The Kerala Motor Vehicle Department oversees all vehicle-related activities in Kerala. There are 36 RTOs under Kerala MVD and numerous sub-regional transport offices. Kerala MVD does not directly register vehicles in its office but assigns the responsibility to the RTO offices across the state.
Kerala MVD is a part of the Government of Kerala. It's not controlled by the central authorities. It's the sole body in Kerala responsible for providing registration numbers and certificates, approving transfers of ownership, collecting road taxes, and overseeing PUC (Pollution Under Check) certification.
Let's have a look at the main responsibilities of Kerala MVD:
Each vehicle in India has a unique registration number. Each state also has its system of codes to number vehicles. In Kerala, the Motor Vehicle Department provides unique registration numbers to each car through the RTO offices. When you buy a new car, you have to register it with your nearest RTO. Once your vehicle and documents are inspected, you are given a unique registration number.
If you are moving to Kerala from another state, you may want to transfer your vehicle to Kerala. The Kerala MVD oversees this process as well. Once you transfer your vehicle to a new RTO, you get a fresh registration number. Anyone who moves to another state for an extended period must register their vehicle with the state they are moving to.
Registration Certificate, or RC, is an important document for Indian car owners. It proves that you are the rightful owner of your car. The Kerala MVD issues registration certificates for new cars through regional RTO offices.
When you buy or lease a pre-owned car, you must transfer ownership to your name. The Kerala MVD oversees this as well. You have to download the necessary forms that prove the transfer of ownership. Once you do that, you will get a fresh registration certificate that states your legal ownership of the vehicle.
The Kerala MVD both conducts driving tests and issues driving licenses. Driving licenses issued by Kerala MVD are valid across the country. It issues both learner's licenses and driving licenses for both cars and two-wheelers. Heavy vehicles require separate driving licenses.
It's mandatory to have PUC certificates when you drive a vehicle in India. If you are caught without one, you'll have to pay a hefty fine. The Kerala MVD monitors and authorizes all agencies that provide PUC certificates.
The Kerala MVD is responsible for the collection of road tax from the citizens of the state. It also allocates funds for infrastructural development, like the construction and maintenance of roads.
e-Challans are issued against vehicles if they break traffic laws. The Kerala MVD is responsible for collecting e-Challan dues from the offenders. If someone doesn't pay the dues, the Kerala MVD takes the matter to court.
Apart from these functions, Kerala MVD is responsible for spreading road safety awareness across the state. In simple words, it's the apex body in Kerala that monitors and oversees all vehicle-related activities.
If you are a car owner in Kerala, it would make your life a lot easier to know about the MVD and how to functions. You must know how to avail Kerala MVD services when you need them. We hope this guide helps you do that. For assistance regarding other vehicle tasks like buying insurance and recharging FASTag, download the Park+ app.