All the work about the registration of vehicles, driving licenses, taxation, issue, and renewal of fitness certificates, etc. is carried out by these RTO offices. To keep mobility safe and comfortable for the public on roads, an effective road transport management system has been established in Punjab by its transport department.
Every RTO has to carry out the activities and functions which are related to motor vehicles according to the act of 1988, the motor vehicles act. The Department of motor vehicles is playing the role of enforcing different acts. Every city, as well as state, has its own RTO.
RTO Punjab is the organization of the government of India which is established for the maintenance of driver’s database and vehicles registration database. RTO is also known as a regional transportation organization of vehicles where they need to offer reliable, fair, and flexible assessment procedures to the candidate.
The Punjab Transport Department operates under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 (Section 213). Punjab’s Transport Department is founded for the implementation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1924. The department has set up RTOs in different cities of the state to decentralize the administration and be closer to the public.
- To ensure that the provisions of all the rules and regulations stated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the state motor vehicles guidelines are properly enforced.
- To levy and collect tax according to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- To facilitate the development and growth of road transportation by managing respective permits.
To comply with the functional requirements mentioned above, all RTOs, including the RTO in Punjab, perform the following main activities, as per the vehicles act.
Punjab RTO Code List:
Punjab has the following Regional Transport Offices. Choose any of the following cities to get all the necessary details of the respective Regional Transport Offices. You can get details such as the Regional Transport Office Address, Phone Number & Email ID.
PB-01 |
Chandigarh |
PB-39 |
Rajpura |
PB-02 |
Amritsar |
PB-40 |
Rampura Phul |
PB-03 |
Bathinda |
PB-41 |
Sultanpur Lodhi |
PB-04 |
Faridkot |
PB-42 |
Samana |
PB-05 |
Faridkot |
PB-43 |
Samrala |
PB-06 |
Gurdaspur |
PB-44 |
Sunam |
PB-07 |
Hoshiarpur |
PB-45 |
Talwandi Sabo |
PB-08 |
Jalandhar |
PB-46 |
Tarn Taran |
PB-09 |
Kapurthala |
PB-47 |
Zira |
PB-10 |
Ludhiana |
PB-48 |
Amloh |
PB-11 |
Patiala |
PB-49 |
Khamano |
PB-12 |
Ropar |
PB-50 |
Budhlada |
PB-13 |
Sangrur |
PB-51 |
Jhunir / Sardulgarh |
PB-14 |
Ajnala |
PB-52 |
Bassi Pathana |
PB-15 |
Abohar |
PB-53 |
Malout |
PB-16 |
Anandpur Sahib |
PB-54 |
Mukerian |
PB-17 |
Baba Bakala |
PB-55 |
Payal |
PB-18 |
Batala |
PB-56 |
Raikot |
PB-19 |
Barnala |
PB-57 |
Bhulath |
PB-20 |
Balachaur |
PB-58 |
Dera Baba Nanak |
PB-21 |
Dasuya |
PB-59 |
Dhuri |
PB-22 |
Fazilka |
PB-60 |
Gidderbaha |
PB-23 |
Fatehgarh Sahib |
PB-61 |
Jalalabad |
PB-24 |
Garhshankar |
PB-62 |
Jaitu |
PB-25 |
Jagraon |
PB-63 |
Khadoor Sahib |
PB-26 |
Khanna |
PB-64 |
Moonak |
PB-27 |
Kharar |
PB-65 |
Mohali |
PB-28 |
Malerkotla |
PB-66 |
Nihal Singh Wala |
PB-29 |
Moga |
PB-67 |
Shahkot |
PB-30 |
Muktsar |
PB-68 |
Dhar Kalan |
PB-31 |
Mansa |
PB-69 |
Bagha Purana |
PB-32 |
Nawanshahr |
PB-70 |
Dera Bassi |
PB-33 |
Nakodar |
PB-71 |
Chamkaur Sahib |
PB-34 |
Nabha |
PB-72 |
Patran |
PB-35 |
Pathankot |
PB-73 |
Tappa Mandi |
PB-36 |
Phagwara |
PB-74 |
Nangal |
PB-37 |
Phillaur |
PB-75 |
Lehra |
PB-38 |
Patti |
PB-76 |
Ahmedgarh |
PB-77 |
Guru Har Sahai |
PB-79 |
KOTKAPURA |
PB-78 |
BANGA |
PB-80 |
MAUR |
Punjab Traffic Police Challan & Traffic Fines:
The implementation of these traffic laws (decrees, rules, codes of practice, and acts) can significantly reduce the number of road accidents. These laws are enforced by issuing challans in the names of lawbreakers, motivating them to absorb the rules.
