Driving & Vehicle Services
Licences, vehicle registration, RTO offices, and motor vehicle services in Chennai.
All driving licence, vehicle registration, and motor vehicle services in Chennai are managed by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Department. Most processes can be initiated online through the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) or the mParivahan mobile app, with in-person visits required for tests, inspections, and document verification.
Official Portals
Types of Driving Licences
Learner's Licence (LLR)
Valid: 6 monthsRequired before applying for a permanent licence. Written test on traffic rules and signs.
Eligibility: 16 years (non-geared <50cc), 18 years (all other vehicles)
Permanent Driving Licence (DL)
Valid: 20 years or until age 50 (whichever is earlier), then renewable every 5 yearsIssued after a driving test at the RTO. Must hold a learner's licence for at least 30 days before applying.
Eligibility: 18 years (LMV, motorcycle), 20 years (transport/commercial)
Commercial/Transport Licence
Valid: 3 years, renewableRequired for driving taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, and commercial vehicles. Requires a separate transport driving test.
Eligibility: 20 years, must hold LMV licence for at least 1 year
International Driving Permit (IDP)
Valid: 1 yearIssued by the RTO for driving abroad. Valid in countries that recognise the Geneva/Vienna Convention. Apply in person with valid DL, passport, and visa.
Eligibility: Must hold a valid Indian DL
How to Get a Driving Licence
Apply for Learner's Licence online
Visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in, fill Form 2, upload Aadhaar, age proof, and passport photo. Pay the applicable fee (check parivahan.gov.in for current rates). Book a slot at your local RTO.
Medical certificate
Get Form 1A filled and signed by a registered medical practitioner (MBBS or above). For applicants over 40, a detailed medical examination including vision and fitness is required.
Pass the Learner's Licence test
Visit the RTO on your slot date. Take the computer-based written test on traffic rules, signs, and road markings. Minimum pass mark: 60%. LLR is valid for 6 months.
Learn to drive
Practice for at least 30 days with a licensed driver or at a registered driving school. You must carry your LLR while driving during this period.
Book the driving test
After 30 days, apply for the permanent licence on Sarathi. Book a driving test slot at the RTO. Pay the applicable test fee online.
Pass the driving test
Demonstrate vehicle control, road awareness, reversing, parking, and signal compliance at the RTO test track. If you fail, you can rebook after 7 days.
Receive your Driving Licence
On passing, the DL is approved and the smart card is dispatched by post within 2-4 weeks. You can download a digital copy via mParivahan or DigiLocker immediately.
Registering a New Vehicle
Book a slot on Parivahan
Visit parivahan.gov.in or the mParivahan app. Select your RTO (based on your address) and book a slot for vehicle registration.
Arrange documents
Sale invoice, insurance certificate, Form 20 (from the dealer), address proof (Aadhaar), identity proof, PAN card, and passport-size photos.
Visit the RTO
Bring the vehicle to the RTO on your slot date. The vehicle will be inspected and photographed. Submit all documents at the counter.
Pay fees
Road tax, registration fee, and smart card fee. Most RTOs accept online payment. Total varies by vehicle type and value.
Receive registration
Temporary registration is issued on the same day. The permanent RC (Registration Certificate) smart card is delivered by post within 2-4 weeks.
Hypothecation Removal (After Loan Repayment)
When you buy a vehicle on loan, the bank's lien (hypothecation) is recorded on your RC. After full repayment, you must remove this endorsement.
Get an NOC from the bank
Once your vehicle loan is fully repaid, request a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Form 35 from your bank. Most banks provide this within 7-15 working days.
Apply on Parivahan
Log in to parivahan.gov.in, select "Hypothecation Termination/Continuation", fill in the details, and upload the NOC and Form 35.
Visit the RTO
Book a slot and visit with the original RC, bank NOC, Form 35, and ID proof. The RTO will update the records and issue an updated RC without the hypothecation endorsement.
Receive updated RC
The updated smart card RC (without bank lien) is delivered by post within 2-4 weeks.
