Maharashtra RTO

With a population of 128.66 million (CEIC - 2025) and approximately 4,95,37,302 cars registered in Maharashtra (As of March 2025 – Transport Department of Maharashtra), the Maharashtra RTO plays a crucial role in maintaining traffic laws, issuing registrations, enforcing road safety, and ensuring compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Operating under the Transport Department of Maharashtra, there are 56 RTO Offices in Maharashtra managing transport administration at district and city levels. The RTO also drives digital initiatives through Vahan and Parivahan online services, enabling online registration, permit issuance, and fitness certification for vehicles. Additionally, the department plays a key role in supporting electric vehicle (EV) registrations, reflecting Maharashtra’s growing focus on clean mobility and sustainable transportation.

Here is the table with the locations of MH RTOs and their respective RTO Codes in Maharashtra:

The RTO Maharashtra plays a crucial role in regulating road transport and enforcing motor vehicle laws under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Its functions cover vehicle registration, licensing, taxation, road safety, pollution control, and more. Key responsibilities include:

1. Vehicle Registration in RTO Maharashtra

The RTO Maharashtra manages the entire process of vehicle registration:

• Issuance of new vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs) for all types of vehicles.
• Renewal of RCs for existing vehicles as per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
• Assignment of permanent and temporary registration numbers, ensuring proper tracking of vehicles.
• Issuance of duplicate RCs in case of loss or damage.
• Approval of vehicle ownership transfers within Maharashtra.
• Updating changes, such as owner address modifications in the RC database.

2. Driving Licence and Permits in Maharashtra RTO

The RTO Maharashtra issues and manages all driving licences and permits:

• Issuance of Learner’s Licence (LL) and Permanent Driving Licence (DL) for private and commercial vehicles.
• Renewal of driving licences before expiry.
• Issuance of International Driving Permits (IDP) for residents of Maharashtra travelling abroad.
• Granting permits for commercial and transport vehicles, ensuring compliance with safety and road transport laws.
• Conducting driving tests and evaluations for new applicants to verify competency.

3. Road Tax Collection

The RTO Maharashtra ensures effective collection of road taxes and other vehicle-related fees:

• Collecting road tax for new and existing vehicles.
• Enforcing taxation laws, including penalties for non-payment.
• Maintaining records of tax-paid vehicles to streamline enforcement and compliance.

4. Vehicle Fitness and Pollution Control

The RTO Maharashtra is responsible for monitoring vehicle fitness and emissions:

• Conducting periodic fitness inspections for transport and commercial vehicles.
• Issuing Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificates for vehicles meeting emission standards.
• Inspecting vehicles to ensure adherence to Maharashtra emission and pollution control regulations.

5. Enforcing Traffic Laws

The RTO Maharashtra works closely with traffic police to ensure road safety and law enforcement:

• Issuing challans for traffic violations occurring on the streets of Maharashtra.
• Enforcing rules related to speed limits, helmets, seatbelts, and vehicle safety.
• Monitoring compliance with road safety measures across Maharashtra.
• Conducting public awareness campaigns on traffic rules and safe driving practices.

6. Providing No Objection Certificates (NOC) for Vehicles

The RTO Maharashtra facilitates inter-state vehicle transfers:

• Issuing NOCs for vehicles being registered in another state.
• Cancelling NOCs if vehicles are not re-registered within the stipulated period in the new state.
• Maintaining records to ensure legal compliance for vehicle ownership transfers.

A Permanent Registration Certificate (RC) in Maharashtra is mandatory for all motor vehicles in Maharashtra and serves as official proof of ownership. A Temporary Registration Certificate is always assigned by a dealer in Maharashtra when buying a new vehicle. Vehicle owners are not allowed to drive a car without registration in Maharashtra.

Important Guidelines

• Dealers cannot deliver unregistered vehicles: Vehicle dealers may only hand over vehicles that are either temporarily or permanently registered with the RTO.
• Direct registration via dealer: New vehicles should be registered directly through the dealer using their trade certificate.
• Vehicle inspection: The vehicle must be presented for physical inspection at the RTO, where an inspector verifies compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and related rules.
• Payment of tax & registration assignment: After verification, the vehicle tax is collected, and a new permanent registration number is issued.