The latest traffic rule violation penalties were updated in 2019. These include more than 50 violations and penalty details on first and subsequent attempts respectively. Here is a look at the Punjab traffic challan rate list (2022).
Violation |
1st Offence |
Subsequent Offence |
4-wheeler without seat belts/driver not using the seat belt |
Rs. 1,000 |
Rs. 1,000 |
Disobeying signal of police officer regulating traffic |
Rs. 1,000 |
Rs. 1,500 |
Smoking while driving your vehicle |
Rs. 500 |
Rs. 1,000 |
Wrong parking in the city area |
Rs. 500 |
Rs. 1,000 |
Disobeying traffic signal |
Rs. 500 |
Rs. 1,000 |
Driving your LMV above the speed limit |
Rs. 1,000 |
Rs. 2,000 |
Without / expired third party insurance of transport vehicle |
Rs. 2,000 |
Rs. 4,000 |
Use of mobile phones while driving |
Rs. 2,000 |
Rs. 10,000 |
Honking needlessly or continuously, or honking in a prohibited area |
Rs. 1,000 |
Rs. 2,000 |
How to Get Car Insurance in Punjab?
You can buy car insurance in Punjab online. Obtaining third party insurance for a vehicle is mandatory as per the law. Third party car insurance provides coverage against any damages caused by the owner’s vehicle to a third party. Whereas, comprehensive vehicle insurance covers damage caused to the vehicle, the driver as well as the third party.
Buying insurance online is quick and easy, and you can compare multiple plans on a single screen. An insurance aggregator’s website like PolicyBachat is the best place to start your search for the right insurance plan.
You can opt for the most basic third-party insurance that offers protection if the damage is caused to a third person or property by your vehicle. Or you can also choose a comprehensive motor vehicle insurance policy, which offers added protection from damage caused due to theft, fire, natural disasters, etc.
Daily Functions of Punjab RTO:
The main function of RTO is to organize the vehicles number plates, register the driver with a driving license, and sell the registrations. And with this, RTO also has the duty of inspecting the insurance of vehicles and testing of pollution. You can contact the RTO head office in Punjab at 0183-2565244.
1. Registration related work:
- Temporary Registration of the vehicle
- Permanent Registration of the vehicle
- Renewal of Vehicle Registration Certificate
- Issue of duplicate Registration of certificate
- Change of address in the Registration Certificate
- Endorsement/termination of the hire-purchase agreement
- Issuing national permits
- Permits to stage carriage
- Collecting road taxes
- Accepting various fees and penalties.
2. Driving License:
The Punjab RTO conducts the tests for issuing various driving licenses in the state. Issues the following type of licenses basis the tests:
- Issue learner's driving license
- Issue permanent driving license
- Renewal of driving license
- Adding another class to driving license
3. Renewal and Issue of vehicle permits for Commercial Use
The Motor Vehicles Act and Rules empower the regional transport authorities and give them the power to discharge these duties, one of which is granting permits. The RTO issues the following permits:
- Tourist Vehicle permit
- National permit
4. Collection of Fees and Taxes
The RTOs are authorized to collect fees for services on vehicle registration and driving license. Tax collection centers of 11 have been established in the state to collect tax from vehicles entering Punjab from other states.
5. Issue of Vehicle Fitness Certificate.
Key Features and Activities of Punjab RTOs are listed as follows:
Road safety: One of the primary duties of the RTO is to promote road safety. Punjab RTOs conduct road safety seminars in different regions to educate the general public and newbie drivers on how to drive safely on Indian roads.
No objection certificate: If you wish to transfer your vehicle from one state to another, you need to get a no objection certificate from the state in which you have originally registered. RTOs, check the documents of your vehicle before issuing the no objection certificate.
Tax collection: This is another important duty of RTOs in India. When a vehicle is bought for new, the vehicle owner must pay a road tax to the RTO. As of now, this road tax is for life and it must be paid mandatorily when buying a new vehicle. RTOs collect these taxes from vehicle owners in the country. Any fines about violation of road traffic rules are also collected by the RTOs.
Registration of vehicles: Whenever a new vehicle is bought, it must be registered without fail. All vehicles plying on Indian roads must have a unique registration number assigned by the RTO.
Rules enforcement: One of the primary duties of the RTOs is the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. This act has been formulated by the government of India. The guidelines listed here provide the framework for road safety in India. RTOs oversee this in their respective states and enforce these rules.
License to individuals for driving: Only those with a valid driving license can drive a motor vehicle in India. In addition to enforcing the rule, RTOs also decide who gets to have a license for driving a motor vehicle. Individuals who apply for a driving license must go through both written as well as driving tests before getting a license.
