Managing vehicle registration, driving licence applications, and road tax payments can feel confusing when you are doing it for the first time. The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bhubaneswar handle all of these services for residents and vehicle owners in Odisha's capital. Whether you need to register a new car, apply for a learner's licence, or find out the latest fee structure, this guide covers everything you need about both Bhubaneswar RTO offices.
Read on to find office addresses, contact details, step-by-step application guides for driving licences and vehicle registration, the full fee structure, and answers to common questions about the Bhubaneswar RTO.
RTO Offices in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar has two primary RTO offices, established under Section 213(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The table below lists the full address, contact details, and operating days for each office.
RTO Code | Office Name | Address | Contact Number | Operating Days | Hours | |
OD-02 | RTO Bhubaneswar I | Bhoinagar Basti, Acharya Vihar, Near Maharaja Cinema Hall, Bhoi Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751022 | +91-674-2540904 | — | Mon – Fri | 10 AM – 5 PM |
OD-33 | RTO Bhubaneswar II (Patia) | Sikharchandi Vihar, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751024 | +91-674-2725900 | — | Mon – Fri | 10 AM – 5 PM |
Note: Contact details and operating hours are subject to change. Always verify the latest information at odishatransport.gov.in before visiting.
Functions of Bhubaneswar RTO
The two Bhubaneswar RTOs perform the following key functions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988:
1. Vehicle Registration: Registering private and commercial vehicles, issuing unique vehicle registration numbers and number plates, and facilitating ownership transfers.
2. Driving Licence Issuance: Providing Learner's Licences (LL), permanent Driving Licences (DL), International Driving Permits (IDP), and commercial licences. Renewing and updating existing licences.
3. Tax and Fee Collection: Collecting vehicle and road taxes on behalf of the Odisha state government. Road tax in Odisha ranges from 6% to 20% of the vehicle's cost, depending on the vehicle type.
4. Permit Issuance: Granting commercial vehicle permits and inter-state permits (required for commercial vehicles that operate across state boundaries).
5. Environmental Compliance: Overseeing compliance with pollution norms and mandating valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates from authorised emission testing centres for all vehicles.
6. Vehicle Inspections: Conducting inspections to confirm roadworthiness before registration and issuing vehicle fitness certificates for commercial vehicles.
7. Traffic Law Enforcement: Collaborating with the traffic police and law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic and safety regulations. Penalising violations to maintain road order.
How to Register a Vehicle in Bhubaneswar
New vehicles must be registered within 7 days of taking delivery. [4] A temporary Registration Certificate (RC) is valid for 15 days; your permanent RC is valid for 15 years. Here are the steps:
Visit your nearest RTO (OD-02 or OD-33) within 7 days of taking delivery of the vehicle.
Collect and fill in Form 20 (Application for Registration of a Motor Vehicle).
Arrange all required documents (see the list below).
Pay the applicable registration fee and road tax online through the Parivahan portal.
An RTO officer may inspect the vehicle to verify its details and confirm roadworthiness.
Receive a temporary receipt immediately. Your permanent RC will be dispatched to your registered address within 30 days.
Documents required for vehicle registration:
Form 20 (application for registration), Form 21 (sale certificate), and Form 22 (roadworthiness certificate) — usually provided by the vehicle dealer
Valid car insurance or bike insurance certificate (mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988)
PUC certificate from an authorised emission testing centre
Identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport)
Address proof (recent utility bill or bank statement)
Age proof (birth certificate, school certificate, or PAN card)
How to Apply for a Driving Licence in Bhubaneswar
There are two distinct stages: first applying for a Learner's Licence (LL), and then applying for a Permanent Driving Licence (PDL) after holding the LL for at least 30 days.
Minimum age: 16 years for non-geared two-wheelers (below 50cc); 18 years for geared vehicles, cars, and transport vehicles.
Step-by-Step: Applying for a Learner's Licence (LL)
Visit the Official Portal — Go to the Sarathi portal ( sarathi.parivahan.gov.in ) on your phone or computer.
Select State and City — Choose 'Odisha' as the state and 'Bhubaneswar' as the city.
Fill Out the Application Form — Complete the LL application with your personal details.
Choose Licence Category — Select the correct vehicle category: LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) for private cars, MCWG (Motorcycle with Gear) for geared bikes, or the relevant transport category.
Upload Necessary Documents — Provide address proof, identity proof, age proof, and a recent passport-size photograph.
Book a Theory Test Appointment — Schedule a slot for the computer-based theory test at OD-02 or OD-33. The test is available in Odia, English, and Hindi.
Pay the Application Fee — Pay ₹150 for the LL plus ₹50 for the theory test online.
Attend the Theory Test — Appear on the scheduled date. On passing, your LL will be available for download from the Sarathi portal.
Step-by-Step: Applying for a Permanent Driving Licence (PDL)
You may apply between 30 and 180 days of your LL issue date. If you miss the 180-day window, you must reapply for a new LL.
Log In to the Sarathi Portal — Visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and log in with your LL details.
Apply for a Permanent Driving Licence — Select 'Apply for DL' and complete the application form.
Upload Necessary Documents — Provide your valid LL, address proof, identity proof, and age proof.
