State Wise RTO Code List PDF 2026: The list of State Wise RTO Codes in PDF format for the year 2026 plays a crucial role in identifying the Regional Transport Office Code numbers assigned to both private and commercial vehicles operating within India. These RTO Codes serve as markers indicating the specific location where a vehicle is registered. Each state and Union Territory has its designated RTO code for vehicles registered within its jurisdiction, each code beginning with a distinctive number assigned to vehicles registered in India.
For instance, vehicles registered in Tamil Nadu bear license plates starting with the code TN AA 12 0729. The initial two alphabets represent the state of registration, while the subsequent two digits serve as unique identifiers. The following two numbers indicate the specific RTO Registration office location.
T
N
1
2
0
7
2
9
In cases where there is a higher influx of vehicle registrations at a specific Regional Transport Office (RTO), the last four digits of the registration numbers are extended to include up to six characters. An illustration of this number plate model is provided below:
More than one lakh new vehicles are registering in RTO offices in India daily! The registration process is very easy. However, the authorized dealers only can take portion of work to complete with respective RTO offices. So, most of the customer or vehicle owner could not know about the vehicle registration process with RTO office. In the regular practice throughout in India is after registering the vehicle only handover to customers.
Types of Number Plates in India
In India, there are distinct number plate designs for commercial, private, and government vehicles as a means of immediate identification of the vehicle owner. Currently, there are eight different types of number plates in use across the country.
Private or personal vehicles bear number plates with black letters and numbers on a white background.
Transport or commercial vehicles display yellow letters and numbers on a yellow background.
Electric vehicles for personal use feature white letters and numbers on a yellow background.
Electric vehicles used for commercial purposes have yellow letters and numbers on a white background.
Self-rental vehicles are identified by yellow letters and numbers on a black background.
New registration vehicles are issued temporary number plates with red backgrounds, typically made of paper and valid for 30 days.
Number plates for Defence Forces vehicles include an arrow mark, with black letters and numbers on a black background.
A unique number plate design is reserved for high-ranking government officials in India, featuring red coloring and the national emblem. These distinctive number plates are commonly seen on vehicles in the New Delhi area.
