Telangana Lets You Register New Cars & Bikes at Dealerships — No RTO Visits Needed
In a major boost to convenience for new car and bike buyers, the Telangana Transport Department has launched a dealer-based permanent registration system that eliminates the need for buyers to visit Regional Transport Offices (RTO) or Regional Transport Authorities (RTA). This people-friendly reform comes into force across the state from January 24, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, authorised vehicle showrooms will complete the entire registration process on behalf of the purchaser. Dealers will upload required paperwork — including the invoice, Forms 21 and 22, insurance details, address proof and vehicle photographs — into the Transport Department’s online portal. Transport officials will then verify the submission, assign a permanent registration number digitally, and dispatch the Registration Certificate (RC) to the buyer via speed post.
A trial run in Hyderabad in late January showed the system working smoothly, as authorities registered a four-wheeler and delivered it to the buyer without any visit to the RTO. Officials say the shift marks one of the first instances in India where a state has fully empowered dealers to handle permanent vehicle registration on behalf of customers.
The new system applies only to personal two-wheelers and passenger cars purchased on or after January 24, 2026. Commercial or transport vehicles, including taxis and heavy vehicles, continue to require registration through the traditional RTO process.
Transport authorities believe this reform will reduce queues at RTO offices, cut processing time, and bring greater transparency to the registration process. Random inspections of dealerships may be carried out to ensure compliance and maintain standards.
