vahan citizen services. Go to vahan.parivahan.gov.in or the mParivahan app and choose the vehicle details search.
2. Log in with your mobile. Enter your mobile number and the one-time password sent to it.
3. Type the registration number. Enter the full number without spaces, for example TG09AB1234, and the captcha.
4. Read the record. Check the registering RTO, vehicle class, fuel, dates and insurance validity.
5. Act on what you find. If data is wrong or missing, contact the registering RTO with your RC.

What the summary shows

You usually see the registering authority, registration date, vehicle maker and model, fuel, fitness or tax validity, insurance expiry and PUC status. The owner name is partly masked. Our RTO vehicle information guide explains each field.

When the search is useful

Run it before buying a used vehicle, after a minor accident to confirm insurance, or to check that your own RC data is correct.

What if a Vahan search shows no record?

A blank result usually means a typing error, a very new registration that has not synced, or an old record that was never migrated. Retype the number without spaces, wait a few days for new vehicles, and then approach the registering RTO.

Common typing mistakes

Mixing up O and 0, or I and 1, is the most frequent cause. Also check that you used the current state code: a TS vehicle must be searched as TS, not TG.

When to visit the RTO

If the RC is genuine but no record appears after a week, take the original RC and ID to the RTO and ask them to update Vahan. Keep the acknowledgement they give you.

What is RTA Citizen?

RTA Citizen is the citizen services platform of the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department. It covers vehicle registration, licences, tax payments, permits and vehicle searches for AP-registered vehicles. The AP citizen charter lists it at aprtacitizen.epragathi.org, alongside the department site aptransport.org.

Why AP uses its own portal

Andhra Pradesh built its own transport software and connects it to the national register. That lets AP keep state-specific services, such as its own tax rules, while Vahan still holds a copy of each record.

What you can do there

You can search vehicles, pay tax, apply for registration services and check application status. Licence services for AP are also listed on the same platform.

How does the RTA Citizen app work?

The RTA Citizen app is the mobile version of the AP transport services. It offers the same vehicle search and application tracking as the website. Install it only from the official app store listing and check that the publisher is the AP Transport Department. Our AP Citizen app guide covers installation.

Logging in

Most searches work without an account. Applications and payments need your mobile number and an OTP.

Running an RTA Citizen app vehicle registration search

An RTA Citizen app vehicle registration search needs only the number, typed without spaces. For AP vehicles it also shows state tax status. For other states’ vehicles, use Vahan or mParivahan instead.

How do you do an AP vehicle registration search?

An AP vehicle registration search works on RTA Citizen, on Vahan and in mParivahan. Choose the vehicle search option, type the full registration number and read the record. The state portal often shows AP-specific fields such as tax validity. AP vehicle information and an AP vehicle search mean the same lookup.

Old AP district codes

Vehicles registered before 2019 carry district codes such as AP 05. Since February 2019, new AP vehicles get the state-wide AP 39 series, and AP 40 was added in 2023.

Vehicles from undivided Andhra Pradesh

Vehicles registered in Hyderabad before 2014 still carry AP codes even though they are now in Telangana. Search them on Vahan or the Telangana portal.

Which AP transport registration number search options exist?

For an AP transport registration number search you have three routes: the RTA Citizen website, the RTA Citizen app, and the national Vahan or mParivahan search. All three read the same underlying record, so pick the one that loads fastest for you.

Andhra Pradesh registration number search by phone

An Andhra Pradesh registration number search from a phone is easiest in mParivahan, because the virtual RC can be saved once found.

What not to rely on

Third-party apps that copy AP data may be out of date. Confirm anything important on the official portal.

What does the AP RTA Citizen app vehicle details screen show?

The AP RTA Citizen app vehicle details screen shows the registration number, vehicle class, maker, model, fuel, registration date, tax validity, fitness validity for transport vehicles, and the masked owner name. It is the quickest way to confirm that a vehicle is genuinely registered in AP.

Is it AP vehicle details or RC details?

AP vehicle details and RC details AP describe the same record. The RC is the printed certificate; the details screen is a live view of it from the database.

