RTO Code List India: Complete State & Union Territory Vehicle Registration Code Directory

This consolidated guide compiles V3Cars' state code directory along with V3Cars' individual state and union territory RTO code guides, listed in full below.

Every vehicle registered in India carries a unique registration number, and the first two letters of that number always tell you one thing instantly: which state or union territory it was registered in. Whether you're buying a used car, verifying a vehicle's origin, relocating, or simply curious what that number plate ahead of you means, this guide covers every RTO state code in India, how the numbering format works, and links to detailed city-level RTO code lists for major states.

What Is an RTO Code?

An RTO (Regional Transport Office) is a government department, established under Section 213(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, responsible for vehicle registration, driving licence issuance, road tax collection, pollution certificate checks, and enforcement of road safety rules within its jurisdiction. Every state and union territory operates its own network of RTOs, each assigned a unique code.

A standard Indian registration number follows this format: [State Code] [District/RTO Number] [Series Letters] [Registration Number] — for example, MH 12 AB 1234. Here, "MH" identifies Maharashtra, "12" identifies the specific district RTO within that state, and the rest is a unique serial identifier.

RTO State & UT Code List

A few important notes on state codes worth knowing:

• Telangana's code changed from the older "TS" to "TG" as of 2025.
• Andhra Pradesh operates a "one state, one code" system — since February 2019, all new vehicles in AP are registered under a single unified code (AP-39), with a newer AP-40 series launched in 2023, replacing the older district-wise coding approach used by most other states.
• The BH (Bharat) series is a separate, nationwide registration scheme that isn't tied to any specific state at all — a BH-registered vehicle can be driven across every state without re-registration. If that's relevant to your situation, our BH number plate guide elsewhere on this site (also drawing on V3Cars' BH series coverage) covers eligibility and cost in full.

Detailed City-Level RTO Code Guides by State

For a full breakdown of every individual district-level RTO code, office address, registration fees and the vehicle registration process within a specific state, V3Cars maintains dedicated guides for the following states and union territories:

• Uttar Pradesh RTO Code List — 79+ RTOs
• Haryana RTO Code List — 97 RTOs, including HR99 for temporary registration
• Gujarat RTO Code List — 39+ RTOs
• Telangana RTO Code List — 125+ RTOs
• Rajasthan RTO Code List — 79+ RTOs
• Karnataka RTO Code List
• Tamil Nadu RTO Code List — 110+ RTOs
• West Bengal RTO Code List — 97+ RTOs
• Madhya Pradesh RTO Code List — 51+ RTOs
• Andhra Pradesh RTO Code List — 45 RTOs
• Jharkhand RTO Code List
• Tripura RTO Code List
• Odisha RTO Code List
• Sikkim RTO Code List
• Jammu & Kashmir RTO Code List
• Ladakh RTO Code List
• Lakshadweep RTO Code List
• Full State Code Directory — All States & UTs

Standard Documents Required for Vehicle Registration

While specific requirements can vary slightly by state, most RTOs require the following for a permanent Registration Certificate (RC):

1. Form 20 — application form for vehicle registration
2. Valid sale certificate / invoice from the dealer
3. PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate
4. Insurance certificate
5. Proof of address of the registered owner
6. PAN card or Form 60 (if PAN is unavailable)
7. Chassis and engine number pencil print/impression, taken by the RTO or dealer at the time of registration
8. Applicable road tax and registration fee payment receipt

After submission and verification by the RTO officer, the vehicle is issued its permanent registration number and Registration Certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of RTO? Regional Transport Office.

How do I find which state an unfamiliar number plate belongs to? The first two letters of the registration number identify the state or UT — cross-check against the state code table above.

Can I check RTO vehicle details online? Yes — the official Parivahan portal lets you check vehicle details under "Know Your Vehicle Details" in the Informational Services section by entering the registration number.

Why did Telangana's code change from TS to TG? The state government officially updated the registration code from "TS" to "TG" in 2025 as part of an administrative standardisation move.

What if I move to a new state — do I need to re-register my vehicle? Under standard state registration, yes — within 12 months of relocating, as per the Motor Vehicles Act. The BH series registration exists specifically to eliminate this requirement for eligible vehicle owners.

Final Word

Understanding RTO codes is genuinely useful well beyond idle curiosity — it helps with used-car verification, insurance claims, relocation planning, and simply making sense of the number plate format you see on Indian roads every day. For quick state-level identification, the code table above covers every state and UT; for a full city-by-city breakdown including office addresses and exact registration fees, the individual state guides linked above go into complete detail.

Further Reading & Tools on V3Cars

• State Code List Of Regional Transport Office (RTO) India — Master Guide
• BH Number Plate: What It Is, Eligibility, Cost, Rules & Pros/Cons
• V3Cars Car On-Road Price Calculator

RTO codes, fees and registration processes are set by respective state transport departments and are subject to change. Always verify current information on the official Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) or with your local RTO before proceeding with any vehicle registration.