In a major relief for vehicle buyers, the Telangana transport department has eliminated the need for physical visits to Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices for registering new cars and motorcycles. A memo issued on Thursday has authorised automobile dealers across the state to submit applications for permanent registration online.
How the New Online Registration System Works
The cumbersome process of taking a new vehicle to an RTA office for inspection is now a thing of the past for non-transport vehicles. Under the new directive, authorised dealers will be equipped with the necessary logistical and technical setup to facilitate the entire registration process from their showrooms. This initiative is aligned with Rule 48-B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which permits the first-time registration of fully built vehicles sold by dealers without requiring physical presentation before the registering authority.
The transport department is currently migrating all registration-related services to the National Informatics Centre's VAHAN platform, a transition expected to take about six months. In the interim, the existing software service provider has been directed to modify the current system to enable this dealer-point registration facility. The company has been given a strict deadline of 15 days to implement the required software changes.
Documents Required and Process Flow
Once the system is live, authorised dealers will submit online applications through the department's portal. They will need to upload a comprehensive set of documents, which includes:
- The vehicle invoice and sale certificate (Form 21)
- The road-worthiness certificate (Form 22)
- Valid insurance certificate
- Address proof of the purchaser
- A declaration on non-ownership of a second vehicle, if applicable
- Scanned copies of the purchaser's photograph and signature
- Clear photographs of the vehicle's engine and chassis numbers, and the vehicle itself
The registering authority will then scrutinise the digital application. Upon approval, they will assign the registration number. The final registration certificate (RC) will be dispatched directly to the vehicle owner's address via speed post, completing the process without the owner ever needing to visit an RTA office.
Ensuring Compliance and Rollout Timeline
To maintain integrity and prevent misuse, the transport department memo has a provision for random inspections. Officers, including motor vehicle inspectors, RTOs, and senior officials, may conduct surprise checks on vehicles in the inventory of authorised dealers at any time.
The exact date for implementing this new facility will be announced separately. However, the department has mandated that it must be launched no later than 15 days from the date of the order, once the essential software modifications are completed. This move is set to significantly streamline vehicle ownership formalities, saving time and reducing hassle for thousands of new vehicle buyers in Telangana.