Rto vehicle information AP for transport vehicles

For buses, taxis and goods vehicles, RTO vehicle information AP also lists permit and fitness dates, which matter for anyone hiring the vehicle.

How do you check RC details AP and get an AP RC download?

To check RC details AP, run the vehicle search above. For an AP RC download, the simplest route is the mParivahan app or DigiLocker: add the vehicle, verify with the OTP to the registered mobile, and save the digital RC, which is valid for checks on the road.

Smart card RC in AP

Andhra Pradesh issues RCs as smart cards. If you need a fresh card, apply for a duplicate RC on RTA Citizen and pay the fee shown on the portal.

If the RC does not appear in DigiLocker

The mobile number in the record may be outdated. Update it through the RTO, then try again.

Can you see AP vehicle owner details online?

Only partly. AP vehicle owner details in a public search show a masked name and the registering office. Full vehicle owner details in Andhra Pradesh, such as the address, are released only to the owner or authorised agencies. Our AP vehicle registration number owner details guide covers what each portal shows.

After an accident or hit-and-run

Note the number and report it to the police. They can obtain full owner details from Vahan for the case.

Before buying a used vehicle

Ask the seller for the original RC and match the masked name, chassis digits and RTO with the online record.

What is a TG number plate?

A TG number plate is a Telangana registration issued under the TG code, which MoRTH notified in a gazette on 12 March 2024. It replaced TS for new registrations. Our TG number plate which state page and the TG passing which state guide explain the change in more detail.

Do TS plates need to change?

No. Vehicles registered as TS before the change keep their numbers. Only new registrations get TG.

Hyderabad office codes

Hyderabad offices include TG 07 Attapur, TG 08 Medchal and TG 09 Khairatabad. The same office numbers were used earlier with TS. See our RTO office Hyderabad guide for the full city list.

How does TS vehicle registration work now?

TS vehicle registration is the older name for Telangana registration. The process is the same today, but new numbers are issued as TG. The dealer files the application, you pay road tax and fees, and the RTO allots the number once checks are complete.

Choosing a fancy number

Telangana auctions special numbers online. See our RTO fancy number booking Telangana guide for how bidding works.

TS registration number on old documents

Insurance, loan and RC papers issued before March 2024 still show the TS registration number. They remain valid; nothing needs to be reissued.

How do you do a TS transport registration number search?

A TS transport registration number search works on the Telangana transport portal, on Vahan and in mParivahan. Enter the number exactly as it appears on the plate, including TS or TG. The result shows the registering office and the main validity dates.

TG registration number search

A TG registration number search follows the same steps. If a TG search fails for a recent vehicle, the record may still be syncing; try again after a few days.

Records from before 2014

Vehicles registered in Hyderabad before Telangana was formed still carry AP codes. Search those numbers as AP.

How do you check TS vehicle details?

To see TS vehicle details, use the Vahan citizen search or mParivahan, or the Telangana transport department portal. Our TS vehicle owner details guide explains what the public record shows and what stays private.

TS registration number checks before purchase

Check the TS registration number against the chassis number stamped on the vehicle, and confirm that there is no active loan entry.

Tax status

Transport vehicles in Telangana pay periodic tax. The portal shows whether tax is paid up to date.

Where is vehicle registration status Telangana shown?

Vehicle registration status Telangana is shown against your application number on the Telangana transport portal. You can also follow a new registration on Vahan once the dealer has filed it. Our vehicle application guide covers RC and card delivery tracking.

What each stage means

“Pending at dealer” means the dealer has not completed the file. “Approved” means the number is allotted. “Dispatched” means the RC card is on its way.

If status is stuck

Ask the dealer first, because most delays come from missing documents in the dealer’s file. If the file is complete, contact the RTO with the application number.

What does a Telangana car number plate look like?

A Telangana car number plate for a new private car reads TG, then the RTO number, series and number, in black on white. It must be a high security registration plate with the IND hologram and laser code. Commercial cars use black on yellow, and electric cars use green.

Older cars

Cars registered between 2014 and March 2024 show TS. Cars from before 2014 may still show AP. All three are valid if the RTO record matches.

