In India, a permit is a legal document that allows a commercial or transport vehicle to ply on public roads. All commercial vehicles, including taxis, buses, trucks and goods carriers, require a permit issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The RTO issues different types of permits depending on the nature and intended use of the vehicle. This article will discuss the different types of permits and their associated fees.
Types of Permits
Goods vehicles are used to transport goods and require a goods vehicle permit, while passenger vehicles, such as buses or taxis, require a passenger vehicle permit. These permits ensure compliance with rules and help maintain safety standards during interstate transportation.
- Goods Carriage Permit
A goods carriage permit is required for any vehicle transporting goods. The permit is issued for a specific route, and the vehicle can ply on that route only. The fee for a goods carriage permit varies depending on the vehicle type and the permit duration. The fee for goods vehicles with gross vehicle weight up to 7.5 tonnes is INR 1.5K annually. The fee is INR 2K annually for a vehicle weighing more than 7.5 tonnes. - Private Service Vehicle Permit
A private service vehicle permit is required for any vehicle used for employee transportation or other non-commercial purposes. The permit is issued for a specific route, and the vehicle can ply on that route only. The private service vehicle permit fee varies depending on the type of vehicle and the permit period. For a vehicle with a seating capacity of up to 6 passengers, the fee is INR 1K per annum. The fee is INR 1.5K per annum for a vehicle with a seating capacity of more than 6 passengers. - Stage Carriage Permit
Stage carriage permits are required for regular passenger vehicles such as buses, minibuses and vans. The permit is issued for a specific route, and the vehicle can ply on that route only. The fee for a stage carriage permit varies depending on the vehicle type and the permit duration. For a vehicle with a seating capacity of up to 6 passengers, the fee is INR 2.5K per year. For a vehicle with a seating capacity of more than 6 passengers, the fee is INR 4K per year. - National Permit
A national permit is required for any vehicle used for interstate transport of goods or passengers. The permit is issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is valid throughout India. The fee for a national permit varies depending on the vehicle type and the permit duration. For a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tonnes, the fee is INR 15K for 5 years. For a vehicle weighing over 7.5 tonnes, the fee is INR 20K for 5 years.
Permits Available For Passenger Vehicles
In India, the following types of permits are issued by RTOs for passenger vehicles:
- All India Tourist Permit: This permit is issued to commercial vehicles nationwide for tourist purposes.
- National Permit: This permit is issued to commercial vehicles that transport goods or passengers across states in India.
- State Permit: This permit is issued to commercial vehicles that transport goods or passengers within a particular state in India.
- Contract Carriage Permit: This permit is issued to commercial vehicles hired for a specific purpose or route.
- Private Vehicle Permit: This permit is issued to private vehicles used for personal use, not commercial purposes.
- Permits for Auto Rickshaws and Taxis: MLO Burari issues this vehicle permit to taxis and auto rickshaws operating in the province of Delhi. These vehicles typically use metres to create their tariff.
- Eco-Friendly Sewa: All vehicles with three wheels and run-on batteries must take this vehicle permit. With the driver, these cars can hold up to 11 passengers.
- Institution OR School Buses: This vehicle permit details are given to vehicles that educational institutions possess. These vehicles are usually painted golden yellow and relieved of the road tax.
- Permits on a Temporary Basis: This vehicle permit details are given to the vehicles so that they can operate outside the limits of Delhi for a specific time. A vehicle must satisfy the following criteria before obtaining a provisional permit:
- For religious affairs or resolution
- For any cyclical business
- The vehicle colour needs to be white
- The seating capacity should be 5 only
- Rent a Cab Permit: If you have cab rent dues, you must meet the following standards to obtain a Rent a Cab permit:
- You should have a 24/7 telephone and enough parking space.
- You should own a minimum of 50 cabs, and 50% of them must be air-conditioned.
- The passenger tax will be paid in the state where the vehicle runs.
Vehicle Permit Fees and Permit Period for Goods Vehicles & Passenger Vehicles
We have provided a table below to give you an idea of the fees and duration for good and passenger vehicles.