How to Apply for Permanent Registration Certificate (RC) in Maharashtra

• Timeline: The vehicle must be registered within seven days from the date of delivery by the dealer, excluding travel time for vehicles already issued a temporary registration.
• Form submission: Fill and submit Form 20.
• Supporting documents: Submit the required documents (mentioned below).

Fees

Prescribed registration fees and road tax must be paid at the RTO or via the Parivahan Seva online portal.

Vehicle Inspection and RC Issuance

After submission of documents and payment, the respective Maharashtra RTO physically inspects the vehicle to verify engine, chassis, and overall roadworthiness.

Once verified, the permanent registration number is issued, and the RC is provided in smart card format or as a digital copy.

Vehicle owners can track the status of their RC application online via the Parivahan Seva portal.

Documents Required for Permanent Registration Certificate (RC) in Maharashtra

Before applying for a permanent registration certificate in Maharashtra, make sure you have the following documents ready to submit:

• Form 20 (Application for Permanent RC)
• Sale certificate in Form 21 issued by the dealer.
• Roadworthiness certificate (Form 22 / 22-A) from the manufacturer.
• Purchase invoice (mandatory for vehicles subject to lifetime tax).
• Temporary registration certificate (if applicable).
• PAN card or Form 60 (in duplicate, except for two-wheelers).
• Valid insurance certificate.
• Address proof of the owner.
• Roadworthiness certificate (Form 22-A Part II) from the body builder for commercial / transport vehicles.
• Bill of entry for imported vehicles.
• Customs clearance certificate for imported vehicles, along with license or bond if applicable.
• Manufacturer’s certificate for invalid carriage vehicles.
• Design approval from the Transport Commissioner in case of trailers.
• 7/12 abstract or Tehsildar certificate for agricultural tractors and trailers claiming tax exemption.
• Entry tax payment proof for vehicles, bodies, or tankers purchased outside the state.

Removed

Octroi receipt has been removed from the document list as octroi has been abolished in Maharashtra. This document is no longer required for registration.

In Maharashtra, registration certificates are required to be renewed after the expiry of the permanent RC. Renewal of the Registration Certificate must be applied using Form 25 to the Registering Authority in Maharashtra within the period prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Application Process for Renewal of RC

• Fill Form 25: This form can be obtained from your nearest Maharashtra RTO or online through the Parivahan Seva Portal.
• Pay prescribed fees: Pay the necessary fees prescribed by the Maharashtra RTO offline or online.
• Submit the necessary documents: After submitting the mentioned documents, the RTO will verify every document for the renewal of RC.
• Take the vehicle for inspection: After verification and payment of fees, you will need to take your car to the RTO for inspection, which would be done by an RTO officer.

After verification of documents and the results of the inspection of the car, your RC will be renewed.

Documents Required for Renewal of Registration Certificate (RC) in Maharashtra

• Form 25
• Original RC Book
• Original PUC
• Original Insurance
• Tax Paid Proof
• Fitness certificate
• Copy of PAN card or Form 60 & Form 61 (as applicable)

If a vehicle is coming into Maharashtra from a different state (for a long period or permanently) it is required to be registered under the Maharashtra RTO. The Maharashtra RTO will provide an “MH” number plate to the vehicle transferred from another state.

• Get an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from previous RTO
• Fill and submit for 28 at the previous RTO for NOC
• If the vehicle was on loan, obtain NOC from the bank as well
• In case NOC is not available, apply for cancellation of the RC in the previous state
• Submit all the documents and properly filled forms mentioned and the documents will be verified at the RTO
• After verification of documents, your vehicle will be inspected
• After inspection, pay the road tax and fees that are applicable to your vehicle
• After payment of fees, you will receive your new RC from the Maharashtra RTO

Documents Required for Registration of Vehicle Coming From Different State to Maharashtra

Many documents are required for the transfer of registration from another state to Maharashtra. Mainly these documents focus on getting NOC from previous owners and previous state the vehicle was registered to.

