The Regional Transport Office (RTO) system in Tamil Nadu plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and safe transportation across the state. This article provides a guide to Tamil Nadu RTO codes, services, vehicle registration, and more, updated for 2026.

What is an RTO and Its Role in Tamil Nadu?

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Tamil Nadu is a government body operating under the Tamil Nadu Transport Department. It is responsible for regulating transport-related activities as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. With over 110 RTOs across the state, Tamil Nadu ensures efficient management of vehicle registration, driver licensing, road safety, and tax collection. The RTOs maintain records of vehicles and drivers, enforce traffic rules, and promote road safety through awareness programs.

Key Functions of Tamil Nadu RTO

Functions of Tamil Nadu RTO

Tamil Nadu RTOs perform a range of functions to ensure a safe and organized transportation system:

Vehicle Registration: Assigning unique registration numbers and issuing Registration Certificates (RC) for vehicles.
Driving License Issuance: Conducting driving tests and issuing learner’s and permanent driving licenses.
Road Tax Collection: Collecting road taxes and other fees during vehicle registration.
Permit Issuance: Providing permits for commercial and transport vehicles.
Vehicle Fitness and Safety: Issuing fitness certificates and Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
Traffic Rule Enforcement: Conducting vehicle inspections and setting up checkpoints to ensure compliance with traffic norms.

Tamil Nadu RTO Codes List (District-Wise)

Tamil Nadu has a vast network of RTOs and additional Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) offices, each assigned a unique code for vehicle registration. These codes, prefixed with TN, help identify the district or zone where a vehicle is registered.

District-Wise TN RTO Codes Table

RTO Code	District/Location
TN-01	Chennai (Central)
TN-02	Chennai (North-West)
TN-03	Chennai (East)
TN-04	Chennai (North-East)
TN-05	Chennai (South)
TN-06	Chennai (South-East)
TN-07	Chennai (West)
TN-09	Chennai (K.K. Nagar)
TN-10	Chennai (Virugambakkam)
TN-11	Chennai (South-West)
TN-14	Chennai (Meenambakkam)
TN-18	Redhills, Chennai
TN-19	Chengalpattu
TN-20	Tiruvallur
TN-21	Kanchipuram
TN-22	Vellore
TN-23	Vellore
TN-24	Krishnagiri
TN-25	Thiruvannamalai
TN-27	Salem
TN-29	Dharmapuri
TN-30	Salem (West)
TN-31	Cuddalore
TN-32	Villupuram
TN-33	Erode
TN-36	Tiruchengode
TN-37	Coimbatore (South)
TN-38	Coimbatore (North)
TN-39	Tiruppur
TN-40	Mettupalayam
TN-41	Pollachi
TN-42	Tiruppur (South)
TN-43	Ooty
TN-45	Trichy
TN-46	Perambalur
TN-47	Karur
TN-48	Sriperumbudur
TN-49	Thanjavur
TN-50	Thiruvarur
TN-51	Nagapattinam
TN-52	Sankagiri
TN-54	Salem (East)
TN-55	Pudukottai
TN-56	Perundurai
TN-57	Dindigul
TN-58	Madurai (South)
TN-59	Madurai (North)
TN-60	Theni
TN-61	Ariyalur
TN-63	Sivagangai
TN-64	Madurai (Central)
TN-65	Ramanathapuram
TN-66	Coimbatore (Central)
TN-67	Virudhunagar
TN-68	Kumbakonam
TN-69	Tuticorin
TN-70	Hosur
TN-72	Tirunelveli
TN-73	Ranipet
TN-74	Nagercoil
TN-75	Kanyakumari
TN-76	Tirupathur
TN-77	Salem (South)
TN-78	Erode (West)
TN-79	Tiruchendur
TN-81	Ariyalur
TN-82	Nagapattinam
TN-83	Vellore
TN-84	Virudhunagar
TN-85	Kanchipuram
TN-86	Erode (East)
TN-87	Sriperumbudur
TN-88	Salem
TN-90	Salem
TN-91	Ariyalur
TN-92	Tirunelveli
TN-94	Dindigul
TN-95	Trichy
TN-96	Tuticorin
TN-97	Karur
TN-99	Coimbatore

How to Find Your RTO Code in Tamil Nadu

To locate your nearest RTO code, check the first two letters (TN) and the following two numbers on a vehicle’s number plate, which indicate the district or zone. You can also visit the Tamil Nadu Transport Department’s official website (tnsta.gov.in) or the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) to search for RTO codes by district.

