RTO Andhra Pradesh

The Regional Transport Office (RTO), Andhra Pradesh, is the state authority responsible for enforcing motor vehicle laws, issuing driving licences and registering vehicles under the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department, governed by the Motor Vehicles Act and related state rules. It operates through district RTOs to serve vehicle owners across the state. As of December 2024, Andhra Pradesh had about 1.8 crore registered vehicles, a figure reflecting rapid growth in vehicle ownership, with two-wheelers making up the majority of this fleet.

The AP code stands for Andhra Pradesh, and it is the state identifier used in vehicle registration numbers issued by the Regional Transport Offices. Below is a List of AP RTO Codes / Andhra Pradesh RTO Code List, which helps identify the registering authority and district of a vehicle.

Important Changes to Note

• Missing Codes (AP-01, AP-09 to AP-15, etc.): These were allocated to districts now in Telangana. For example, AP-09 to AP-14 are Hyderabad codes and are no longer used for new registrations in Andhra Pradesh.

• The State Government has decided to introduce a uniform vehicle registration series (AP-39) across Andhra Pradesh. While RTC buses will continue to use the Z series, Police Department vehicles the P series, and other government vehicles the T, U, V, W, X and Y series, the registration code number will remain AP-39 in all cases.

The Andhra Pradesh Regional Transport Offices (AP RTOs) form the state’s core transport administration under the Transport Department, ensuring that vehicles and drivers comply with legal, safety, and tax regulations throughout Andhra Pradesh. With a network of 45 RTO/DTO offices across the state, the AP RTO system facilitates smooth vehicle administration from registration to enforcement.

Primary functions of AP RTO include:

• Issuing driving licences and learner licences to qualified applicants in Andhra Pradesh.

• Vehicle registration and transfer of ownership, including AP-39 uniform series allocations.

• Collection of road tax and registration fees as per state motor vehicle rules.

• Granting and renewing permits for commercial and transport vehicles.

• Enforcing traffic laws and safety standards on registered vehicles.

• Maintaining digital records of licences, registrations and permits.

Vehicle registration is mandatory in Andhra Pradesh (AP) to legally operate any motor vehicle on public roads, as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Registration establishes legal ownership, helps in tax collection, enables law enforcement and insurance coverage, and ensures that vehicles running in AP comply with safety and emission norms.

In Andhra Pradesh, vehicles are first issued a temporary registration (TR) and must then obtain a permanent registration (PR) through the Andhra Pradesh Regional Transport Office.

In Andhra Pradesh, an application for registration of a motor vehicle must be submitted in Form 20 to the Registering Authority within 7 days from the date of vehicle delivery, excluding the journey period. The process is governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Regional Transport Office.

Documents Required for Permanent Registration

The application in Form 20 must be accompanied by the following documents:

• Sales Certificate – Form 21

• Roadworthiness Certificate – Form 22

• Form 22A in case of body-built vehicles

• Valid Motor Insurance Certificate

• Proof of Address (Ration Card, Electricity Bill, Aadhaar, etc.)

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

• Design approval from STA, if the vehicle is a Trailer or Semi-Trailer

• Original Form 21 issued by competent authority for Ex-Army vehicles

• Customs Clearance Certificate, in case of imported vehicles

• Applicable registration fee as per Rule 81 of CMV Rules

• Road tax as applicable under the AP Motor Vehicles Taxation (APMVT) Act

Note:

Forms 21, 22, and 22A are provided by the manufacturer or dealer along with the vehicle invoice. The procedure applies to both Non-Transport and Transport vehicles.

An application for Temporary Registration (TR) is also made in Form 20, clearly marked “Temporary”, either to the Registering Authority or to an authorised dealer recognised by the Transport Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh.

• Filling Items 23 to 32 in Form 20 is not mandatory, even for transport vehicles.

• Temporary registration allows the vehicle to be legally driven until permanent registration is completed.

Extension of Temporary Registration

If required, an application for extension of Temporary Registration must be submitted to the Registering Authority, stating the period for which extension is needed, along with:

• Temporary Registration Certificate (CRTem)

• Copy of Sales Certificate – Form 21

• Copy of Roadworthiness Certificate – Form 22 / 22A

• Copy of Valid Insurance Certificate

• PUC Certificate

• Copy of Proof of Address

• Copy of STA design approval (for trailers/semi-trailers)

• Copy of Original Form 21 for Ex-Army vehicles

• Copy of Customs Clearance Certificate for imported vehicles

• Temporary registration/extension fee of ₹15, as per Rule 89 of APMV Rules

• Applicable road tax under the APMVT Act

Source - https://www.aptransport.org/html/registration.html

In Andhra Pradesh (AP), transferring the Registration Certificate (RC) is legally mandatory whenever a vehicle is sold, inherited, or acquired through auction. RC transfer ensures that ownership records, tax liability, traffic violations, and insurance responsibility are correctly mapped to the new owner under the Andhra Pradesh Regional Transport Office. Vehicle ownership transfer is required in AP in cases of normal sale, death of the owner, or government/public auction.

