How to File RTI with Delhi Transport Authority (RTO) — Driving Licence, RC Book, Vehicle Records

The Transport Department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi oversees driving licence issuance, vehicle registration, fitness certificates, permits, and road tax through its network of Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). Delhi has several RTOs across the city — each serving a specific geographic area.

The Transport Department and its RTOs are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. Citizens commonly use RTI to track delayed driving licences, get written explanations for application rejections, trace undelivered RC books, and obtain vehicle registration records for lawful purposes such as accident claims.

What Can You Achieve with an RTI to the Delhi RTO?

• Know the current stage and reason for delay in a driving licence application
• Get a written explanation for driving test failure or licence rejection with reference to the applicable rule
• Trace an undelivered RC book — whether it has been printed, dispatched, and the postal tracking details
• Obtain vehicle registration records for lawful purposes (accident claims, legal proceedings)
• Get information about permit applications (goods, passenger, taxi) and the status of pending permits
• Know the action taken on a complaint filed with the Transport Department

Where to File: The Right Authority

Delhi has multiple RTOs, each covering a specific area. Common RTO offices include:

• RTO Delhi (Central) — Covering central Delhi
• RTO Delhi (East) — Covering East and South-East Delhi
• RTO Delhi (North) — Covering North and North-West Delhi
• RTO Delhi (South) — Covering South and South-West Delhi
• RTO Delhi (West) — Covering West Delhi

File your RTI with the RTO office where your application was submitted or your vehicle was registered. If uncertain, file with the Transport Department headquarters, GNCTD.

On the Delhi RTI portal at rti.delhi.gov.in, select: Transport Department and then the relevant RTO.

Important: This is a Delhi State government function. Do not file on the Central Government portal (rtionline.gov.in). The second appeal goes to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC), not the Central Information Commission (CIC).

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Details

• Your acknowledgement number from your driving licence or vehicle registration application
• Your driving licence number or vehicle registration number (if already issued)
• The date of your driving test or the date of your original application
• The name of the RTO office where you applied

Step 2: Draft Your Application

Use one application per issue where possible. If you are asking about a driving licence delay, focus those questions; if asking about an RC book, keep those together. Mixing unrelated issues can lead to partial responses. The sample draft above covers the most common scenarios — adapt the numbered questions to your situation.

Step 3: File Online

File at rti.delhi.gov.in, select the relevant Transport Department or RTO, and pay ₹10 online. You can also submit in person or by post to the relevant RTO or the Transport Department headquarters.

Step 4: Appeals

If there is no response within 30 days, or the response is unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the Transport Department, GNCTD, within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day period, whichever is applicable. For a Second Appeal, approach the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. The DIC is Delhi's State Information Commission established under Section 15 of the RTI Act 2005.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Driving licence — delay:

1. Current status of driving licence application acknowledgement no. submitted on DD/MM/YYYY — stage of processing and reason for delay
2. Whether the licence has been printed and dispatched — if dispatched, the postal tracking number

Driving licence — rejection or test result:

1. Result of the driving test conducted on DD/MM/YYYY for applicant name and the specific reason for failure or non-issuance, with reference to the applicable provision of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 or Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
2. Whether a re-test is scheduled and the procedure for requesting one

RC book — non-delivery:

1. Whether the Registration Certificate (RC book) for vehicle registration number has been printed
2. If printed, date of dispatch and the postal tracking or docket number
3. If not yet printed or dispatched, the reason for delay and the expected timeline

Vehicle registration records:

1. Name and address of the registered owner of vehicle bearing registration number XXX as on date
2. Insurance details (insurer name, policy number, validity) and fitness certificate status for the above vehicle

Permits:

1. Current status of permit application reference number for goods / passenger / taxi vehicle bearing registration number XXX, and the reason for any delay
2. The officer responsible for processing the application and the standard timeline for permit issuance