Wrong fonts and stickers

Decorative fonts, names or logos on the plate are not allowed and can attract a challan. Only the approved plate format is legal.

How to check permanent registration number with TR number?

To find out how to check permanent registration number with TR number, search the temporary number or the application number on Vahan or your state portal. Once the RTO approves the file, the record shows the permanent number. Temporary registration lasts one month under section 43 of the MV Act.

Where to find the application number

It is printed on the dealer’s temporary certificate and on the tax receipt. Keep both until the permanent RC arrives.

When the month is nearly over

Ask the dealer to follow up with the RTO. Driving on an expired TR number is driving an unregistered vehicle. See our temporary number plate guide for the rules.

What changes at the RTO for an EV 4 wheeler?

An EV 4 wheeler is registered the same way as any car, but it gets a green number plate, notified by MoRTH on 7 August 2018. MoRTH also proposed waiving RC and number fees for battery vehicles in a 2021 draft. Check the fee your RTO shows before paying.

Road tax and subsidies

Many states cut or waive road tax for electric cars for a set period. Incentives change often, so see our EV subsidy guide for the current schemes.

PUC is not needed

Battery electric vehicles have no tailpipe, so they do not need a pollution under control certificate. Hybrids with a petrol engine still do.

Which office is RJ 27 RTO?

RJ 27 RTO is the Udaipur office in Rajasthan. It registers vehicles from Udaipur district and issues licences there. Office location, timings and services are covered in our Udaipur RTO guide.

Reading an RJ 27 plate

A plate starting RJ 27 tells you the vehicle was first registered in Udaipur. The owner may live elsewhere now; the code does not change when the owner moves within the state.

Moving out of Rajasthan

If you move to another state for more than a year, you need an NOC from RJ 27 and re-registration in the new state, unless the vehicle is on BH series.

Which area does TN 03 RTO cover?

TN 03 RTO is Chennai North East, at Tondiarpet. It handles vehicles and licences for residents of its north Chennai area. Chennai has many offices, so match your address to the right one before you visit.

Other Chennai offices

Chennai offices are numbered across the TN 01 to TN 18 range and beyond, with new offices added as the city grows. Your RC shows the office that registered your vehicle.

Changing address within Chennai

If you move to an area served by another office, apply for a change of address on Vahan. The registration number stays the same.

Where is RTO Hoshiarpur?

RTO Hoshiarpur in Punjab uses the code PB 07. The RTO office Hoshiarpur handles registration, licences, tax and permits for the district. Timings listed online differ, so call or check the Punjab transport department site before visiting.

PB 07 plates

A PB 07 plate means the vehicle was registered at Hoshiarpur. Nearby sub-divisions such as Dasuya have their own codes.

Online services in Punjab

Punjab uses Vahan and Sarathi, so most applications start on parivahan.gov.in. The visit is for tests, inspection or document checks.

Is CG17 RTO the same as RTO Jagdalpur?

Yes. CG17 RTO is the RTO Jagdalpur office, which serves Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. Vehicles registered there carry plates starting CG 17.

Services at Jagdalpur

The office handles new registrations, transfers, permits and licence tests for the Bastar area. Chhattisgarh services start on Vahan and Sarathi.

Moving within Chhattisgarh

If you move to Raipur or another district, update the address on Vahan. The CG 17 number stays with the vehicle.

How does an RTO Raipur vehicle search work?

An RTO Raipur vehicle search is a normal Vahan search for a CG 04 number, since CG 04 is the Raipur office. Enter the number on Vahan or mParivahan to see the record. Office details are in our RTO office Raipur guide.

Raipur numbers in other series

Raipur vehicles registered in different years may show different series letters after CG 04, but the office code stays the same.

Checking challans at the same time

Vahan shows if challans are pending. To see and pay them, use the e-Challan portal described in our e challan guide.

Which district is MP 41 RTO?

MP 41 RTO is the Dewas office in Madhya Pradesh. It covers Dewas district. Addresses listed by different sites vary, so check the MP transport department list. More detail is in our MP 41 RTO code guide.

MP 41 plates on other vehicles

A Dewas-registered vehicle keeps MP 41 even if the owner moves within Madhya Pradesh. Only a move to another state needs re-registration.