RTO Offices in Chennai
Chennai Central (TN-01)
Ayanavaram, Chennai 600023
Covers: Ayanavaram, Egmore, Kilpauk, Purasawalkam, Chetpet
Chennai North West (TN-02)
Anna Nagar, Chennai 600102
Covers: Anna Nagar, Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, Koyambedu, Mogappair
Chennai North East (TN-03)
Tondiarpet, Chennai 600081
Covers: Tondiarpet, George Town, Royapuram, Washermanpet
Chennai East (TN-04)
Pulianthoppu, Chennai 600012
Covers: Pulianthoppu, Otteri, Vepery, Choolai
Chennai North (TN-05)
Kolathur, Chennai 600099
Covers: Kolathur, Villivakkam, Madhavaram, Perambur
Chennai South East (TN-06)
Mandaveli, Chennai 600028
Covers: Mandaveli, Triplicane, Royapettah, Nungambakkam, Alwarpet
Chennai South (TN-07)
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600041
Covers: Adyar, Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Mylapore, Velachery
Chennai West (TN-09)
K.K. Nagar, Chennai 600078
Covers: K.K. Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Kodambakkam, Saidapet
Chennai South West (TN-10)
Virugambakkam, Chennai 600092
Covers: Virugambakkam, Porur, Ramapuram, Valasaravakkam
Tambaram (TN-11)
West Tambaram, Chennai 600045
Covers: Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Perungalathur, Mudichur
Poonamallee (TN-12)
Sennerkuppam, Chennai 600056
Covers: Poonamallee, Avadi, Kundrathur, Mangadu
Ambattur (TN-13)
Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai 600053
Covers: Ambattur, Padi, Korattur, Thirumullaivoyal
Sholinganallur (TN-14)
OMR, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119
Covers: Sholinganallur, Thoraipakkam, Perungudi, Navalur, Siruseri
Redhills (TN-18)
GNT Road, Padiyanallur, Chennai
Covers: Red Hills, Puzhal, Madhavaram, Minjur, Ponneri
Other RTO Services
Licence Renewal
Apply on Sarathi up to 1 year before expiry or within 1 year after. Medical certificate required for age 40+.
Duplicate Licence / RC
Apply online if lost or damaged. FIR copy required. Check parivahan.gov.in for current fee.
Address Change on DL/RC
Update via Parivahan with new address proof. If moving between states, an NOC from the old state RTO is required.
Vehicle Transfer (Ownership)
Both buyer and seller must apply on Vahan within 30 days of sale. Requires Form 29, Form 30, insurance transfer, and ID proof.
Fitness Certificate (Commercial)
Required for commercial vehicles. Renewed annually at the RTO after vehicle inspection.
Fancy / Choice Number Plate
Available during new vehicle registration via Vahan. Auctioned online. Premium numbers attract higher fees.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a driving licence in Chennai?
First, apply for a Learner's Licence on parivahan.gov.in (minimum age 18 for cars/motorcycles). Pass the written test at the RTO. After 30 days, book a driving test slot. Pass the practical test at the RTO to receive your permanent Driving Licence.
Which RTO do I go to in Chennai?
Chennai has multiple RTO offices. You must visit the RTO that covers your residential address. Major offices include RTO Anna Nagar, RTO Guindy, RTO Adyar, RTO Tambaram, RTO Sholinganallur, and RTO Ambattur.
How do I register a new vehicle in Chennai?
Book a slot on parivahan.gov.in, gather documents (invoice, insurance, Form 20, Aadhaar, PAN), visit the RTO with your vehicle for inspection, pay road tax and registration fees, and receive your temporary registration on the same day.
How do I remove hypothecation from my RC after loan repayment?
Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Form 35 from your bank after full repayment. Apply online on parivahan.gov.in for hypothecation termination, then visit the RTO with the NOC, Form 35, original RC, and ID proof.
Is a medical test required for a driving licence?
A medical certificate (Form 1A) is required for all driving licence applications. For applicants over 40, a more detailed medical examination is needed. The certificate must be signed by a registered medical practitioner (MBBS or above).