If you’ve ever seen a vehicle number plate like KA-05 AB 1234 or DL-3C 5678, that first part (KA, DL, etc.) is the RTO state/union territory code. These codes tell you which state or UT the vehicle is registered in. In this article, we’ll go through all current RTO codes by states/UTs (2025 update) and also share a few district-level examples.
What Are RTO Codes & Why They Matter
An RTO (Regional Transport Office) is where vehicles are registered, and driving licences are issued.
When you register a vehicle, the number plate has a format: [State code] – [District/RTO number] – [Series letters] – [numeric part].
For example:
- MH-12 AB 3456 means the vehicle is in Maharashtra, RTO number 12 (Pune)
- DL-03 CD 7890 means Delhi, RTO office number 3
These codes make it easier for traffic police, insurance companies, and motor vehicle departments to identify the jurisdiction.
State / UT RTO Codes — Full List (2025 Update)
Here is the list of all states and union territories along with their standard RTO codes:
| State / UT | RTO Code |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | AP |
| Arunachal Pradesh | AR |
| Assam | AS |
| Bihar | BR |
| Chandigarh | CH |
| Delhi | DL |
| Goa | GA |
| Gujarat | GJ |
| Haryana | HR |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP |
| Jammu & Kashmir | JK |
| Jharkhand | JH |
| Karnataka | KA |
| Kerala | KL |
| Lakshadweep | LD |
| Madhya Pradesh | MP |
| Maharashtra | MH |
| Manipur | MN |
| Meghalaya | ML |
| Mizoram | MZ |
| Nagaland | NL |
| Odisha | OR |
| Puducherry | PY |
| Punjab | PN (often PB) |
| Rajasthan | RJ |
| Sikkim | SK |
| Tamil Nadu | TN |
| Tripura | TR |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP |
| West Bengal | WB |
District / RTO Office Codes — Examples
Within each state, there are multiple RTO offices, each with its own number. Below are some examples to help you understand how the numbers work.
Andhra Pradesh (AP)
Since 2019, Andhra Pradesh has adopted a “one state-one code” model for many registrations (i.e. AP-39)
But earlier, each district had its own number. For example:
- AP-02 : Anantapur
- AP-04 : Kadapa
- AP-31, AP-32, AP-33, AP-34 : Visakhapatnam & nearby zones
Tamil Nadu (TN)
TN has many RTOs in Chennai and across districts. For example:
- TN-01 : Chennai Central
- TN-22 : Meenambakkam (for Chennai airport region)
- TN-66 : Coimbatore Central
Delhi (DL)
Delhi RTOs are numbered by area. For instance:
- DL-01 : Mall Road area (North Delhi)
- DL-03 : Sheikh Sarai, South Delhi
- DL-11 : Rohini (North West Delhi)
Kerala (KL)
- KL-01 : Thiruvananthapuram
- KL-07 : Ernakulam (Kochi area)
- KL-04 : Alappuzha
Real-World Case: Why RTO Codes Help
During a road trip across states, I noticed a vehicle ahead with UP-80 XX 1234 when I was in Rajasthan. I knew immediately it was from Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. That helped me understand their jurisdiction if I needed to file a report for a rash driving case.
Also, in some states like Andhra Pradesh, moving to a “one code for all districts” approach (AP-39) simplified administration but also removed immediate info about the specific district. Wikipedia+1
How to Use This List (Quick Tips)
- If you see a number plate, the first two letters give the state/UT.
- The next two digits (or more) tell you the RTO/district within that state.
- Use state transport department websites with this list to verify registrations.
- For SEO or blog use, you can link to:
- Internal: “Guide to Vehicle Registration Process in India”
For More Information Impact of RTO: Click Here
For More RTO Details: Check Here