Book a Driving Test Appointment — Schedule a practical driving skills test slot at OD-02 or OD-33.
Pay the Application Fee — Pay ₹200 online.
Attend the Driving Test — Visit the RTO with your original documents. An examiner will assess your ability to operate the vehicle and follow traffic signals and rules.
Receive Your Driving Licence — On passing the test, your PDL will be dispatched by post to your registered address within 7 to 14 working days.
RTO Fee Structure in Bhubaneswar
The fees below are prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. All payments at Bhubaneswar RTO offices are cashless — you must pay online through the Parivahan portal.
Driving Licence Fees
Service | Fee |
Learner's Licence (LL) – issuance | ₹150 |
Theory test for LL (per attempt) | ₹50 |
LL repeat test (different vehicle class) | ₹300 |
Permanent Driving Licence (PDL) – issuance | ₹200 |
PDL renewal (within grace period) | ₹200 |
PDL renewal (post grace period) | ₹300 + ₹1,000 per additional year |
Adding a new vehicle class to DL | ₹500 |
International Driving Permit (IDP) | ₹1,000 |
Change of address in DL | ₹200 |
Smart card fee | ₹200 |
Vehicle Registration Fees
Vehicle Type | Registration Fee |
Two-wheelers (bikes and scooters) – Private | ₹50 |
Three-wheeled / four-wheeled vehicles – Private | ₹600 |
Three-wheeled / four-wheeled vehicles – Transport | ₹1,000 |
Imported bikes / two-wheelers | ₹2,500 |
Heavy goods carrier | ₹1,500 |
Heavy passenger vehicle | ₹1,500 |
Medium goods carrier | ₹1,000 |
Medium passenger vehicle | ₹1,000 |
Imported cars / four-wheelers | ₹5,000 |
Duplicate RC | 50% of applicable fee above |
Transfer of ownership | 50% of applicable fee above |
Change of address in RC | 50% of applicable fee above |
Note: Road tax is charged separately from the registration fee. In Odisha, road tax ranges from 6% to 20% of the vehicle's cost, depending on the vehicle type and use. This is paid to the Odisha state government at the time of registration.
Essential Guidelines for Visiting Bhubaneswar RTO
Register your new vehicle within 7 days of taking delivery. The temporary RC is valid for 15 days only; the permanent RC is valid for 15 years.
All RTO fee payments in Odisha are cashless. Carry a phone or laptop to pay via UPI, net banking, or debit/credit card through the Parivahan portal.
Use the Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) for all driving licence applications. The portal allows you to book LL and DL test slots, track application status, and download your LL after passing the theory test.
Apply for your PDL between 30 and 180 days after receiving your LL. Missing the 180-day window means reapplying for a new LL from scratch.
A valid insurance certificate is mandatory for vehicle registration. Ensure you have at least a third-party insurance policy before visiting the RTO. Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India) Limited offers both car and bike insurance policies that can be purchased instantly online.
Conclusion
The two Bhubaneswar RTO offices, OD-02 and OD-33, handle all transport-related services in Odisha's capital — from vehicle registration and driving licence issuance to road tax collection and permit approvals. Most services can now be initiated online through the Parivahan and Sarathi portals, saving you multiple office visits. Always check odishatransport.gov.in for the latest fee amounts and office timings, as these can be updated with changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
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FAQs
Q1: What Is the RTO Code for Bhubaneswar?
Bhubaneswar has two RTO codes. OD-02 identifies RTO Bhubaneswar I at Bhoi Nagar, and OD-33 identifies RTO Bhubaneswar II at Patia. The prefix 'OD' denotes the state of Odisha.
Q2: What Are the Operating Hours of Bhubaneswar RTO Offices?
Both OD-02 and OD-33 operate Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Verify the latest timings at odishatransport.gov.in before planning a visit.
Q3: What Documents Are Required for Vehicle Registration at Bhubaneswar RTO?
You need Form 20 (application), Form 21 (sale certificate), Form 22 (roadworthiness certificate), a valid insurance certificate, a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate from an authorised testing centre, identity proof, address proof, and age proof.
Q4: How Long Does It Take to Get a Driving Licence in Bhubaneswar?
After passing the LL theory test, you can apply for a PDL from day 30 onwards. Once you pass the driving test, the licence is dispatched by post and typically arrives within 7 to 14 working days.
Q5: Can I Apply for a Driving Licence Online in Bhubaneswar?
Yes. You can complete the application and book your test slot online at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in . However, you must visit the RTO in person for biometric verification and the driving test.
Q6: What Is the Fee for a Learner's Licence in Bhubaneswar?
The fee for a Learner's Licence is ₹150. The theory test carries an additional fee of ₹50 per attempt.
Q7: What Is the Minimum Age for a Driving Licence in Bhubaneswar?
The minimum age is 16 years for non-geared two-wheelers with an engine below 50cc. For geared vehicles, cars, and transport vehicles, the minimum age is 18 years under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Q8: Is Car Insurance Mandatory for Vehicle Registration in Bhubaneswar?
Yes. A valid insurance certificate is a mandatory document for vehicle registration under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. At minimum, a third-party liability policy is compulsory for all motor vehicles on Indian roads. A comprehensive policy also protects your vehicle against accident damage, theft, and natural calamities.
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