Services in Dewas

Registration, transfers, licences and permits are applied for online on Vahan and Sarathi, with the Dewas office handling tests and inspections.

What is the RTO Tirunelveli registration number?

The Tirunelveli registration number code is TN 72. The RTO Tirunelveli office registers private vehicles from the district, and state transport buses of the Tirunelveli region are also registered under TN 72.

TN 72 for buses

Many TNSTC buses in the region carry TN 72 N series plates, which is why the code is familiar across south Tamil Nadu.

Other offices nearby

Some taluks in the district have unit offices with their own codes. Check your RC to see which office registered your vehicle.

Which code does the RTO office Rajahmundry use?

The RTO office Rajahmundry registered vehicles under the old East Godavari code AP 05. Since 2019, new vehicles across Andhra Pradesh get the state-wide AP 39 series, and AP 40 from 2023, so a new Rajahmundry vehicle will not get AP 05.

Old AP 05 vehicles

Existing AP 05 plates stay valid. The record on Vahan still shows the original office.

Services in Rajahmundry

Use RTA Citizen for applications and tax, and visit the office only for inspections or tests.

Which code covers the Valasaravakkam RTO office?

Valasaravakkam falls under TN 10, Chennai South West. Searches for the Valasaravakkam RTO office usually mean this office. For timings and services, see our TN10 RTO guide.

Checking your office

Your RC shows the registering office. If you moved into Valasaravakkam from another part of Chennai, your old code stays on the plate.

Licence services

Learner and driving tests for the area are booked on Sarathi with the TN 10 office selected.

What is the Jayanagar RTO number?

The Jayanagar RTO number is KA 05, the Bengaluru South office. Published lists say the office has moved from Jayanagar to Jayaprakash Nagar, but the code is unchanged. Details are in our KA 05 which registration guide.

Why the name stuck

Many residents still call it the Jayanagar RTO because the office was there for years. Use the current address when you travel.

Bengaluru’s other offices

Bengaluru has several offices, from KA 01 onwards. Each covers a part of the city, so check which one serves your address.

New RTO Thane or the older office: which one do you need?

Searches for new RTO Thane usually mean the main MH 04 Thane office, listed near Central Jail, Thane, which covers Thane, Bhiwandi and Shahapur talukas. We could not confirm a separate new address, so check the Maharashtra transport department office list. Our MH04 city name page has more.

Thane areas served by other offices

Navi Mumbai is served by MH 43 at Nerul, and Kalyan has its own office. Your address decides which office handles you.

Palghar

Palghar district was once under the Thane office. It now has its own arrangements, so Palghar residents should check before visiting Thane.

How does MH 46 vehicle registration work for Kharghar?

MH 46 vehicle registration is handled by the Panvel office at Kalamboli, which covers Kharghar to Panvel and the Panvel, Uran, Khalapur and Karjat talukas. So a vehicle bought by a Kharghar resident is usually registered as MH 46. See our MH 46 passing guide.

Kharghar or Nerul?

Some Navi Mumbai nodes fall under MH 43 Nerul. Check your address on the Maharashtra transport department site. Our MH RTO guide summarises the state’s offices.

Moving between the two

Moving from Kharghar to Vashi does not change your number. Update the address on Vahan.

What is the challan price for common offences?

The challan price for traffic offences is set as a range in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, and each state notifies the exact compounding amount. The table lists central limits for common offences. Our traffic fines guide covers every section.

Why your challan may differ

States notify compounding amounts inside these limits, and the Act allows yearly increases of up to 10%. The amount on your challan is the one that applies.

Where to pay

Pay on the e-Challan portal or your state police site. The RTO does not set the fine, but it can hold services while challans are pending.

What is the DL challan price and learning licence fine?

The DL challan price for driving without a valid licence is up to ₹5,000 under section 181. Driving while disqualified is up to ₹10,000. A learning licence fine arises when a learner drives alone or without L plates, which can be treated as driving without a valid licence. See our without licence fine guide.

Learner rules to follow

A learner must have a licensed driver beside them and show the L sign front and back. Following these rules avoids the fine.