• Form 20: Application for registration.
• Form 26: Application for assignment of new registration number.
• Form 29: Notice of transfer of ownership.
• Form 30: Report of transfer of ownership.
• Form 33: Application for change of address (if applicable).
• Form AT / FT / TCR: For transport vehicles.
• Form TCA: For transport vehicles.
• NOC from the original registration authority in Form 28.
• Entry tax NOC.
• Valid insurance certificate.
• Valid PUC.
• Registration certificate (RC) & tax certificate (TC).
• Address proof.
• Octroi receipt.
• Registered owners affidavit.

The transfer of the RC of the vehicle is essential if you plan to buy or sell a vehicle in Maharashtra. The RC must be legally transferred to the new owner's name within 2 weeks if the sale happened in the same RTO area in Maharashtra and 30 days if in another RTO. There are 3 types of RC transfers that are done by the RTO in Maharashtra:

• Sale of the vehicle: The vehicle is being sold to another individual or group.
• Inheritance of vehicle: The vehicle is being inherited due to the death of the owner.
• Auction of vehicle: The vehicle is bought from auction by government or other bodies.

Documents Required for RC Ownership Transfer in Maharashtra

The documents required for transfer of RC depend on these 3 types of transfers and are as follows:

• Form 29 and Form 30 (Transfer of Possession)
• Original RC
• Insurance Certificate
• PUC Certificate
• Buyer’s address proof
• Sales Agreement (If applicable)
• Death Certificate of the owner (If applicable)
• Form 31 (In case of death)
• Form 32 (In case of auction)
• Form 35 (Bank NOC if the vehicle was financed)
• Form 60 - Declaration of Income from the seller and the buyer

Process for Transfer of Ownership via Vahan Portal

• Seller initiates the Transfer of Ownership (TO) service via the Vahan citizen portal.
• Seller authentication is completed using Aadhaar, verified against Vahan records.
• Online form completion by seller – Enter buyer details exactly as per buyer’s Aadhaar information.
• An application number is generated and sent to the buyer’s Aadhaar-registered mobile number provided by the seller.
• Buyer initiates the TO service on the Vahan portal using the received application number.
• Buyer authentication via Aadhaar, verified against the details entered by the seller.
• Online form completion by buyer – Fill in the required information as per documents.
• Payment of applicable fees by the buyer.
• Document upload – All mandatory documents must be uploaded online.
• Application submission – Fully online; no RTO visit required.
• Maharashtra RTO verification and approval of the submitted application and documents.
• Automatic initiation of RC printing in the buyer’s name after RTO approval.

If a registration certificate is reported as stolen, lost, or destroyed, a duplicate registration certificate can be issued. Following is the procedure to apply for duplicate registration certificate in Maharashtra:

• File an FIR at the police station who has jurisdiction over the area where the certificate was lost, stolen or destroyed. Obtain a copy of the FIR.
• Inform the previously registered RTO via a letter or an application about the missing registration certificate before officially applying for a duplicate.
• Apply using Form 28 for a duplicate registration certificate at the RTO (where the RC was previously registered).
• After submitting the necessary documents, pay 50% of the registration fee applicable to the particular class of vehicle.
• After verification of all the documents, a duplicated registration certificate will be issued.

Documents Required for Duplicate Registration Certificate in Maharashtra

• Form 26
• Damaged / Torn RC
• If RC is lost or stolen, provide Police report or FIR
• Letter of Consent from the financer if it comes under Hypothecation

If you purchase a vehicle on a loan or through hire purchase, the financier must be legally added to the RC as a hypothecation entry. The vehicle remains under the lender’s name until the debt is cleared. Process of endorsement of hypothecation:

• Fill form 34
• Collect the letter from the financier acknowledging about the hire purchase agreement
• Submit all the documents and the duly filled form
• Pay the prescribed fees
• Take the vehicle for inspection

Once the documents are verified, endorsement of hire purchase agreement will be complete.