Vehicle Registration in Tamil Nadu

Vehicle registration is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for all vehicles operating on Tamil Nadu’s public roads. The process ensures vehicles comply with safety and emission standards.

Types of Vehicle Registration - Temporary and Permanent

Temporary Registration: Issued by the dealership, valid for 7 days (extendable to 30 days). It allows the vehicle to be driven until permanent registration is completed.
Permanent Registration: Valid for 15 years for non-transport vehicles and requires renewal thereafter. It involves assigning a unique registration number (e.g., TNXXAB1234).

Step-by-Step Vehicle Registration

Vehicle regi

Submit Application: Fill out Form 20, available at the RTO or online at tnsta.gov.in.
Document Verification: Provide the required documents (listed below) for verification.
Pay Fees: Pay the registration fee and road tax, which vary by vehicle type.
Vehicle Inspection: An RTO official inspects the vehicle’s chassis and engine numbers.
Receive RC: Upon successful inspection, a Registration Certificate (smart card) is issued within 3-7 days.

Documents Required for Vehicle Registration in TN

To register a vehicle, you need:

Form 20 (Application for Registration)
Sales invoice from the dealer
Roadworthiness certificate (Form 22)
Valid vehicle insurance certificate
Address proof (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
Identity proof
3-4 passport-sized photographs
Form 21 (Sales Certificate)
Form 60/61 or PAN card (for tax purposes)
Form 34 (if the vehicle is under a loan)

Other Key RTO Services in Tamil Nadu

Vehicle Registration

RTOs handle both new and used vehicle registrations, including ownership transfers and hypothecation updates.

Issuance of Driving Licenses

RTOs conduct driving tests and issue learner’s and permanent driving licenses. Online applications are available via sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.

Road Tax Collection

RTOs collect road taxes during registration, ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Fitness Certificate & Permit Issuance

RTOs issue fitness certificates for commercial vehicles and permits for transport and tourist vehicles.

Ownership Transfer & Hypothecation

RTOs facilitate ownership transfers (Forms 29 and 30) and hypothecation removal for vehicles under loans.

Vehicle Registration Fees in Tamil Nadu

Registration fees vary by vehicle type:

Motorcycles: ₹300
Three-wheelers/Cars: ₹600
Transport Vehicles: ₹1000
Temporary Registration: ₹50

Road Tax in Tamil Nadu

Road tax is a one-time payment for non-transport vehicles, valid for 15 years, and is calculated based on the vehicle’s cost or weight.

How Road Tax is Calculated

For non-transport vehicles, road tax is based on the invoice price:

Two-wheelers: 8 - 12% of the invoice price.
Four-wheelers: 10 - 15% based on cost brackets.

For transport vehicles, it’s based on seating capacity or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).

Road Tax Rates for Two-Wheelers & Four-Wheelers

Two-Wheelers: ₹450 - ₹2000 (depending on engine capacity).
Four-Wheelers: ₹650 - ₹850 (based on vehicle cost or weight).

Road Tax Payment Procedure (Online & Offline)

Online: Visit tnsta.gov.in or parivahan.gov.in, enter vehicle details, and pay via net banking or UPI.
Offline: Visit the nearest RTO, submit documents, and pay via cash or a demand draft.

Online RTO Services in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Transport Department offers e-services through tnsta.gov.in and parivahan.gov.in for convenience.

How to Use the Parivahan Portal

Visit parivahan.gov.in, select “Tamil Nadu,” and access services like license applications, RC status, or tax payments.

Online Payment for Road Tax & Renewal

Log in to tnsta.gov.in, enter vehicle details, and pay taxes or renew RC using digital payment methods.

Checking RTO Codes & Vehicle Details Online

Use the Parivahan portal or tnsta.gov.in to check RTO codes, vehicle ownership, or registration status by entering the vehicle number.

Registration Fees for Different Vehicle Types

Fees are consistent across online and offline modes, as listed above.

How to Check Vehicle Registration Status

Visit parivahan.gov.in, select “Online Services,” and check RC status using the vehicle registration number.

Contact Details of Major RTO Offices in Tamil Nadu

Chennai RTO Office Details

RTO Code: TN-01 (Central)
Address: 4 Anderson Road, Ayanavaram, Chennai
Phone: 044-26745959
Email: rtotn01@nic.in

Coimbatore RTO Office Details

RTO Code: TN-37 (South), TN-38 (North)
Address: Coimbatore RTO, Dr. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore
Phone: 0422-2233662

Madurai RTO Office Details

RTO Code: TN-58 (South), TN-59 (North)
Address: Madurai RTO, Melur Road, Madurai
Phone: 0452-2522222

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