Licence not carried

Showing your licence in DigiLocker or mParivahan counts as carrying it. Keep the app logged in on your phone.

How much is a high speed challan?

A high speed challan for a car or other light motor vehicle is ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 under section 183. For medium and heavy vehicles it is ₹2,000 to ₹4,000. A repeat offence can also lead to the licence being impounded.

Speed cameras

Most over-speeding challans now come from fixed or mobile cameras. The challan shows the recorded speed, the limit, the place and a photo.

Checking speed limits

Limits differ by road and vehicle type and are notified by states. Watch the signboards, especially on expressways where limits change between stretches.

What do the challan new rules change?

The challan new rules most people search for are the penalties brought in from 1 September 2019, along with camera-based challans and automatic court referral for unpaid fines. For the latest changes, see our new traffic rules guide.

Digital evidence

Camera challans must carry evidence such as a photo with time and place. Check it before you pay.

Unpaid challans

Challans left unpaid can move to a virtual court. Some states also block RTO services such as transfers until they are cleared.

Licence test changes

Since 1 July 2021, people who pass the test at an accredited driver training centre are exempt from the RTO driving test. Ask the centre for proof of its accreditation before you pay.

What extra RTO paperwork do commercial vehicles need?

Commercial vehicles need more than an RC and insurance. They need a permit for their route or area, a fitness certificate renewed at set intervals, tax paid on time, and a yellow plate with black letters. The legal basis is in our motor vehicle act guide.

Penalty for a missing permit

Using a vehicle without a permit can attract up to ₹10,000 and/or jail under section 192A, much more than most private-car offences.

Fitness renewal

Fitness tests are booked on Vahan and done at the RTO or an automated testing station, depending on your state.

How does RTO online name transfer work and what does it cost?

RTO online name transfer is applied for on Vahan. The seller and buyer sign Form 29 and Form 30, the buyer uploads them with insurance and PUC, pays the fee and books a slot if needed. Our form 29 and 30 guide has the steps, and RC transfer fees covers the cost.

What the cost depends on

The transfer cost depends on the state, the vehicle class and whether the vehicle moves between states. The fee is shown before you pay on Vahan.

Insurance after transfer

Transfer the insurance policy to the buyer’s name within the insurer’s deadline. Our vehicle insurance guide explains how to download the policy.

Where can you get the Karnataka motor vehicle rules PDF?

The Karnataka motor vehicle rules PDF refers to the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, framed under the central MV Act. The rules have been amended many times, such as the 2015 helmet rule. Look for the current consolidated text on the Karnataka Transport Department website or the state gazette.

Why version dates matter

Copies shared online are often outdated. Check that the PDF includes recent amendments before you rely on it.

Central rules come first

Karnataka’s rules sit under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Where the central rules cover a subject, they apply in Karnataka too.

Are there official RTO logo images?

No single national RTO logo exists. Each state transport department uses its own emblem, often with the State Emblem of India, whose use is restricted by law. RTO logo images found online should not be printed on plates, stickers or private documents.

Stickers on cars

“RTO” or government stickers on private cars do not give any privilege and may attract a challan. Remove them.

For reports and presentations

If you need a department logo for an official purpose, ask the department. Do not copy it from image search.

When do you need an RTO photo?

An RTO photo is usually your photograph for a licence application. Under Sarathi, the photo and signature are uploaded online or captured at the RTO during the test. Use a recent passport-style photo with a plain background.

Photo of the RTO office

If you were searching for photos of an RTO building to find it, use the office address from the state transport department list and a map app.

Vehicle photos

Some applications, such as alterations, need photos of the vehicle. The Vahan form lists the angles required.

How do you find the right RTO office near you?

Your address decides your RTO. Find the office that covers your area on the state transport department site, or use our RTO office near me guide. For a phone number, see our Vahan customer care number page.

Before you travel

Check the timings, book the slot online, and carry original documents plus copies. Many services cannot be done without a booked appointment.

Which RTO pages on this site cover your district?

This silo has pages for individual codes and offices, from Udaipur to Tirunelveli. Start from the decoder at the top, or return to Home to browse other services.