Document Required for Endorsement of Hire Purchase Agreement in RC in Maharashtra

• Form 34 (2nos)
• Request letter from the financier
• Insurance certificate
• R.C
• T.C (Tax Certificate)

When the loan on your vehicle is paid off completely or the purchaser defaults on their payments, termination of the hire purchase agreement is required. Following are the documents required for closure of hypothecation in RC in Maharashtra.

• Form 35 (2 nos.)
• Request letter from the financier
• Insurance certificate
• R.C
• T.C

With the submission of these documents and a nominal fee, the vehicle will be completely registered in the owner’s name, and the financier’s name will be removed from the new registration.

In case of defaulting:

• Form 30
• Form 36
• Proof of possession of vehicle by financier
• Proof for no outstanding case in the court
• NOC from registered owner
• Address proof

If the purchaser fails to pay their debt, i.e. they default on their payments, then the car is registered under the financier after submitting the above-mentioned documents and paying the nominal fee.

This is a table showing new registration certificate charges for a vehicle in Maharashtra:

After filling in and submitting all the necessary documents and paying the necessary fees, you will get an application number, after which you can check the status of your application for a registration certificate online in Maharashtra. To check your status online, follow these steps:

• Go to Parivahan Website
• Select the state as Maharashtra
• Click on “Application Status”
• Enter your application number and date of birth (DOB)
• You will be redirected to your application status page where you can check the status of your registration certificate

You can get vehicle owner details online through the Parivahan website. It is important to know that the owner's address and phone number are not shared for privacy reasons. Use this information for legitimate reasons only (such as checking details when buying a used vehicle).

• Visit the Parivahan Vehicle Details page
• Click on "Know Your Vehicle Details"
• Enter your vehicle registration number
• Enter the captcha code
• Details like Owners owner’s Name, Vehicle Class, Insurance, Registration Date, etc are shown

According to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Tax Act 1958 and Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Tax Rules 1959, tax is levied on motor vehicles that are used or kept for use in the Maharashtra State. For private vehicles in Maharashtra, road tax is based on either the cost of the vehicle (for four wheelers) or the engine capacity (for 2 wheelers).

Road Tax for Two Wheelers:

For imported two-wheelers, one time tax is a flat 20% on the cost of the vehicle.

Road Tax for Four Wheelers:

For imported four wheelers, one tax is flat 20% on the total cost of the vehicle for petrol and diesel variants.

Having an HSRP is mandatory for two- and four-wheeler vehicles in Maharashtra for those registered before 2019. The deadline for these vehicles to register for an HSRP is 30 April 2025. To apply for a High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP), follow these steps:

• Visit the official HSRP website to book the plate
• Select the vehicle type (private or commercial)
• Enter your vehicle details
• Choose the fitment location
• Book an appointment slot
• Pay the fees after checking all the details
• Visit the fitment location to have your HSRP fitted to your vehicle

The Maharashtra RTO (Regional Transport Office) influences insurance policies, premiums and claims in different ways.

1. Mandatory Vehicle Registration and Insurance Linkage

• The RTO mandates third-party insurance for every vehicle
• Without valid insurance, a vehicle cannot be legally registered or driven on Maharashtra roads

2. Impact on Insurance Premiums

• Location-Based Premiums: Vehicles registered in highly populated cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane tend to have higher premiums due to theft risks, accident proneness, and higher traffic. Vehicles in rural areas or smaller cities may have lower premiums.

• Vehicle Category and Registration Fees: The RTO determines whether a vehicle is private (non-commercial) or commercial, affecting the insurance type and premium.

3. Transfer of Ownership & Insurance Changes

• When selling a vehicle, the new owner must update both the RTO and insurance provider
• If the insurance is not in the new owner’s name it may cause legal trouble and claim issues in case of accidents

4. Insurance Claims and RTO Verification

• In case of theft or total loss, insurance companies require
• RTO-endorsed FIR (First Information Report)
• De-registration certificate from RTO
• RC and vehicle history records from the Maharashtra RTO

5. RTO’s Role in Third-Party Claims

• Maharashtra RTO maintains accident records, which are crucial for third-party insurance claims.

In summary, the Maharashtra RTO is deeply involved in vehicle insurance policy, claims and premiums.