Local Permit
Vehicle Type |
Amount of Fees |
Period of Permit |
Heavy Good Vehicle |
INR 2500 |
5 years |
Light Goods Vehicle or LGV |
INR 2000 and INR 500 for Authorization |
5 years and 1 year |
National Permit
Vehicle Type |
Amount of Fees |
Period of Permit |
Light Goods Vehicle or LGV |
INR 2015 and INR 500 for Authorization |
5 years and 1 year |
Heavy Good Vehicle |
INR 2515 |
5 years |
Fees for Motor Vehicle Permits
To obtain a National Permit for any vehicle category, a person has to select at least 3 states other than Delhi. The compound fee should be deposited through Bank Draft as specified by the respective states.
Here is a list of the fees charged for getting a National Permit for different states in India.
Name of the State |
Amount |
West Bengal |
INR 5000 |
Orissa |
INR 5000 |
Assam |
INR 5000 |
Meghalaya |
INR 5000 |
Bihar |
INR 5000 |
Haryana |
INR 5000 |
Madhya Pradesh |
INR 5000 |
Rajasthan |
INR 5000 |
Jammu and Kashmir |
INR 5000 |
Himachal Pradesh |
INR 5000 |
Uttar Pradesh |
INR 5000 |
Gujarat |
INR 5000 |
Maharashtra |
INR 5000 |
Punjab |
INR 5000 |
Kerala |
INR 5000 |
Tamil Nadu |
INR 3000 |
Andhra Pradesh |
INR 3000 |
Pondicherry |
INR 1500 |
Chandigarh |
INR 1500 |
Fees and period of Motor Vehicle Permit
Here is a list of vehicle permit fees and permit periods based on vehicle type, which will help you understand the validity of the permit as per the type of vehicle.
Vehicle Type |
Amount |
Period of Permit |
Light goods Vehicle |
INR 1215 |
5 years |
Heavy Good Vehicle |
INR 1615 |
5 years |
Busses Contract Carriage Permit |
INR 1100 |
5 years |
Busses All India Tourist Permit |
INR 500 |
1 year |
Stage Carriage Permit for Blueline, Redlines, Suvidha and Interstate Permits (Renewal fee) |
INR 1100 |
5 years |
One Point to the Other Point Permit |
INR 500 |
4 months |
Counter-signature for Haryana & Punjab – For LGV and HMV |
INR 1500 & INR 2500 |
Both 5 years |
Counter-Signature for other State Stage Carriage |
INR 2500 |
5 years |
Process To Apply For A Vehicle Permit And Its Details
The process for applying for a vehicle permit varies depending on the type of permit and the state you are applying for. However, here are some general details and steps that you can follow to apply for a vehicle permit:
- Determine The Type Of Permit: The type of permit you need will depend on the purpose of your vehicle and the type of vehicle you have. As mentioned earlier, different types of permits are available, such as All India Tourist Permit, National Permit, State Permit, Contract Carriage Permit and Private Vehicle Permit.
- Gather Required Documents: Once you have determined what type of permit you need, gather all the necessary documents for the application process. The required documents vary depending on the type of permit and the state you are applying for. However, some commonly required documents include a vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, ID proof and address proof.
- Submit The Application: Visit the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) and submit the application and required documents. Make sure that the application form is filled correctly and completely.
- Pay The Fee: You must pay the required fee for the permit application process. The fee may vary depending on the type of permit and the state in which you are applying.
- Wait For The Permit To Be Approved: After submitting the application and paying the fee, you will have to wait for the permit to be approved. Processing time for permits can vary depending on the type of permit and the state in which you are applying.
- Collect The Permit: Once the permit is approved, you can collect it from the RTO office.
It is important to note that the process and requirements for a vehicle permit may vary depending on the type of permit and the state in which you are applying. For more information on specific permits and their application process, it is best to contact the local RTO office, such as Gujarat RTO, Uttar Pradesh RTO, Ahmedabad RTO, Rajasthan RTO, Delhi RTO, Uttarakhand RTO, Bihar RTO, etc.
Conclusion
A permit is required for all commercial and transport vehicles to ply on public roads in India. The type of permit required depends on the nature and intended use of the vehicle. The fees associated with the permit vary depending on the type of permit, the type of vehicle and the duration of the permit. Apart from the permit fee, there are other fees associated with motor vehicles, such as registration fee, fitness certificate fee and ownership transfer fee. It is essential to keep track of all fees and renew permits and certificates on time to avoid any penalty charges.