Normal Transfer of Vehicle Ownership (Sale / Purchase)

When a motor vehicle is sold or transferred in Andhra Pradesh:

Obligations of the Transferor (Seller): The seller must report the transfer in Form 29 to the registering authorities having jurisdiction over the transferor and transferee.

Obligations of the Transferee (Buyer): The buyer must apply for ownership transfer in Form 30 (as per Section 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act) along with:

• Registration Certificate (RC)

• Valid Insurance Certificate

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

• PAN Card (mandatory for four-wheelers)

• Prescribed transfer fee as per Rule 81 of CMV Rules

No Objection Certificate (NOC) – Form 28

• Application for NOC must be made in Form 28 (in triplicate) to the previous registering authority.

• A ₹3 non-judicial court fee stamp must be affixed.

• The application must include:

  • NOC issued under Section 48(3), or
  • Order refusing NOC, or
  • Declaration by the transferor stating no response received, along with:
    • Receipt from RTO, or
    • Postal acknowledgement (if sent by post)

Transfer of Ownership Due to the Death of the Registered Owner

When the registered owner dies:

• The successor may use the vehicle for up to 3 months as if transferred, provided:
  • The death is intimated to the RTO within 30 days, and
  • The successor expresses intent to use the vehicle.

Application for Transfer

• Application must be made in Form 31 within 3 months of death, along with:
  • Applicable fee (Rule 81)
  • Death Certificate of the registered owner
  • Original Registration Certificate
  • Valid Insurance Certificate

Transfer of Ownership Through Government / Public Auction

If a vehicle is acquired through a public auction conducted by the Central or State Government:

Application Requirements

• Application must be made in Form 32 within 30 days of taking possession, along with:
  • Prescribed fee (Rule 81)
  • RC and Insurance Certificate
  • Auction sale confirmation certificate/order, duly signed
  • Certified copy of the government order authorising the auction

Special Cases

• If the vehicle has no registration mark or a false registration number:
  • The RTO will assign a new registration mark in the name of the concerned government department.
  • Ownership details are then updated in favour of the auction purchaser.

• Government vehicles cannot be transferred without proper verification of auction proceedings.

Here are the registration fees or charges applicable in RTO AP:

Source - https://www.aptransport.org/html/fees-registration.html

In Andhra Pradesh (AP), vehicle owners can easily track their Registration Certificate (RC) status online without visiting the RTO, thanks to the state’s centralised AP-39 registration system. The online facility helps you monitor applications for new RCs, ownership transfers, or corrections in real time.

Steps to Check RC Status in Andhra Pradesh

1. Visit the VAHAN citizen services portal.

2. Select “Know Your Vehicle Details / RC Status.”

3. Enter your AP vehicle registration number.

4. Alternatively, use your application number for recently submitted requests.

5. Submit the details to view the current RC status, approval stage, and dispatch information.

In Andhra Pradesh (AP), road tax is a mandatory one-time (or periodic for commercial vehicles) payment collected at the time of vehicle registration under the AP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. The tax amount depends on the type of vehicle, its age, and cost (ex-showroom price), helping fund road development and maintenance across the state.

Two-Wheelers (Private Vehicles)

(One-time life tax as % of vehicle cost)

Four-Wheelers (Private Vehicles)

(Lifetime tax % of vehicle cost; different slabs depending on cost)

Commercial Vehicles (Annual / Periodic Tax)

In AP, commercial vehicles (e.g., goods carriers, buses, taxis) pay road tax periodically rather than as a one-time life tax. The amount is generally based on vehicle type, gross vehicle weight (GVW), seating capacity, age, and cost. Typical patterns seen in official summaries include:

• Light Commercial Vehicles (LMV): ~12–14% for newer vehicles, reducing with age

• Medium Commercial Vehicles (MCV): ~14–16% for newer vehicles, reducing with age

• Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV): ~16–18% for newer vehicles, reducing with age

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Electric vehicles often receive concessions or exemptions depending on government policy (e.g., partial or full tax relief for initial years), as part of Andhra Pradesh’s incentives for EV adoption.