Pollution control: There is a permissible limit on how much a vehicle can emit. RTOs check the vehicles periodically and issue pollution under control (PUC) certificates to vehicle owners.
Vehicle permits: In addition to a registration certificate, certain vehicles like commercial vehicles and vehicles must have specific permits to operate in certain regions. RTOs check the validity of these vehicles and issue them with the required permits.
Assessment of vehicle fitness: Indian roads have a mix of new and old vehicles. Vehicles that are in use for over a specific number of years must be fitness certified before they can be used on Indian roads. RTOs assess the quality of these vehicles and issue a fitness certificate for them.
How to Register Car Insurance in Punjab?
Motor Vehicles Act of India restricts one from driving an unregistered vehicle. The violation of the same may lead to legal actions against the car owner. A newly bought car must either follow the temporary registration process or permanent registration. However, registering a vehicle in Punjab is simple. One will require approaching the Registering Authority in Punjab and making an application regarding the same. The application form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Form 20 – application form
- Form 21 – sales certificate obtained from the dealer
- Form 22 – roadworthiness certificate by the manufacturer
- Form 22A – fabricated vehicle
- Pollution under control certificate
- Vehicle insurance document
- Address proof of the owner
- Payable tax as per Punjab Motor vehicles Taxation Act.
Documents Required for Car Insurance in Punjab:
RTO Punjab functions according to the rules, which include the procedures of vehicle registration in the state of Punjab. Any individual is not allowed for driving the vehicle without registration of a vehicle in RTO Punjab.
- Certificate of roadworthiness
- Certificate of PUC
- Certificate of sales
- Documents of insurance
- Certificate of custom clearance
- Address proof
How to Renew RC in Punjab?
The registration card is valid for a specific period. In the case of temporary registration, it is valid for not more than one month. On the other hand, the permanent registration card in case of a non-transport or private vehicle is valid for 15 years. That’s why one needs to renew the RC at least 60 days before its actual expiry date. After the first renewal, it has to be renewed every 5 years. In the case of commercial vehicles, a fitness certificate is issued after the first registration for two years period. An application is required along with the following documents to renew the RC:
- Form 25 – application for renewal
- Vehicle insurance certificate
- Original registration certificate of the vehicle
- Vehicle PUC certificate.
How to Issue Duplicate Registration Copy with Punjab RTO?
- The owner has to make an application in Form 26 to avail a duplicate RC and submit it along with the required documents to the RTO Punjab.
- If the vehicle is bought on loan, a NOC from the financer will be required as well. A minimal fee as per Rule 81 is required to avail a duplicate RC.
- Police FIR in case of loss of the RC
- Original Registration Certificate if it is damaged.
How to Transfer the Vehicle Ownership in Punjab?
To do so, an application shall be made to the RTO Punjab in form no 29 and submitted along with the below documents:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- No objection certificate from the financer in case of a loan
- Vehicle PUC Certificate
- No objection certificate if the vehicle is registered outside Punjab
- Address proof of vehicle owner.
What is E-governance in Punjab Transport Department?
The Transport Department of Punjab is a pioneer in utilizing Information Technology to offer faster and effective citizen-centric services. The computerization in Punjab’s Transport began 10 years ago and at present, the complete process has been computerized. The citizens of this state can access the data through SMS or the Internet. Punjab is the first state to use Vahan 4.0 web application & Sarathi web application.
How to Obtain a No Objection Certificate?
To get a NOC for registering the vehicle in another state, an application can be made in Form 28 (in 3 copies) to the registering authority where the vehicle was previously registered. The below-mentioned documents are to be submitted along with the application:
- Vehicle Registration Certificate
- Address proof of the applicant.
How to Pay E Challan in Punjab through Parivahan?
You can pay your e-challan in Punjab through the Parivahan portal by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit echallan.parivahan.gov.in/index/accused-challan
Step 2: Enter challan number, vehicle number, or driving license number.
Step 3: Enter the captcha code and click the ‘Get Details’ option.
Step 4: You will get the details displayed on the new page.
Step 5: You can verify the violations, e challan status, and click on the ‘Pay Now’ option.
How to Check Challan Status Punjab Online?
You can check the traffic challan status in Punjab by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit echallan.parivahan.gov.in/index/accused-challan
Step 2: Click the ‘Check challan status’ option from the menu bar.
Step 3: Enter your challan number and vehicle registration number, and enter the captcha.
Step 4: Click ‘Get details’ and you can see your challan-related information reflected on the screen.