How Road Tax is Calculated in AP

• Vehicle cost (ex-showroom price) is the primary base for tax computation.

• Age of the vehicle reduces tax percentage for older vehicles.

• Purpose of use (private vs commercial) affects whether tax is one-time or periodic.

• Fuel type and engine capacity may also influence applicable slabs.

Source – https://www.aptransport.org/html/taxes-life-time-tax.html

In Andhra Pradesh (AP), road tax can be paid online or offline through the RTO/RTA system at the time of vehicle registration or during ownership transfer, re-registration, or tax renewal.

Steps to Pay Road Tax in Andhra Pradesh

Online Method (Recommended)

1. Visit the VAHAN Parivahan portal.

2. Select Pay Your Tax under vehicle-related services.

3. Enter your vehicle registration number (including AP-39, if applicable).

4. Verify vehicle details and the tax amount payable.

5. Make payment using net banking, debit card, or UPI.

6. Save or download the payment receipt for records.

Offline Method

1. Visit the nearest AP RTO/RTA office with your vehicle documents.

2. Submit the road tax application at the designated counter.

3. Pay the tax amount via cash, demand draft, or authorised payment mode.

4. Collect the tax payment receipt issued by the RTO.

In Andhra Pradesh (AP), late payment of road tax attracts progressive penalties—up to ½ of the quarterly tax within 1 month, equal to the quarterly tax within 2 months, and up to twice the quarterly tax if delayed beyond 2 months. Continued default can also lead to vehicle detention/seizure until all dues (tax + penalty) are cleared.

In Andhra Pradesh, if your vehicle is bought under a loan, hire-purchase, lease, or hypothecation agreement, the financier’s interest must be officially recorded on the Registration Certificate (RC) by the AP RTO. This entry protects the lender’s rights and clarifies ownership status until the loan is repaid.

Required Documents

To apply for hypothecation endorsement with the AP RTO, you will need the following:

• Form 34: Application for hypothecation entry, duly signed by both the registered owner and the financier.

• Original Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle.

• Valid Motor Insurance Certificate to support the vehicle’s insurance details.

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate (in many cases, RTOs require this as part of complete vehicle documentation).

• Proof of Address / Identity of the vehicle owner and/or financier, if requested by the RTO (common practice to verify signatures and details).

Many AP RTO offices also check that the hypothecation agreement details (e.g., loan or finance agreement) are correctly entered on the form and match RC records.

Fee

• A nominal fee (typically ₹100) is charged for the hypothecation endorsement entry in the RC.

Once approved, the RTO will endorse the hypothecation entry in the RC and update the vehicle record accordingly.

High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) are mandatory for all vehicles in Andhra Pradesh (AP) because they are tamper-proof and uniquely identified plates that improve vehicle traceability, reduce cloning/theft, and ensure compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR). Non-compliance can lead to fines and legal issues during checks.

How to Get a High-Security Number Plate in Andhra Pradesh

1. Visit the official HSRP portal: Go to the Book My HSRP website — “High Security Registration Plate with Colour Sticker” section.

2. Official AP/HSRP link: https://bookmyhsrp.com/

3. Select Andhra Pradesh as the state.

4. Enter your vehicle registration number, engine number, and chassis number.

5. Choose a fitment location and appointment date/time for installation.

6. Complete the online payment for your HSRP plate.

7. Download the receipt and visit the centre on the scheduled date for installation.

Documents typically needed:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)

• Proof of identity (like Aadhaar, DL)

• Proof of address (if asked)

How to Check the Status of Your HSRP in Andhra Pradesh

1. Open the Book My HSRP portal in your browser.

2. Click on “Track My Order” / “Track your order”.

3. Enter your Order number and Vehicle registration number.

4. Fill the captcha code and click Search.

5. Your HSRP application status will be displayed on screen.

You’ll also usually receive SMS updates on your registered mobile number about readiness and installation status.

Office Address: Office of the Transport Commissioner, NTR Administrative Block, RTC House, 3rd Floor, Krishna Lanka, Vijayawada – 520013, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Phone (Office): 0866-2572400 (Transport Commissioner's Office)

Common Enquiry / RTO Support: • 8866-29700457 | 98485-28382 (Office/Home Office contact numbers listed for RTO HQ)

Email (Official): tc@aptransport.org (Transport Commissioner)